Atlanta, Georgia
Positive since 1999

I found out that I had HIV in February 1999. At first it was a shock to find out that I had it. I went to Grady Hospital, where they did a spinal tap, and afterward I was told that I had HIV. It really threw me for a loop but I knew that I wanted to live. I was told to go to the IDP Clinic where I was connected to a doctor. She and I had a real conversation about HIV. She told me many things that I did not know about the virus. One of the best things she told me was about the medication and how is would keep me alive if I would just do as she said—and I did. I’ve been taking Atripla for as long as I can remember and it has worked really well for me: no side effects and I never miss a dose.

What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is knowing that I can be true to myself and let others know that I have HIV and not be ashamed of it.

What is your greatest regret?
Not knowing about HIV when it first came out and thinking I could not get it

What keeps you up at night?
Nothing

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
Not having it

What is the best advice you ever received?
Take the medication on time, every time. It allows you to live longer.

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?
I don’t know any other people who are living with HIV.

What drives you to do what you do?
I want to live and that drives me to keep taking the medication.

What is your motto?
No matter who I lay down with, I always tell them to use a condom.

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My personal information and my life insurance

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?
I would be a bird so I could fly high.