St. Paul, Minnesota

Positive since 2001

When you want something you have never had, sometimes you must do something you have never done, and that may mean going somewhere you have never been. In my case, I was in pursuit of a fresh start in a new region and territory, so I launched out from sunny South Florida to St. Paul.

I was intrigued about going to the Midwest. When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of cultures, the tall skyscrapers and the excellent transportation system, which included the Metro rail. I love taking the train, which, by the way, allows me to travel back and forth within the exclusive Twin Cities (St. Paul and Minneapolis).

I got there, and within one month, I began receiving my HIV services, getting an excellent doctor and case management. I became established and found a residence for myself. It was a desire of mine to set my life in motion for new experiences. I had no idea that I was called to something greater than what I left in Fort Lauderdale.

After being diagnosed in 2001, I volunteered with much diligence at a nonprofit organization that served people who were HIV positive. I labored in the food bank, communicated with clients and sorted and hung clothing in the thrift shop. As a freelance writer, I wrote articles for several HIV/AIDS newsletters. Finally, I created and established my own column, which I called “The Clients Corner.”

I also administered Reiki to the HIV-positive clients for three months in my own practice at an HIV/AIDS fitness center. I had prior experience in Reiki for over four years at an HIV/AIDS substance abuse treatment center for clients in the program. I did that once a week with my Reiki master and mentor.

I traveled to New Jersey and went to another nonprofit organization, where I rendered free Reiki services to clients once a week for two years. I did a television interview about my story on a show from Newark’s Cablevision.

I became an advocate and now remain on the front line. I have spoken at high schools, women’s health fairs and churches. Now, I sit on the Minnesota HIV Planning Council with a voice to change things. I see myself as a rose in the desert.

So as I look back to 2001, I recall the day I was given the results, which were like a bitter lemon to me. But I was resilient and tenacious enough to sweeten it and make lemonade. I found my calling and my passion through the fight for life and beauty. I resurrected from the ashes of adversity and despair only to walk in my purpose and destiny now.

My mission is to cultivate and toil with my hands and feet in this fight and to travel doing mission trips, never forgetting where I came from as an African-American woman who is undetectable and radical.

What three adjectives best describe you?

Creative, vibrant and compassionate.

What is your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is that I raised my two children who are living with the virus.

What is your greatest regret?

Marrying my husband who purposely infected me.

What keeps you up at night?

Dreaming about what else I can do to empower myself and others.

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

The way people treat those who are infected. Stigma and ignorance still exists.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Love myself, love my creator and do good.

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?

Please! I am not stuck up by any means, but I am looking at her every day. It is Daphne Cooper.

What drives you to do what you do?

I am self-driven and self-motivated. I bounce back when I go through portals of adversity. My spiritual connection with God, my prayer life and spirituality—not religion—pushes me.

What is your motto?

God gave me beauty for ashes.

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

My medicine, my purse and my makeup.