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In this conversation, Alicia shares her profound journey of living with HIV, reflecting on her childhood experiences of dysfunction and domestic violence, early relationships marked by trauma, and her eventual diagnosis. Through her story, she emphasizes resilience, the importance of self-discovery, and the healing process, while also addressing the stigma surrounding HIV and the need for open conversations about sexual health. In this conversation, Alicia shares her profound journey of living with HIV, beginning with her diagnosis just months before her wedding. She navigates the complexities of relationships, trauma, and the impact of her diagnosis on her family. Alicia discusses her advocacy work and her path to become a cochair of The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), the importance of community support, and her experiences with various HIV treatments. She has also been featured in the magazine Positively Aware about health and fitness while living with HIV. She emphasizes the need for unity in the face of political challenges affecting public health and the lives of those living with HIV. 

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In this podcast, Kim shares her profound journey of living with HIV since birth, detailing her upbringing in Brooklyn shaped by her grandmother, her experiences with healthcare, motherhood, and her advocacy work. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs she has faced, including the stigma associated with HIV, her decision to start medication, and the importance of mental health support through therapy. Kim also discusses her accomplishments, including her education and the establishment of her own company, emphasizing her commitment to living fully and advocating for others in the community through The Well Project, a non-profit organization that supports and highlights the experiences of women who are long-term survivors of HIV. They use the term "Dandelions Movement" to identify and represent this unique community of women.  Kim shares her journey of living with HIV, discussing the challenges she faces daily, her aspirations for the future, and the importance of finding community and support. She emphasizes the significance of embracing life, navigating relationships, and encouraging other women living with HIV to find their tribe. Kim's story is one of resilience, personal growth, and the pursuit of education, as she aims to obtain her master's degree in social work while advocating for others in similar situations. Follow Kim's work on Instagram @perfectlyimperfect_kim and learn more about the Dandelions Movement here!

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Madalena is a very young woman. She was diagnosed with HIV in August of 2023 at the age of 21 years old. In this episode, she shares her personal journey of living with HIV, discussing her diagnosis, the impact on her life, and the importance of advocacy and awareness. She emphasizes the need for open conversations about HIV, the support from family and friends, and the challenges of managing health and relationships. Madalena also highlights the significance of mental health and therapy in her journey, as well as her aspirations for community involvement and education. Madalena is a Tik Tokker and frequent user of social media platforms, where she openly shares her HIV status and promotes awareness and prevention.

Follow Madalena's story on Instagram @mis.u.understood and TikTok @Mis.u.understood11. 

Check out Bunnie XO's podcast, Dumb Blonde Productions, here!

This podcast is brought to you by the Los Angeles Family AIDS Network

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This podcast is brought to you by the Los Angeles Family AIDS Network

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Brittany is originally from a small town in Washington State. She is a 34 year old mother of six children and lives in Los Angeles California. 

She tested positive for drugs at her birth because her mother was actively using. As a result, she was taken away from her and placed in custody with her uncle and aunt. When she was one and a half years old Brittany was taken away from them by Child Protective Services. It was found out that besides being abused physically by both, she had been sexually abused by her uncle. 

At age of 2, she was adopted by the chief of police of the town and his wife. Brittany calls his adoptive father “my rock” because of the support he has given to her during all her life, despite of differences in opinions at times. When she was 11, her adoptive parents divorced and as it happens, it was a very traumatic for Brittany. To make it worse, she was blamed by her adoptive mother as the cause of the divorce. 

She stayed with her adoptive father for some time. Brittany comments that she had the tendency to hurt herself.  Due to the duties of his adoptive father as a chief of police, there was nobody to look after Brittany during his long shifts. Brittany had to be placed in different foster homes. She was a rebel, at 12 years, she was placed in a treatment facility for difficult children; but she always found the way to run away from them. She escaped the treatment facility and being still a minor, she went to live with an 18-year-old guy. She was using drugs, having sex and doing all sort of things that a 15-year-old should not do. She was found by the police, and she was placed in a foster system, Brittany went to live to a foster home with thepastor of a church and his wife where she did not have time to misbehave, she was always at church. For one year she was with them, her foster parents did everything they could possibly do for her wellbeing, she wrote poetry and a diary to deal with her emotions. 

Brittany was diagnosed with a mental disability and addiction to substances because she was born from a drug addict mother. Then she was placed in an adult foster home where she thought she finally had found the family she was looking for; however, it did not last long, one week after she ran away and met a guy whom she was using drugs and having sex. At 19, she gave birth go her first daughter. 

