I am a 67-year-old female living with HIV. I didn’t have an easy childhood. I was molested by my stepfather and to ease the pain I started to drink.
A year after that I tried heroin, which wasn't hard to do because my friends also did it. I continued to use because I used to get my drugs for free but that ultimately had a price. I was beaten repeatedly but didn’t care because the drugs always felt good.
At the age of 14— the first time I had sex— I had gotten pregnant, but I was too young to care for another as I was still a child myself. So, I decided to get an abortion. Unfortunately, I was never able to carry again. I continued to use heroin, but as I got older I needed to buy it for myself and couldn’t afford it. That’s when I went to a methadone clinic. That lasted 4 years but I needed my high, so I decided to go to pills. At this point, I didn't care if I lived or died because all I wanted was to get high, so I had no choice.
I started sleeping with men for money and that made me happy though it also turned my life upside down. I was diagnosed with HIV. Even though it was a setback, it also saved my life because I realized that I did want to live. I got myself into a program where I could take back my life.
A friend then introduced me to ASC n/k/a Alliance of Positive Change back in 2008 where I became a Peer intern. That was the greatest thing that could happen to me. I have been so grateful for all my mentors, especially Ramona Cummings. I am also grateful that I can share my story of positive change and inspire others to do the same.