The Well Project

Soy la primera subdirectora de The Well Project y me gustaría aprovechar la oportunidad para presentarme. Me identifico como una mujer mexicana, inmigrante y una chica del sur de California desde la raíz. Soy madre de un amorcito de 3 años, esposa amorosa y amada, hermana e hija mayor. También soy sobreviviente de toda la vida del VIH.

I am the first deputy director for The Well Project and would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. I identify as a Mexican mujer, immigrant, and a Southern California girl through and through. I am the mother of a 3-year old ray of sunshine, a loving and loved spouse, a sister, and an eldest daughter. I am also a lifelong survivor of HIV.

Era 1985 y tenía 21 años cuando el presidente Ronald Reagan anunció al mundo el principio de una nueva enfermedad: GRID o inmunodeficiencia asociada a la homosexualidad, más tarde conocida como síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida o SIDA. Recuerdo específicamente haber escuchado las palabras "asociada a la homosexualidad", así que, claro, pensé que no tenía nada de qué preocuparme.

It was 1985, I was 21 years old and President Ronald Reagan announced to the world the genesis of a new disease; G.R.I.D. or the Gay Related Immune Disorder, later known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. I specifically recall hearing the words 'gay-related' so of course I thought I had nothing to worry about.

This remarkable episode in The Well Project's Leadership Exchange series features a discussion between The Well Project Stakeholder Liaison and nurse Bridgette Picou and Mariam Davtyan, a researcher and assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

This blog was not easy to write… Yes, HIV took my motherhood… Back in those times when I was diagnosed, we had no medicine. At least, I didn't have any access to treatment in Colombia, my country...

The 24th biennial International AIDS Conference took place from the end of July into the beginning of August this year, and I was happy to have been able to attend.

The 10th episode in our The Well Project Leadership Exchange series features a discussion between The Well Project Community Advisory Board member Marissa Gonzalez and The Well Project's deputy director Grissel Granados.

Tip: Can't nobody take your voice. It's yours. I mean, people always have the choice of ignoring you. But that doesn't mean shut up.

The Well Project interviews Michelle Anderson, Community Advisory Board member and A Girl Like Me blogger, for our "Spotlight: Women Making a Difference" series.