She was diagnosed with HIV when she was on the 8th month of her third pregnancy. She was put immediately on a very effective treatment and reach viral suppression very quickly, and she was able to deliver a healthy baby boy. Now she has a family of four children living together, her children are negative, healthy strong and beautiful babies.

Brittany practically has gone to hell and come back. She says that she is adherent to her HIV treatment because it represents well being for her kids and herself. 

She is in recovery from substance use and sober for 8 years now. She receives medical care at UCLA with Dr. De Ville. She is going to community college; her goal is to complete higher education and help children and teenagers to overcome their traumas. She is accomplishing what once she was told she was not going to be able to accomplish. 

Brittany’s story is very intense and rough. It includes drug addiction, survival sex work, violence, rape, and sex trafficking. It also includes successes and accomplishments. It’s a story of survival, recovery, and motherhood.

Funding provided by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant and the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health,

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In this deeply moving episode of Confessions: HIV+ Women, Lori shares her powerful journey of overcoming trauma, addiction, and HIV, ultimately finding healing and becoming the mother she always dreamed of. Born in Wichita, Kansas, Lori is a 43-year-old professional with a master's degree in counseling psychology and 18 years of experience as a therapist. But behind her academic success, Lori’s life story is one of survival and resilience.

Growing up in a tumultuous home with an alcoholic, verbally abusive father, Lori’s parents divorced when she was just six. Her family moved to California, where Lori suffered years of sexual abuse by her stepfather, a secret she kept for many years. Despite these early hardships, Lori later built a career and became a mother. But six months after giving birth to her twins, Lori received an unexpected diagnosis—HIV. This news came after she had visited the doctor following a warning about Hepatitis C, but the diagnosis revealed something more life-changing.

She was diagnosed with HIV six months after giving birth to the twins. As a mother, Lori was overwhelmed with concern about possibly passing HIV to her newborns, especially since she hadn’t been tested during pregnancy since she was not considered to be “high-risk”.  Shortly after she gave birth to her twins, Lori struggled with post-partum depression and relapsed. Lori and her partner at the time began using meth again. This led to her therapist filing a mandated report and removing her children from her. Her twins tested positive for HIV while in foster care. 

 Lori worked hard to achieve sobriety and get her children back. Today, Lori is a mother to a 10-year-old son and two 4-year-old twins, a boy and a girl and her children are thriving. Her oldest son is in 5th grade and loves basketball, while her twins are excelling in kindergarten. Lori is a single mother determined to be the mother she never had, navigating life with love, dedication, and a commitment to spending quality time with her children.

Lori’s story is not just one of struggle but of strength. From childhood trauma to substance abuse, recovery, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lori has faced it all. With the support of her brother, who played a key role in her recovery, Lori found the strength to rebuild her life.

Today, Lori is open about her HIV status with family and friends, helping to break the stigma and promote the importance of medication adherence and U=U (undetectable = untransmissible). As a therapist, she uses her own experiences to empower others, emphasizing the importance of self-care, healthy choices, and resilience.

Lori’s story serves as a powerful reminder that success in education or career doesn’t shield us from life’s toughest challenges. But with a willingness to change, dedication, and the support of others, we can overcome even the greatest obstacles. Join us for an inspiring conversation about healing, love, and the strength to transform our lives.

Funding provided by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant and the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs

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Mari is a Latina woman diagnosed with HIV in 2006 at 19 years of age when she was pregnant with her first child. Mari is now 37; she lives in Los Angeles and has been living with HIV for 18 years.

Mari’s story is about how she has learned to be a mother facing multiple challenges: domestic violence in the form of verbal abuse, drug use, HIV diagnosis, incarceration, substance abuse treatment, being unhoused, living on the streets, and raising five children. A very complex task to take on for anyone.

When Mari was diagnosed with HIV, she had no methods for dealing with difficult emotions. She found a support system in Crystal, but it was not a person, she says it was crystal meth. She continued using substances for six weeks after conceiving. It was not until she was incarcerated that she started substance abuse recovery and became adherent to her HIV meds. She was released shortly after.

She has been pregnant four times and has five children. In her second pregnancy she had a set of twins. Her immediate family is composed of her husband, four girls and a boy: “the king of the house” her youngest.

Mari has worked so hard to have good control of her life and practice gentle parenting. Breaking the cycle of generational trauma is extremely hard, she comments.

