Soap Lake, Washington

Positive since 1990

Honestly, I’m running a little low on courage and energy to face HIV. I’ve been let go as a volunteer, due to the stigma, and even my medical case manager has discharged me from medical case management. I continue on despite all the challenges and lack of funding, resources and support. I really want to achieve a life that has some peace, balance, and a place I can call home. I’ve tumbled from place to place and have yet to call anywhere “home.” Currently (and again) I am homeless and desperate, since few understand this disease and more fear it. The only true constant and stability I can count on is the unconditional love I experience from my dachshunds every day.

 

What three adjectives best describe you?

Visionary, dreamer, hopeful

What is your greatest achievement?

Making the best of my current circumstances

What is your greatest regret?

Low self-worth and self-esteem

What keeps you up at night?

What will happen to my dogs if I die?

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

Abolish it completely to level the playing field. I’d say give HIV to everyone, but that would be cruel. Either way, I’d like to see a more level playing field.

What is the best advice you ever received?

We all have challenges, just don’t let them rule your life.

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

Have not met any yet

What drives you to do what you do?

My dogs

What is your motto?

This too shall pass.

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

The dogs

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

A dog. I know how my dogs and others’ dogs have helped on many levels in our society.