HIV was transmitted to me by my mother at birth. I cannot explain to you how my transmission took place because I myself have no idea.
The stigma is real, but over time I've learned to love myself, I've started to seek out communities of people living with HIV and I've been relieved to know that I'm no longer alone.
I believe that by being open about my experience, I can help dismantle the myths and misconceptions about living with HIV. Every life has those pivotal moments, the ones that change everything.
I didn't know it would feel this good and to be honest, I am loving it! I know what I want, I am comfortable in my skin, I know that I am of the light, but I dance with darkness sometimes - and we all have that Yin and Yang.
Words have tremendous power. That dumb ass saying about sticks and stones makes sense to say to kids, because its coming from an adult perspective with the experience of having learned to deal with the pain of harsh words.
The year was 1991. I was just diagnosed with HIV. I was 18 years old and my dream was to become a marine.
All my love for you Job Corps; I've been meaning to write this blog for years!
I thank God because now there are so many places where they support us—people with HIV. The workshops they offer and the tools they provide, give us a chance to lead a normal life.
I'm constantly educating people. People that should know, don't. They grew up when the HIV epidemic started. So, I share my story because I want to help people. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HIV.
Check out The Well Project's A Girl Like Me LIVE!, an interactive, livestreaming series created to advance health and wellness education among women living with and vulnerable to HIV.