For Mari, the most challenging situation as a woman with HIV was disclosure. It prevented her from accessing many services for her children because of her own self-stigmatization; however, she came up with a way to resolve this matter. She recorded a podcast episode and since then has found relief. Now she can talk freely about HIV, sexual health and other topics historically considered taboo in the Latinx community.

Breast feeding her children was something that was also robbed from her due to her HIV diagnosis. However, the guidelines have changed, and for many women with HIV, breastfeeding has become an option - after talking with their medial provider.

Mari now works as a Peer Navigator in a prestigious public university in Los Angeles. She dedicates herself to helping women with HIV, drawing from her own experience. She helps them to be comfortable in their own skin and empowers them to be adherent to treatment and medication. Mari is currently attending school to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Her goal is to become a Social Worker, and she is on her way.

In this compelling episode, Mari shares how she has resolved challenges related to HIV, how she has become a good mother, and how to blossom and thrive despite an unhappy childhood all for the love of her 5 children.

Funding provided by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant and the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs

This podcast is brought to you by the Los Angeles Family AIDS Network

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Dana is a 28-year-old white woman, born in San Clemente California, and currently resides in Los Angeles. She was diagnosed with HIV in 2018. Her biological mother suffered from substance abuse disorder and was unable to care for her. Dana was adopted by her uncle and aunt. She grew up in Hollywood Hills, an upper middle-class neighborhood. 

When she was a little girl, she was enrolled into sports, arts, photography, piano lessons, swimming, etc. Her adoptive parents were able to give her the best life possible to have a good outcome; however, she was a rebel. On her 18th birthday she was thrown out from her home. Due to circumstances related to her adoption, she did not have any sort of identification documents which caused her problems later in her life. 

She moved to San Juan Capistrano, a small city 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles, with her biological father who was a recovering addict. They did not get along well and she was expelled from this living situation. Dana came back to Los Angeles and went to live with the family of a friend from high school who was using drugs. Her friend would take her to “trap houses”, where illegal substances are sold. She ended up using substances and because of it, was kicked out again by the parents of her friend. 

She met the father of her baby in the environment of drugs. He also had substance abuse problems. They developed a special bond being homeless and united by drugs. She had her fist baby girl when she was 20 years old, but the baby was removed by Child Protective Services at the time of birth. The irreversible fact of losing her baby gave Dana the strength to seek drug rehabilitation. 

Dana learned of her HIV status in a very unusual way - she began hearing rumors from other people. By this time, she was already experiencing symptoms of the infection. Dana tells us that the manner she got infected with HIV is as odd as the way she learned she had it. Nobody in her circle of friends had HIV. She was not uncareful and she practiced safer sex. After being diagnosed with HIV she continued abusing substances for a year and a half, and shortly after realized that she needed to change her life. Dana wanted a sober man, someone to emotionally support her, to have a baby and build a family. Finding sober friends was a part of her recovery.

Dana eventually found the man she was looking for, someone who helped her to stay sober. She planned to get pregnant, and the magical moment occurred. From that time, she became very proactive in staying sober and finding the right place for her recovery. Dana has not used since. As a majority of women would agree, one of the most special and unique ways to feel connected to their baby is to breastfeed. Under proper medical advice, Dana was able to accomplish it and not pass HIV to her baby. However, disclosing her HIV status was still challenging.

 Dana’s intricate story is full of experiences with homelessness, substance abuse, and cruel rumors; but it is also full of accomplishments and successes.  Her story stresses that the components which surround her life are not exclusive to certain races nor socioeconomic statuses.  Dana was born in the rain, and she has withstood multiple storms in her life.  Thanks to the willingness to change and to have the courage to achieve her goals, the sun shines for her now and shares it in our podcast today.

Funding provided by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant and the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs

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**Tenga en cuenta que este episodio contiene lenguaje explícito relacionado con el abuso sexual y no es apropiado para niños.**

Rosario se mudó a vivir a los Estados Unidos hace tan solo cuatro meses. Actualmente vive en Oakland, Callifornia y tiene 33 años. Nació en Perú en la región de la Selva Amazónica, un pueblo alejado de la civilización. Fue diagnosticada con VIH hace 13 años. 

En este episodio del podcast “Confesiones De Mujeres VIH+”, Rosario nos revela que tuvo una infancia muy triste y desdichada. A pesar de que se crió al lado de su madre, nunca sintió el cariño y el amor que las madres usualmente prodigan a sus hijos; recordemos que la maternidad se define por el amor. 

