Hello Village, Gang Gang, Tribe, and Family!!
I am still on a spiritual high from the WE T.H.R.I.V.E Brunch by The T.R.U.T.H. Project It was a brunch full of Energy, Love, and Spirit. In honor of HIV Long Term Survivor Awareness Day. We were celebrated to not only state that we are still here but to acknowledge that we are Thriving! We now understand that there is a whole demographic of individuals who are AGING and THRIVING with HIV. We want to thank our allies for showing up and showing us all that we do have individuals that fight for us on the same level that we fight for ourselves. There were years of diagnosis like 1988, 1992, 1998, 1995, 2005, 2000, and 1996.
Within those years we have elders, caregivers, scholars, teachers, professors, and subject matter experts who have Ph.D.'s, Bachelors, and Associates Degrees in HIV Diagnosis, Treatment, and Advocacy!! I honor and praise these GIANTS in the HIV community that sometimes don't get the acknowledgment that they deserve!! Sunday we were honored to give them their flowers!! I was asked to present at the brunch. I wondered what I would do then I thought to myself as a long-term thriver of HIV I must do something that encompasses thriving.
This is what I came up with and I want to personally thank all of you for allowing me to always show up as my authentic self. I hope and pray that this blesses you and you all have blessed me. #HIVLongTermSurvivor #survivor #thriving #ibelonghere #IAMSTILLHERE