The inspirational journeys of people who are long-term survivors of HIV
Nancy
Nancy
Los Angeles, USA
Nancy is a long-term #HIV survivor in Los Angeles. While she never expected to live long, she remains strong for her children and loved ones, and she is proud to share her story today. Photographs and story by Nancy.
When I was a young child, I had polio. I grew up with a brace on my right foot. I had a limp. With all that, and being skinny and awkward, I was laughed at. But being stigmatized for having HIV is different. You don’t grow out of HIV.
I still live with the ugly discrimination from the early days of HIV/AIDS. Nothing can ever erase those hurtful remarks even after 29 years.
I never thought I would live this long. There's a reason why those of us who are long-term survivors are here. I believe in God.
I know that I have a purpose. And I’ve learned, because of HIV, how to give to the world and how to help people.
My son, Raymond, always said when he turned 18, he was going to get a tattoo.
He came home one night, and he said, “Wake up!” He turned on the light, put his arm up and showed me my name, “Nancy,” across his whole forearm. He said that he always wants me close to him, and he doesn’t want to lose me. No shame, no embarrassment. That’s a huge honour—even though I’m still not that happy about the tattoo.
In July, after 28 years of receiving social security disability income benefits, they stopped with no warning at all.
I had to ask for money to pay my portion of rent so I would not become homeless, which is my biggest fear. My family has shown up. My son got a second job and my daughter paid my rent. I’m doing the work I need to get reinstated, but it has been a degrading, humiliating nightmare. When I’m with my granddaughters, that’s when my life is best. This is a picture of me and my granddaughter Lauren. She is my 😇 angel.
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