Twenty-Six

Twenty-Six 

By Exzavia Pearson 

Twenty-six years out of forty and I am still standing through the grace of God. Although the HIV epidemic was recognized on 5 June, 40 years ago, I have chosen to celebrate a every year on 2 December because on this day in 1995 I learned I was living with HIV.  

Therefore, each year I am thankful that God has allowed me to see another year. I have also learned to appreciate every moment of life for what it is because, not only living with HIV, but working in the field of HIV/ AIDS and watching others that can’t grasp the concept or accept also having it, has been a struggle. Therefore, I have chosen to empower, encourage, and support any individual I meet who has learned of their diagnosis or struggles with acceptance by helping them to have the willpower to move forward and do what they need to do.  

Twenty-six years living with HIV is not an easy task. I am a mother of three and a grandmother to five; two of my children were born while I was living with HIV. I have to thank God for allowing research such as PHACS & IMPAACT to come into my life because I was able to have my last two children and they do not have HIV.  

In the last twenty-six years of my life, I have seen HIV transform in so many ways through medical adherence in adults and children. Every day is a struggle, but you have to continue to push forward and remember those before you that have paved the way so that children are born without HIV and the new medications that are now available have helped a lot of individuals that weren’t able to tolerate or take all of the many pills that were first associated with HIV care.  

Today and every day I give God thanks and glory for allowing me to live another year. Moving forward, I will continue to show support and empower any individual that I meet. I would like to take time to say thanks to everyone that will take time to read this note in hope that it will inspire someone else to care and show support for individuals living with HIV.