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Inspiring Stories: Young People With HIV

Born HIV-positive, Raven Lopez, now 15, has always lived with the virus that she sees as little more than a footnote in her life.

Alora Gale has been living with HIV all her life. Click here to read her story.

Living With "The Monster" (Winter 2008/2009)
"Are we going to die like those people on TV?" was the first thing 6-year-old Raven Lopez asked when her mom told her she was HIV positive. Her mom's answer, of course, was "no" -- and 12 years later, both of them are still going strong.
To read PDF, click here
In Achieve, from ACRIA and GMHC
A 19-Year-Old Man Gains Wisdom From His HIV Diagnosis (January 8, 2008)
Less than two years after being diagnosed with HIV, Carl has learned to "embrace" his HIV status.
In Washington Post
"Live Fast, Die Young": Born With HIV, a Young Man's Story of Addiction and Survival (July/August 2006)
"I have a life I want to live now," says Arlo Andrade, 19. "In the past, I didn't want to live or I feared the future. I am facing life head on.".
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Dating, Youth and HIV: From Both Sides (July/August 2006)
Interviews with Raven Lopez, an HIV-positive 16-year-old girl, and Aaron Parker, an HIV-negative 16-year-old boy.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Kenya's Tale: A Short Story for Young People on Courage, Love and Triumph Over Living With HIV (July/August 2006)
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
The Little Voice Within: A Youth With HIV Learns to Trust Life (July/August 2006)
Keith Green, now 30, recalls the two days that changed his life 12 years ago: the day he was tested for HIV, and the day the results came back positive.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
The Road to Hope Tour: Young Adults With HIV Spread HIV Awareness One City at a Time (July/August 2006)
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Thembi Ngubane: A Young, HIV-Positive Woman From South Africa Speaks Out (April 19, 2006)
Available as a transcript and as a podcast.
From National Public Radio
Profiles in Courage: Raven Lopez (February 2006)
Born HIV-positive, Raven Lopez, now 15, has always lived with the virus that she sees as little more than a footnote in her life.
From The Body
Thembi's AIDS Diary: A Year in the Life of a South African Teenager (2006)
From AIDS Diary Project
Their Unexpected Adolescence: HIV-Positive U.S. Children Begin to Grow Up (June 26, 2005)
For those who were born with HIV in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s, just surviving to the age of six was considered a miracle. Thanks to HAART, though, the past decade has given these HIV-positive kids a new lease on life -- and a whole new set of challenges to face.
In The New York Times
Diagnosed at 18: My Story (2002)
To read PDF, click here
From PositiveWords
Youth Facing Life With HIV: Kelly's Story (Summer 2001)
Diagnosed at 14, Kelly explains how HIV affects her day-to-day life.
In STEP Perspective, from Seattle Treatment Education Project
Under Lock and Key: Youth Under the Influence of HIV (May 2001)
Sheryl, 15, is one of the growing number of youth with HIV in prison.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Living With HIV: An AIDS Diploma (August 2000)
A 20-year-old recounts how she was infected at birth.
In Positive Living, from AIDS Project Los Angeles
Growing Up Positive (August 1999)
Children who have been infected with HIV for all of their lives are aging into adolescence.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Josh: Living With HIV Since He Was Four Years Old (August 1999)
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Ayisa Kennedy (August 1998)
Profile of a New York City woman who was diagnosed at the age of 19.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
The Kids Are All Right (June 1998)
Interviews with gay, lesbian, and transgender teens.
In Body Positive, from Body Positive
Kids Talk (Summer 1997)
By Annie, HIV positive at age 12.
In Women Alive Newsletter, from Women Alive
An Interview With an Orphan (Spring 1996)
A 12-year-old boy discusses the death of his parents and living with the disease.
In Women Alive Newsletter, from Women Alive

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