Image
AGLM logo

Blog Talk

Submitted on Apr 29, 2019 by  Angel S.

I wonder. Then I just imagine.

Refreshing. Shouting out what takes space in the mind or heart. I am much more special than you could imagine.
My journeys, adventures, memories are mine. I am on my way to have a sleepover with Sissy. I love our time together. heart
Be watchful of stagnant or squandered moments.
Every minute of the day should consist of giving your best. From my experience; you get what you give.
When I was a child (I'm singing Pink Floyd), I loved my community, an American girl who dreamed of what I could do to give others opportunities. We did a lot of fun adventures. I noticed some kids didn't. Others had much. I didn't care, I was happy.

I met The Man in the moon. I confirmed this with siblings and cousins. I always brought imagination into everything I had been blessed to learn. Perspective of finding joy in all situations comes from this ability to see what I need while ignoring that which won't change my world. I believe we have lost sight of inner child-like approaches to difficult conversation.

I do expand my mind with books, webinars, conferences, volunteer work, helping in my community alongside Equality Florida and Second Chance Florida. I speak about HIV, AIDS, STI and STD Health, how to not put yourself at risk.

Currently I battle Lupus. It's a different battle than HIV and has apparent side effects; the remission is not here. My HIV status since getting on meds is undetectable. I was diagnosed in 1997. I started treatment in 2006 when my viral load was deadly- AIDS would set in. According to the data in 2006, T-cells under 50 gave you an AIDS diagnosis. I am truly lucky to have been tested for the virus again. I practiced safe sex and never looked back. I did not know how important care would be for my survival and future. I began taking one pill a day. At my 30-day follow-up visit I achieved an undetectable status; meaning meds were working. I have kept that status throughout the years. My T-cells are above 500. I am HIV positive. I escaped AIDS - so many have not. I worked with the forgotten and disposed of AIDS patients because I loved them and my secret was their reality. When I first heard my diagnosis, I ran. Then I wanted to help. To know what I had done to me. My first boyfriend died of AIDS at nineteen. I was devastated. I had no way to share this pain. So I silenced it.

Today I am happy to know about U=U and how maintaining an undetectable viral load, along with adherence to my meds, means I can enjoy condomless sex and not transmit HIV to my partner. Life just got a whole lot better. Thanks to science and the Prevention Access Campaign, the whole outlook on how I perceive my life and myself has been amazing to say the least. Hope you all are spreading the word. We are truly headed to ending HIV.

Truly freed,
Angel S.

Angel S. 's recent blog posts

Image

Members of The Well Project community at USCHA 2022.

Become a Member

Join our community and become a member to find support and connect to other women living with HIV.

Join now >

banner

Do you get our newsletter?

¿Recibe nuestro boletín?

Sign up for our monthly Newsletter and get the latest info in your inbox.

Suscríbase a nuestro boletín mensual y reciba la información más reciente en su bandeja de entrada.

CAPTCHA
4 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Browse Blogs by Theme

Recent Blog Posts

Our Bloggers