Becoming a nurse taught me how to live with HIV.

Today I got the call that I have been not wanting to receive. I have known that my father has Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's since May of 2020. It's been hard to make decisions for the person who I have felt caused me so much hurt.

When searching for support groups, I found friends of all ethnicities. However, I didn't find many from my Asian community... I encourage others to talk openly about living with HIV.

We all have baggage, we are carrying emotions we weren't meant to carry, and have allowed them to shape our identity!

Being an avid traveller, I do have extra exercise and motivation to stay adherent and loyal to my medication. Otherwise, how can I enjoy holidays or work abroad when I am not healthy?

I'm always happy to get the opportunity to attend a meeting or conference, so when I was approached with the opportunity to attend a conference virtually, I was happy to accept, especially one like the International Workshop on HIV and Women.

I just turned 51 on April 11, and I'm still here, with all the ups and downs, but fighting like the warrior that I am.

Being a Black woman and wearing the badge of honor of being strong is exhausting to say the least.

I felt that at one point in my life, there were so many things that were getting tossed at me that were built to just destroy a person. But I got through it.

What was the most impactful were the stories told by each of us living with HIV. It would not have been nearly as successful without our voices.