Un día, a la edad de 10 años, oyó por casualidad una conversación que su madre tenia con su cuñada donde le contaba que había sido sufrido una violación a los 17 años y, como resultado, había nacido Rosario. Fue allí donde con mucha tristeza y desolación, nuestra protagonista encuentra una justificación del comportamiento de su mamá hacia ella. 

La expresión “la ley de la selva” nunca fue más real que en esta narración. Aquí el poder lo ejercen los más fuertes a través de laviolencia, la dominación y el machismo. La selva es un mudo de nadie. La madre de Rosario fue violada y sus padres no le creyeron. Años mas tarde, la historia se repite: Rosario sufrió una violación por parte de su padrastro a los 11 años; era aún una niña. No le creyeron. 

Ya en Lima, la capital del Perú, nuestra heroína tuvo la oportunidad de ir a la escuela y mejorar sus condiciones de vida. Su meta era convertirse en una oficial de La Marina de Guerra del Perú. Con mucha ilusión hizo los tramites y exámenes necesarios; sin embargo, no fue seleccionada. Rosario nos relatael motivo y cómo sintió que su mundo y sus sueñosderrumbaban.

Esta es una historia trágica y desgarradora que al escucharlaeriza la piel; y que al mismo tiempo nos devela la capacidadhumana de adaptarse a situaciones adversas, traumas y tragedias para afrontar momentos difíciles, levantarse de las cenizas yrenacer. 

Este podcast es presentado por  Los Angeles Family AIDS Network y producio por Kavich-Reynolds Productions. 

Producido por: Natalie Sanchez, Elia Silveyra, Francisco Valdes

Particionado por la Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud (HRSA), Poner Fin a la Epidemia del VIH y el Condado de Los Ángeles, Departamento de Salud Pública, División de Programas Contra el VIH y ETS

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Esme es una mujer latina, originaria de Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, México. actualmente vive en Phoenix, Arizona. Tiene 45 años y fue diagnosticada con VIH en el 2018 mientras recibía cuidado prenatal durante el embarazo de su ultimo hijo. Su sistema inmunitario ya estaba muy deteriorado; sin embargo, Esme no experimentaba todavía ningún síntoma. Al momento de su diagnóstico tenia 37 años.

Esme nació como resultado de una relación incestuosa de su madre, siendo aún menor de edad. No tuvo el amor ni la presencia de una madre biológica y siempre consideró a su madre como si fuese una hermana. Ella es la mayor y forma parte de una familia donde hay cuatro hombres y tres mujeres.

Cuando Esme nació, su madre era menor de edad y no estaba en condiciones de cuidarla. Por lo que la abuela tomó la responsabilidad de criarla. Para Esme, su abuela es su madre.

En la historia de nuestra protagonista se entrelazan el incesto, la desigualdad, el desdesamor, el odio y el rencor; pero también el amor que Esme tiene por sus hijos y la capacidad de adaptación.

Esme ha encontrado la ayuda necesaria para seguir adelante, así como la comprensión y apoyo de sus hijos, a quienes ha puesto en PrEP como una medida de protección para que no se infecten de VIH. Los grupos de apoyo para mujeres han sido fundamentales para sobrellevar los cambios que la infección ha traído a su vida. A partir de su diagnóstico se ha dado a la tarea de aconsejar a miembros de su comunidad a hacerse exámenes rutinarios durante ferias de salud que se proporcionan a la población y poder así detectar infecciones tempranas.

La vida de Esme, coma la de muchas mujeres latinas, no ha sido fácil; aun así, la fuerza del destino, como una energía transformadora, le ha dado el brío necesario para enfrentar los desafíos que la vida le ha presentado.

Esta es una historia que nos pone de manifiesto la resiliencia que las mujeres y, en general los seres humanos somos capaces de desarrollar para confrontar circunstancias difíciles y eventos traumáticos.

Este podcast es presentado por  Los Angeles Family AIDS Network y producio por Kavich-Reynolds Productions. 

Producido por: Natalie Sanchez, Elia Silveyra, Francisco Valdes

Particionado por la Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud (HRSA), Poner Fin a la Epidemia del VIH y el Condado de Los Ángeles, Departamento de Salud Pública, División de Programas Contra el VIH y ETS

¿Te gustó este episodio? Cuéntanos lo que piensas en nuestra encuesta de comentarios. Haga clic [AQUI]!

This podcast is brought to you by the Los Angeles Family AIDS Network