I arrived in Washington, D.C. a few days ago for AIDS 2012. To summarize my experience in one word….Inspiring.
The women I have met are some of the strongest, most courageous and inspiring women I have had the pleasure of meeting. To meet women of different ethnicities, ages, sizes, and even HIV status working so hard to help the HIV community overwhelms me with joy. Particularly meeting women who have been positive for 20+ years gives me hope and ambition. Meeting women like myself, who are wives, mothers, educated, successful and HIV positive has been simply inspiring.
The atmosphere is here is uplifting, energetic and best of all accepting! For the first time since my diagnosis, I can freely disclose and talk about HIV without hesitation.
I am so thankful to be experiencing AIDS 2012 and am grateful for such an amazing opportunity.
My first AIDS conference was life changing. So many women proud to be HIV positive it was great I'm an African american 24 year old female from U.S new york city. Its such a hush thing that many ppl are scared to even seek help for fear someone may find out. I do what I Can but why should I have to help after infction I wanna reach those before they make the mistakes.
Kate you rock Baby Girl!!!! Meeting you and your husband was a blessing from above for sure. I too experienced A LOT of inspiration and acceptance. If felt so good to be around all of you from everywhere and knowing you "got it" when I was having a rough time with energy and pain. I am so thankful for you!!!!! I look forward to us getting together again. I can only pray I brought you as much joy as you brought to me in our 8 day stay!!! I love you bunches!!!!
Hi Katie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I only got to attend the PWN Pre-Conference on Saturday. I had to return home for work this week. I, too, was amazed to find the diversity, courage, and strength of the women I had the opportunity to hear and meet on Saturday. There is so much work to be done to help the Positive Community. I left feeling a part of something. Since receiving my diagnosis just over 2 years ago, I have not felt any real support. The support felt Saturday was awesome. Thank you to all who have paved the way for us following.
In love and light,
Lynn
Dear Katie,
that is great i wish i was there to experience the same. Enjoy you self I love you guys have been updating me every day, even when am here at home in Uganda I still feel I have benefited a lot from that.
Love to all the men and women attending the conference, U are our voices, the voices of the people who even don't know that such people exist.
Love you all