In 2009, while working at a hotel resort, I experienced a health scare.
I wasnt seeing a doctor regularly, so I visited the local health department.
This visit led to an STD test, where I was advised to get anHIV testtoo.
Photo courtesy of Eugene Eppes / Designed by Julie Bang / Verywell
I took the HIV test and learned that I was positive.
Right after my diagnosis, I was sent to prison for an extended period of time.
During my time in prison, I decided to begin a medication regimen.
In my case, access to care was available and affordable.
I was on parole and looking for housing anyway, so I decided to visit Alliance.
I didnt want to go in, because they had signs outside referencing HIV testing.
I hadnt disclosed my status to the community.
I hadnt even dealt with the process of disclosing to my family and friends at that point.
With the stigma associated with HIV, I was nervous to go in.
That was one of the many masks I was wearing.
Eugene Eppes
With the stigma associated with HIV, I was nervous to go in.
That was one of the many masks I was wearing.
But he told me I had to go in and do this for myself.
The program was Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 to 3:00.
Those times conflicted with work.
I was in the program for eight weeks and then graduated.
I was all in.
I didnt actually think I was good enough to do a job like that.
I didnt know that my lived experience could be a teaching tool for somebody.
I didnt know that my lived experience could be a teaching tool for somebody.
I connect them to re-entry services, primarily for medical care.
You have to talk to a counselor.
You cant bottle things up.
So I keep learning about myself and take a stab at be a productive member of my community.
If were not taking care of ourselves, we cant take care of others.
And we have to lead by example.
We say to our clients: Know your status.
Take your medication as prescribed.
Access to Care
I myself have experienced trials and tribulations with accessing care after being released.
Some people dont have insurance.
People who are new to the workforce might be reduced to a certain amount of services a year.
So that can become frustrating and leave a bad taste in any persons mouth.
When they say they dont want to go to the doctor, I understand it.
No one wants to go there and wait all day.
Sometimes what goes on in the waiting room is traumatizing.
The way that youre treated by a provider can be traumatizing.
There are a lot of contributing factors to access to care.
Addressing the Stigma
The stigma associated with HIV is an issue.
I dont disclose my status to everyone, because a lot of people dont wish you well.
Im letting my light shine so people can see the transformation.
Or people use your status as a weapon against you.
I just want to prove that things are possible.
The title of our organization is Alliance for Positive Change, and I really believe in that name.
Weve joined an alliance with the people in our community.
The positive change is what you make of it.
