Southport, Connecticut

Positive since 1986

I have been HIV positive for more than 30 years, since the beginning of this epidemic.

I was fortunate to have been in an early Salk study and not in a risk group. With proper care and protocols, I am now in my 60s.

I have much to say about the years of living with HIV and the challenges of being positive as a woman.

My husband took his life. Sadly, he could not live the life he maybe would have wished for or tell us about what he needed, so he took his life. It took time for me to understand why, until I found out I was HIV positive.

I have three negative adult children, who have been well for years.

What three adjectives best describe you?

Resilient, positive, caring.

What is your greatest achievement?

Living life well.

What is your greatest regret?

Not helping the cause.

What keeps you up at night?

Nothing.

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

Making a difference.

What drives you to do what you do?

Just go on with life.

What is your motto?

Live life.

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

My dogs.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?

A lion because it is proud, strong and regal.