My Community

This is not just a story about illness— it's about intuition. The terrifying silence of being dismissed. And the sacred roar of deciding to save yourself.

wo weeks ago, someone (a man) asked me about a cure for HIV and if I would take it... Then argued with me (of course, because—MEN) when I said I probably wouldn't.

HIV cure work is something that is beginning to fascinate me. Having the opportunity to be in spaces where this is the topic of discussion, I have learned so much about the virus.

I choose to show up for love with open eyes, a full heart and a commitment to myself first. I've learned that the right person won't run from your diagnosis they'll stand beside you in it.

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.

I'm Carolyne Mwinamo from Kenya, a mother of three kids, one girl and two boys. I'm a mother living with HIV for fourteen years.

Hay personas que no tienen nada bueno que decir...solo criticar. Cuando publiqué sobre la vacuna del VIH, algunos vinieron a decirme que "el VIH no existe."

Some people have nothing nice to say...only criticism. When I posted about the HIV vaccine, a few came at me saying "HIV doesn't exist."

I don't know if this will ever have a part two. But I needed to share this part now. I left—not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I left to live.