aging and HIV

I've learned a sex conversation before sexual intimacy is so much more than my HIV status. If a man isn't open to STD testing and condoms in the initial phase of dating, they are in denial about sexual intimacy responsibility and not boyfriend material.

Since becoming public with my HIV status just this last fall, I find myself in a place of discovery. What does my life look like without keeping HIV a secret?

I don't consider myself old at age 62 and I am aware that my decades are lessening. With family health crises and deaths in my circle of friends this season, the epiphany that life could change in an instant triggered an aspiration to live closer and be a part of my son's adult life.

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 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...

Today marks my 34 year battle with HIV! I never thought I would make it this far! Thank you to all that have helped me and taught me in this journey to be a better human being.

¡Hoy es el aniversario con mi batalla de 34 años con el VIH! ¡Nunca pensé que llegaría a vivir tantos años con esta condición humana!

I want to thank everyone that has wished me a happy birthday! Every year is a miracle to me!

¡Quiero agradecer a todos los que me han deseado un feliz cumpleaños! ¡Cada año es un milagro para mí! Me dieron máximo para vivir hasta los 28 años y estoy orgullosa de cumplir 49 años hoy.