Today is the second day of the International AIDS Conference (IAC) and I am thrilled to be here. I have already met some amazing people and am looking forward to the next four days. One thing that has certainly stood out for me in the first few days is the number of times I have heard the phrase the “people upstairs.” These comments are referring to the researchers and scientists on the floors above the Global Village. This phrase is often said in a negative tone and makes me wonder why people living with HIV have such dislike and distaste for the “people upstairs”. Should we not be grateful...
Lovinglife101's blog
The International AIDS Conference (AIC) is less than 30 days away and I just wanted to write a quick update on what is going on. There will be some amazing speakers at the Conference: 42nd President Bill Clinton, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Bill Gates, Sir Elton John, and Whoopi Goldberg just to name a few. Over 25,000 people are expected to attend IAC. I am counting the days to when I get to meet my fellow bloggers! There are also many wonderful events happening. Here are a few I will be attending: Friday, July 20, 2012 10:00 – 17:00 Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th St., NW...
It has been quite a while since I have written and for that I must apologize. I love reading everyone’s post but sometimes do not have the time to keep up with myself. I have been working with Dr. M (my boss) at the University on a research project that tests the feasibility of delivering a behavioral health intervention for women living with HIV. The experience has been incredible and very rewarding. We are almost done with the actual deliver of the intervention - we have been doing this for the past 15 months. We will now begin looking at the data in hopes that we can write an additional...
Again, it has been a long time since I have written. I returned to work, I absolutely love my job, and I do not want to give it up. Unfortunately our, so-called, system of health care, is so complex I will have to limit how many hours I work. The fear of losing the foundation (health insurance) that keeps me alive, makes me feel trapped and powerless. I feel stuck in a system with no way out. I am currently on Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) with Medicare, Medicaid AIDS PAC Waiver (Florida), and Ryan White. There is no way off this care. There are too many eligibility requirements...
I have not written in quite some time. I seem to get caught up in my life. I think about writing but it just does not seem to happen. I even wrote it in my calendar as a dead-line “Write blog” and that does not seem to motivate me. Strange how that works! Well, enough of my procrastination and excuses no one wants to hear. For many months, I have been struggling with a question, “return to work or stay on disability?” Some days this question seems easy to answer, while other days I find myself waffling between staying and going. Let me give you a little background. I have been on Social...
I lost a friend last week; someone, like me, who battled HIV and other illnesses for a very long time. He was an amazing person who was there when you needed him. He never complained of his own ailments; he often asked, “What can I do to help you.” For those of us who have survived the early days of this pandemic, we remember. We remember what it was like to lose many of our friends. We remember what it was like when there was no hope: when HIV ravished our bodies, our minds, and our souls. We remember planning our friend’s funerals, planning our own funerals. We definitely have come a long...
I acquired HIV in 1985 from my fiancé who use to shoot dope as a teen in New York. What a gift he gave me. I spent the next few years in a drunken, coked out haze of parties and hangovers. I made a conscious choice; if I was dying (that is what I believed at the time), I was going to go out with a bang. And what a bang I made. I thought I was the only women in the world who was positive. Luckily, the HIV+ gay guys welcomed me into their support groups and advocacy efforts. Thank you guys, you are loved and missed. In the early 90's, I was involved in various fundraisers, ACT up marches, and...