My name is Robin Barkins. I was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 15. When I heard the devastating news, I thought my life was over. I refused all HIV treatment. I began to use drugs and I slept around with different men and women without disclosing my status. I was angry and I wanted the world to feel my pain.
For 10 years I did a lot of demoralizing things. I kept my status a secret from the world; I even kept it from my own mother. After 10 years of running from my problems, using drugs and drinking alcohol, I began to get tired of the way I was living my life. I decided to go into treatment.
I'm currently 5 years sober! My goal is to help women and men who are suffering with substance abuse and HIV. I want to give them hope and let them know that they are not alone.
Why Robin wants to be a part of A Girl Like Me: I want to be a part of A Girl Like Me because I want to give hope to the hopeless and be a voice to the women who have not yet found their voice and to let them know that they're not alone.
