My husband is HIV negative, and has been for the last 18 years. We made our son the old fashioned way -- with pure love. My desire to parent at 33 years old was overshadowed by my diagnosis. I AM a woman living with AIDS.
On October 25, 1961, at 8:53 AM, I entered into this world a beautiful baby girl full of life and love and no expectations other than having a full, loving life. This year I am celebrating my 50th birthday. As my fourteen-year-old grandson stated, I am a half of a century years old.
I remember looking at the television thinking OMG this can't be ... I saw Ryan White and his mother and heard of their struggle just to be acknowledged for who they were as a family. I never thought that this would have an impact on my life other than hearing about it on the news. Magic Johnson and I found out around the same time!
As of December 31, 2010, the HIV Care Networks of New York State will no longer exist. The New York State Ryan White Part B HIV Care Networks' mission is to promote a coordinated community response that resulted in improved access to care and supportive services for those infected with HIV/AIDS.
On June 10, 1993, I was released from Albion State Correctional Facility for Women. "91G1505," as I had been called for the last three years of my life, was no longer property of the State of New York. The road, while hard and painful, was getting ready to take a new turn.