Now that I have had a moment to settle back in at home and much of the hype has died down from the International AIDS Conference (IAS), I have had a lot of time to think. Many of my thoughts land in a space of gratitude because my heart remains full that I get to meaningfully engage in work day-to-day that supports positive impact on the lives of women living with HIV. I think about the women who will never tell another soul about the doctor's visits or the medication that they rely on. And let's be clear, they don't have to. Though, I always feel like I take a piece of this woman with me when I go out into the world.
You know, the one that feels like she is all on her own.
No you aren't, my girl! Look, I just went to this conference in Rio de Janeiro, where people from all of the world who care about HIV/AIDS and those of us living with it. They even have this thing called the Global Village. To me, it's the best part because it's free and anyone can come in. I really like that people from the local community can participate. But in this part, you can walk around and meet all different types of people who are living with HIV and who work in the field. All day long there are different discussions on so many different topics that matter to US! The Well Project even participated in a few. In one, we talked about menopause and HIV and another one was a collaboration with other organizations from around the world and we talked about breastfeeding and HIV. I do wish that they would bring more of the scientific-y stuff over here that is presented in a way that community gets. But, hey! I digress. Just know, you are never alone. We are just waiting on you.
It's another one who feels like she has to dim her light because of the weight on her diagnosis.
NOPE! Unh unh. It is always so encouraging, for me, to see other women living with HIV lead and get ish done. Lights just a shining. The Well Project's A Girl Like Me community is where I first connected with women from all over the world who had shared the same experiences as me. Through the blogs of other women living with HIV, I learned that I wasn't the only one who had questions about going to get tattoos as a woman living with HIV. Thanks, Jo. I learned that we could be all the things, even a nurse! Thanks, Bridgette. And I learned that HIV advocacy can come in whatever form that I choose. Thanks, Eliane. This all came from community. Every time I try to limit myself because of my HIV diagnosis, I have a reminder that there is no need to. To be able to watch my peers, live and in person, was such a joy because I usually only get to witness their creativity online. IAS made it real. To be able to sit and learn from advocates fighting this fight from all over the world, it is just so refreshing to be in a space where HIV/AIDS aren't the subject of ridicule. From the documentaries that were shared during the film screenings to the live performances on the main stage, I swear it wasn't nothing but smiles and laughter. I mean, every day ain't all rainbows but HIV doesn't have to take your light.
The one who thinks her life is over.
I mean, it's technically not. If you are sitting there reading this, then we can like 100% determine it's not. Even if you don't feel up to it today, just know that there are people fighting for you not to have to feel like that. We will continue to fight to make sure that the healthcare providers are aware of the way that the language they use when they speak to and about us matters. Just like what we presented in The Well Project's poster. There's others out there committed to the decriminalization of HIV around the world. And those making sure that we all have access to the medication that we need to live. I hope that one day we really do find the cure for HIV so no one ever has to feel like their life is over because of it. But until then, we have found the treatment that keeps us alive. We have the science to know that undetectable = untransmittable. We are learning every day through the Lifetime Survivors and Longtime Survivors communities what it means to get older with HIV. I mean, we have a chance. Thank you for doing this with me.
+ Ci CI+
