The inspirational journeys of people who are long-term survivors of HIV
Alora
Alora
Seattle, USA
Alora is a long-term #HIV survivor living in Seattle, United States of America. She contracted HIV from her mother and has been public about her status since 1992. Now she shares her story with us from the perspective of the virus. Photographs and story by Alora.
Her babies had failed to thrive. The doctors blamed the breastfeeding for which she had fought so diligently. She wanted the best immune system possible for them. She gave them that. That, and me.
When the children were told, they named me, like a pet. I was known as Hivvy, a monster more akin to Sesame Street than Elm Street. They dequilled me, one by one removing my spikes of fear, stigma, animosity and danger. I was rebranded, as something to coexist with, instead of wage war against. I was marked as a fuzzy little virus looking for a home, who sometimes got a little too carried away.
Stigma reaches a new pinnacle when you cannot even utter the words, “I’m missing doses,” to your doctor, afraid of yet another lecture or reminder of the possibility of your untimely death.
The kids who went missing from the clinic halls each year were reminder enough.
Alora’s mother disclosed not only her status, but that of her children, reminding the world that HIV was not a monolith of experience.
That is the funny thing about being told you are dying. It really shakes you into living.
Speaking now as myself, I have shared my story with countless school groups, church groups, online outlets and other communities. I currently serve as a Family Pandemic Crisis Manager, and I continue to advocate and support other HIV-positive folks.
I was diagnosed at six years old and was told I'd be lucky to see eight years old.
Now, my doctor visits are every six months and not weekly blood draws. I am proud that many of my life accomplishments are not HIV-related and that I worry about my children’s asthma and not their ARVs.
T a k e a c t i o n
Help us share the experience of what it is to be a long-term HIV survivor