Hi, I am 55 years old, and was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 19, way back in 1989. I grew up on the east coast and life was not easy or simple for me as a child.
I am a survivor of several kinds of abuse, for which none of us deserve no matter the excuse given. Most of my childhood and adolescence I lived on the run, ended up trafficked, in detention centers, foster care, or state care. Finally, when I legally became an adult, I thought I was free!! No more chains to bind me, no more adults to lock me up because they couldn’t understand my running and anger.
The universe, the Gods, Fate…(whichever tune you march to) had decided to bless me with another hurdle…HIV. It makes one serious fork in the road, a hairpin curve to be navigated with the utmost care. Which is what I did. All those lovely childhood lessons have made me a strong, defiant individual. Here I am more than 1/2 my life living with HIV, still navigating the road marked HIV.
I have a plethora of information. Things I have learned along the way and the challenges I have faced. I am a strong advocate for others in HIV care because I have gone through so much, faced many barriers, stigmas and ignorant people. Still to this day the stigma and ignorance is alive and well. I have struggled with my faith and even almost lost my mind along the way. I hope I can help even 1 person.
Why sologirl would like to be a part of A Girl Like Me: This is not a disease to fight alone. I would like to share my experiences, learn and grow with my girl peers so that we may all thrive, not just survive!
