Skip to main content

New Adventures, New Opportunities









After my diagnosis, I was searching for some support to see how young black women like me were living and surviving life with HIV. While on my search, I found a new family within a secret online group of women from all over the country living with HIV. The group is based out of Atlanta so I could meet some of the women in person.

We laugh, cry, and shout together. We support and pray with one another in our time of need. We occasionally meet up for dinner, movies, bowling, and we attend educational events in the community. We are always sharing love and support to one another in the group. 

There are always conferences for people living with HIV (PLWH). This summer I got a chance to attend my first one. Positive Living Conference held yearly in September in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I got my whole life that weekend. We networked and added new women to our online support group. I met new people just from sitting around the pool, listening to karaoke, and walking around the resort. We all need love and support when living with a chronic illness. There were a variety of different sessions you could choose from. We attended sessions on facing stigma and shame, heard from medical professionals about new treatments and ways to stay adherent to treatment. Our very own local Atlanta men's support service, THRIVE SS presented about the services their organization offers. They shared their documentary about five black men who live in the top five cities with the highest HIV/AIDS statistics among the MSM community. This documentary kept me in tears. You never know the struggles a person is dealing with behind closed doors. 

The main thing the documentary showed me was that no matter who we are or where we come from we all go through similar battles such as abuse, depression, loneliness, rejection, and fear or shame of who we are and who society says we are supposed to be. I tell people all the time f**k society's rules. I will never fit in the box people want me to be in. 

If you ever see a conference for PLWH go online and apply. A lot of them offer travel and lodging scholarships. Don't let the money hold you back from experiencing a blessing and seeking new adventures.

Remember, I love you!!!!!

Labels:

Comments

  1. Monique WilliamsOctober 14, 2019 at 9:19 PM

    I love your spirit baby. Some people will kill to have your mindset!!! Keep pushing!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KLowOctober 27, 2019 at 5:50 PM

      It starts with self. Life brought me up to this point. I had to and I wanted to do it for myself. Thank you and you keep pushing too.

      Delete
  2. KLowOctober 27, 2019 at 5:47 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Follow me along my Toastmaster's Pathway...

      I get ideas, and I run with them. Many times, without doing the proper research before executing the vision. After battling depression over my HIV diagnosis, I decided to be a public HIV Advocate. What made me decide to do this? I told myself it was to assist young black women like myself not to feel alone or ashamed because we live with HIV. Once I came out to my family and friends with my status, they were very supportive.     One day my cousin sent me an event advertising an upcoming women's group, Toastmaster club. Before this, I had seen Toastmasters advertisements and video clips, but I was always scared to go. I have a very warm, friendly personality, but if I was put on a stage and the room was quiet, I FROZE UP. The people that know me are shaking their heads like not you, Kennedi. Yes, it's true. I knew that I needed to improve my general speaking skills if I wanted be a public advocate. I had a fabulous time, and that night I joined Toastmasters...
Post a Comment
Read more

This is how it started...

       I was asked to answer a table topic question. Table Topics is an impromptu question given to you by the Table Topics Master. You have 1-2 minutes to answer the question with a 30 second grace period. My first time being called on for Table Topics I was so nervous and shaking in my shoes.     I signed up for my Pathway & set out to start my Toastmaster journey. My first Pathway was Leadership Development. I gave my first speech which was an icebreaker to my club on December 7, 2019, titled, "Who is Kennedi?"     Listen to it below...
Post a Comment
Read more

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is celebrated annually in July to honor people with disabilities and their contributions to society. As of 2024, at the tender age of 37, I am living with two chronic diseases. I'm grateful to God that I wake up each day. On my worst days, I wonder why me, Lord. Then I look back, remember what He’s already brought me through, and thank Him. Let’s all remember that not all disabilities look the same. One of my nieces saw my handicap sticker on my table and asked who was handicapped. I explained to her that not all disabilities are people in wheelchairs or visible to the naked eye. I battle with being an advocate for my new disability because I feel like I'm too young to be going through all I'm currently going through. Then, I must stop and remind myself that God still has me here for a reason. I pray that my presence helps someone else continue to fight and push through whatever they are going through. Remember, we are not alone. I'm grateful to m...
Post a Comment
Read more