battling stigma

I do not associate with victimhood. Yet, in these moments, the victimization of a careless Congress and presidential administration may leave me vulnerable with an inability to pay for medical care and manage my disease.

Help and healing are possible. It starts with one act of surrender and one conversation with someone you trust.

Estoy cansada...de la crueldad. Cansada de las mentiras. Cansada de la gente que elige no educarse cuando la verdad está aquí, frente a sus ojos.

I am tired of...the cruelty. Tired of the lies. Tired of people who choose not to educate themselves when the truth is right here.

Every time I speak my truth, I invite people into a deeper understanding of me—not just my diagnosis, but my resilience, my laughter, my wisdom, and my health.

I felt very bad. I lacked even tears to cry. I only said one thing, "Be strong, Caro." And that was when my journey started...

I would go to my clinic hiding my face and the day before visiting the clinic I didn't sleep. I kept on thinking how will I do tomorrow?? Who will I meet there?

I advocate for cure research with an open mind and open heart... Personally, I am free from the burden of needing a cure. It's a "nice-to-have", not a "need-to-have".

Sharing my stories and giving courage to others like me who can relate to some of my struggles and victories is a way I can give back to a community that has literally saved my life.

"You have HIV. HIV3 to be exact." That's what they said—HIV3. I didn't even know what that meant... No one explained it. No one softened it.