My Cruising Vacation ExperienceI recently returned from my very first cruise. I was super nervous to go for various reasons. These reasons ranged from being stuck on a ship for 6 days to...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
This Is How Black Women FeelAmong all women, Black women are disproportionately affected by HIV and have the highest rate of HIV diagnosis in the United States. Over the years, I have seen and learned...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
What to Consider When Considering DisclosingI have disclosed my status to so many people over the last few years - I honestly remember each conversation. I am sure that many people reading this might have...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Medical Care Journey: Transitioning from Negative to Positive CareReceiving an HIV diagnosis can easily knock you off your feet and stun you. This happened to me. Once the initial impact wore off, I realized that I had settled...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Why I Shouldn't Be Afraid to Call My Doctor BackThe first time I heard the term AFRAIDS was several years before I tested positive for HIV. A friend said it was a new disease killing people. It made people...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Challenges, Advocacy, and Support for Long-term SurvivorsLiving with HIV can be a journey of ups and downs, but for those who are long-term survivors, our challenges can be different. Many of us have been living with...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Skill DevelopmentAs of lately, I have been spending a lot of time thinking about my leadership skills and how I want to continue to further grow and develop them. Upon thinking...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Fatigue Is More Than Justing Being TiredWith close to 4 decades of living with HIV, I have seen a lot of ups and downs where my health is concerned. Thankfully, the major events have been kept...Reactions0reactionsComments16 comments
Breaking Barriers to PrEP Uptake in Black WomenIn recent years, there has been a growing movement from organizations to empower and uplift Black women in all aspects of life. This is particularly true when it comes to...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Sleep, Insomnia, and Chronic ConditionsSighing with frustration, I roll over on my back and stretch. I have been laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, for a long time at this point. Looking around...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Stay Proud After PrideHave you all noticed the lack of rainbows lately? I always realize when pride season is over because I see less and less things in rainbow colors or with rainbow...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Dissecting the HIV Rate in the Black CommunityThere are 12 months in the year, but we have 16 HIV awareness days throughout the year. That is a lot of months where HIV can be brought to life...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Years of the RabbitI'm a casual fan of astrology; the coffee shop, newspaper dabbling variety. Please forgive any ignorance on my part. What I'm confident in is that my sign is a disease...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
An Unconventional Solution for HIV ReliefLiving with HIV brings its own set of challenges, including a rollercoaster of symptoms that impact every aspect of life. As someone who is journeying through this experience, I have...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
REPLAY: Post-Holiday RecoveryThe holiday season is not always filled with joy. Each year, health leaders and advocates share their stories of grief, loss, family disconnection, stress, financial strain, and stigma which can...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Latent Diagnosis: Living UndiagnosedWithout the proper testing, some cases of HIV can persist for years without obvious signs of infection. I remember waking up in the ICU with an intubation tube down my...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
HIV in "Hidden" Populations: The Unhoused and IncarceratedIn 2019, the United States government launched a campaign to end the HIV epidemic. The program focuses on proven methods to prevent new cases and provide consistent treatment to those...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
What Does Disclosure Look Like for You?To start - let's just say there is no right or wrong way to disclose, and disclosure looks how you want it to look. I want you to know that...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
How (and Why) I Took Control of My Treatment PlanI could not choose the time and place I became HIV positive. But I did decide when and why I would begin my treatment. I believe my ongoing participation in...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
A Talk With My Doc: The Importance of TrustI'm thankful for my HIV doc, Dr. Greg as I call him in writing. In person? It's more like: "Hey! How ya been?" At my most recent appointment I greeted...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments