Do you know how important it is to get tested for HIV?
As proud supporters of the CDC’s #DoingIt campaign, we encourage every man and woman to get tested as the first step toward preventing transmission. It is a priority and should be on everyone’s list of to-dos THIS SUMMER.
At Red Pump, we’ve been blessed to feature women all over the world who advocate the importance of getting tested and how people can protect themselves. This month, we are happy to share with you the story of Kamaria Laffrey, an international advocate, speaker and consultant working on HIV decriminalization, treatment adherence, and women and girl’s empowerment of health.
Look below, and take a moment to read how Kamaria embraces active testing, healing and inspiration by living victoriously.
Red Pump: Why is it important for women to speak openly about HIV?
Kamaria: I think that it’s important for women living with HIV because we know first-hand the issues that are being faced, what life would be like without those issues and have insight into the needs that could improve services that we currently receive (and in some places don’t). The topic of HIV is important for all women to speak about because I believe that testing is important! HIV impacts us differently than men socially, emotionally, psychologically, financially and politically. It will take a united front of women living with HIV and women impacted by HIV to truly bring about the change that we seek and cast a light on the shadow of stigma that cripples our health.
READ: Red Pump Stories: “I Have AIDS And I’m Not Afraid To Say It!”
Red Pump: How has HIV/AIDS affected your life and family?
Kamaria: I was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 after giving birth to my daughter. I had no prenatal care because I tried to hide my pregnancy during the first two trimesters while weighing the option to terminate the pregnancy. Had I never given birth to my daughter, I would have never been tested willingly because I didn’t think HIV applied to me. Twelve years later, she is still the reason I am motivated to push through days of wanting to give up, encourage people to not only know their status but empower those living with HIV to come out of the shadows and stay consistent with treatment. HIV is my life passion that is bittersweet, but I wouldn’t change a thing on this journey, as it has taught me to embrace healing, by giving inspiration (in forgiveness) and living victoriously.
Red Pump: What has been your biggest challenge as a woman living with HIV?
Kamaria: My biggest challenge has been dealing with the person who placed me in the situation to contract the virus. I self-reflect often and have recently learned that I have blocked out the emotional state I was in during that time period. Even though I have “journaled” and told my story often, I look back and realize the night that I met the man that I contracted the virus from and the day I was diagnosed. Overcoming that has meant retracing my steps. I recently created a Facebook support page to include seven people that were in my life in the lowest of times. I then took a road trip back to the city and college I lived in, walked the campus, visited the old apartment and ultimately stood in the exact spot where I met the young man for our first “date.” It was in that moment that I heard a quiet voice tell me “You’re safe now.” It was in that moment I realized that I had never felt safe due to other circumstances that occurred with me attending college and being so far from home for the first time. I know that all these years I have spent healing and being transparent so that I could educate others to prevent them from repeating a mistake that will lead them to them living with HIV.
To read the rest of Kamaria’s interview, visit the Red Pump Project.
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