Chakena, 22
When I Found Out:
Sometime in early 1989. I was infected through my mother who was infected through my father. Even then, I still didn't understand the concept of the disease: HIV/AIDS; why my mother had passed away; why I didn't have a father; why I had to take so many medications; why I was always getting sick.
How I was infected:
I was first told at age 8 of my status. My father was infected through irresponsibility and disrespect towards his marriage.
Why I got tested for HIV:
Back in the 80s, testing wasn't first on anyone's mind. I fell ill at 3 years old. My family decided to take me to the hospital to find out what was making me so sick.
What I've learned from living with HIV:
As an already open-minded and kind-hearted person, I never had an issue with stigma. But the true moral that I've learned from my status is to not harbor my story if it can positively affect another person's point of view in regards to their health and the risks of not knowing their status.
Who I thought HIV affected before I learned I was positive:
My thoughts on uninfected people were a cross between disgust of the ignorance and stigma and shame of the wide-scale lack of knowledge.
What I want to tell young people who say HIV can't happen to them:
Do I look like HIV can happen to me? Could you tell before knowing my status? Do I walk around this Earth with a sign attached on my forehead flagging me as an HIV patient? Do you realize how tricky HIV is? If pregnancy can be so easy as having sex one time...so it is equally easy to contract this virus. Treat your health as if you are HIV positive, and I guarantee you will not be infected.
