When she first found out she was HIV positive, “denial” was her first reaction as she tried to figure out, “Why me?”   After she received her diagnosis, the challenges came and continue to come.“I am learning how to deal with situations that I used to medicate, which gave me more problems.  It has been hard accepting all of the wrong that I have done to others.  It has been hard trying to better myself, changing my attitude and my mind set and learning to deal with life on life’s terms.  I have had to learn how to love myself again and to accept other people for who and where they are.”

“Now I know that HIV isn’t a death sentence, and that I can live a happy and productive life and that doing drugs makes things worse.  God has given me a second chance at life.  I have my health and my strength and somewhat of the right frame of mind. It is important for me to stay around positive people.”

We are grateful to the client who brought her here and hopes she continues to come to COL for years to come.