Another year, another day that we live in this continuous fight on World AIDS Day. December 1 and the rest of the year, advocates around the country continue to make things happen. Many who paved the way have died from this awful condition and left their legacy of HOPE and STRENGTH to us who are SURVIVING through stigma! My words, my voice continue to get louder every year because this is my passion, this is my life and my prayer is that one day we can finally relax because there will be no more stigma, no more messed up justice system, no more medicine, no more hate because of who a person is...
Destiny123's blog
Women and girls who are living with HIV/AIDS wear many hats. We are mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, wives, caretakers, friends–and the many hats can go on and on. National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day where we observe many women and girls on their needs and values around HIV/AIDS. We want to empower women and girls to get tested and also feel SAFE. The growing numbers in women alone being diagnosed each year still remains high. I believe we should come together and see what needs to be done to get women and girls into proper care and treatment without any risk of...
Disclosing your status is very important. The laws in different states can be very tough when you don’t disclose to your partner.
During the months between March to May, prom in many states is happening!! The young girls are all excited! Shopping around for their gown, deciding what hair style they want, nails, shoes, etc. It’s such an exciting time, right?!! I remember going to prom. I had my gown custom made, it was so beautiful and I had a blast prom night!! Let’s picture ourselves going on our prom date!! I say this to say you all are beautiful in your own way. Take time to embrace the wonderful you! Dress up, let your hair down and walk with your head held high down that runway! We who live with HIV sometimes beat...
Never be afraid of your voice. We all have the right to exercise our voice!! Your voice does matter! I once was afraid to speak publicly about issues, policies, laws when it came to HIV. However once I dug deep into my life experience and how I overcame many obstacles I began to use my voice more frequently to target many audiences. We can sometimes allow other advocates or motivational speakers to "steal our voice" or our "purpose" because we are afraid of what others may say. Those who are open about their status should exercise their voice as much as possible. You lived your life, and...
The BEST person you can be is "yourself". You should never have to feel as if you have to compete against anyone. If you don't have all the answers just "Be You," and be true to yourself. It is fine not to know everything! I once felt as if I needed to have everything together, every second, hour and minute just to please someone, but I learned in my journey called LIFE that it was ok just to be "myself" and if I didn't know, I honestly just didn't know. We all have different walks of life. Some advance faster than others but if we all learn to just stay in our own lanes then things can get...
Have you ever just wanted to take a break? Being an advocate, our work can become very overwhelming and lonely and our brains are in overdrive. This year I decided to take a break because I was drained. I was pouring so much of myself out but wasn't receiving anything within…like a peace of mind. Advocacy work can be fun, exciting, rewarding and most of all empowering! I enjoy helping getting the message out. My kids always say I'm "saving the world," and it is a wonderful feeling to know that we can work together to make a difference in the lives of others. Everyone's work is different from...
The last couple of weeks I have been weighted down with so much heaviness on my shoulders I didn't know which direction I was headed. Have you ever felt like you just couldn't take life anymore? Wanted to just say "I quit"?!!!! Yes, I too feel that way sometimes. Living with HIV we have our good days and bad days. Every time someone would ask me how I feel or how I'm doing, my response is “I'm fine". I'm learning more and more that it's really ok NOT to be ok!! Sometimes you have to take a little break and focus on who you really are as a human being. It's ok to have hang ups, it's ok to be...
Who are WE? We are a Mother, daughter, friend, wife, aunt, sister different age and Nationalities. National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day set aside to empower every woman worldwide who's living with HIV/AIDS.
You know I always say I want to do so much more!!! Don't we all say that? We get excited about what we want to accomplish then somehow we get comfortable and not do it!!! That's me at times!!!