I know a lot of people don't respect mental illness, they think it's controllable or all in your head, but I know that that's not the reality. I've struggled with mental health issues of some kind for...
The flood gates have opened and I've FINALLY had the opportunity to attend USCHA, something I've longed for since shortly after my diagnosis in 2016.
I remember attending USCHA in 2016 and feeling out of place, unsure of my next moves, and feeling defeated in all aspects of my life. I remember being ready to give up and walk away from HIV work FOREVER (please insert Cardi B voice) because I just didn't think I had anything left to offer.
Let's talk about it! Y'all. after four and a half years of being an advocate and educating myself on HIV since I was diagnosed, I finally got to go to my very first in-person conference.
As we celebrate this very important Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, I think about how far we have come, but I also think about so many things that remain the same in our communities in the United States and Latin America.
Al celebrar este importantísimo Día De Concientización sobre el SIDA entre Latinx, pienso en lo lejos que hemos llegado, pero también pienso en tantas cosas que siguen siendo igual en nuestras comunidades en los Estados Unidos y América Latina.
Soy la primera subdirectora de The Well Project y me gustaría aprovechar la oportunidad para presentarme. Me identifico como una mujer mexicana, inmigrante y una chica del sur de California desde la raíz. Soy madre de un amorcito de 3 años, esposa amorosa y amada, hermana e hija mayor. También soy sobreviviente de toda la vida del VIH.
I am the first deputy director for The Well Project and would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. I identify as a Mexican mujer, immigrant, and a Southern California girl through and through. I am the mother of a 3-year old ray of sunshine, a loving and loved spouse, a sister, and an eldest daughter. I am also a lifelong survivor of HIV.
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.