Canton, Ohio
Positive since 2014

I was diagnosed on March 27, 2014. A nurse from the health department knocked on my door. She said that my name was given by someone who tested positive. We sat at my dining room table and took a home HIV test. It came back  positive.

I’m not going to lie; I had an idea I was positive. My ex-partner of seven years told me he was positive after we broke up. He also told me he had cheated on me with over 35 guys.

But I’m not here to talk about that. This is my story. After that day in March, I feel like I started to live. I’m being me. Sometimes I like to just get in the car and drive. I’m from Ohio and I’ve driven to Pittsburgh twice. Put $10 in your gas tank and drive with the windows down and the music up, and sing your favorite song all by yourself. It’s amazing to enjoy the little things life has to offer.

What three adjectives best describe you?
Fun, energetic and busy

What is your greatest achievement?
Getting to know me

What is your greatest regret?
Not traveling

What keeps you up at night?
Loneliness

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
Everything

What is the best advice you ever received?
Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.

What drives you to do what you do?
My family

What is your motto?
YOLO—you only live once

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My little brother and nephew

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Dolphin