Emerging From the Shadows: HIV Won't Get the Best of this Single Mother.

Age 32

Hometown Maryland

Current Location Maryland

Our anonymous contributor is a single but engaged mom with one teenage son. "I live life being a mother, daughter, friend ...but being me is the best! I love everyone and I always have a smile on my face", is how she describes herself. Her hobbies are going to the gym and modeling and she loves volunteering and helping others.

STMS: What drew you to the Strength of a Woman book project?

Anonymous: I believe people need to know that living with HIV isn't the end of the world, nor is it a death sentence.

STMS: Have you ever shared your story publicly before? If not, what inspired you to share it now? If so, what originally encouraged you to speak out?

Anonymous: Never ever! I decided to share my story now because I didn't have to identify myself.

STMS: What type work do you do? Does your work relate to your past struggle?

Anonymous: I just recently started a new job, it isn't related to my life with HIV, but I wish I had a job that I could help people.

STMS: What lesson do you hope readers will take away from your story?

Anonymous: I hope that readers walk away understanding that they should always be upfront with people they love and that they aren't never truly alone.

STMS: At one point in life, you must have felt like a statistic, what is it like now, knowing you’ve lived through what you thought was the worst experience of your life?

Anonymous: In some ways, it's like it never happened because other than my health regimen, I like my life just like everyone else.

STMS: Do you volunteer or work with any mission based organizations?

Anonymous: Yes, I started to volunteer sporadically but wish I could find some more volunteer opportunities.

STMS: Do you have any other books or projects in the works right now? Tell us about them.

Anonymous: No this is my first book ever but I'm praying later in my life I could be able to share my story more in-depth.

STMS: What was it like working with Stronger Than My Struggles to publish your story?

Anonymous: It was extremely hard to share my story. Writing had me in tears the whole time I was writing.

STMS: What’s next for you? You’ve shared your story, now what will you do?

Anonymous: Set goals to try to better my life and hopefully get back to where I was before finding out everything. Five years later, I'm still at home with my parents. i want my independence back.

STMS: Where can people learn more about you or follow you online?

Anonymous: I'd prefer to stay anonymous, however, if anyone wants or needs to reach me, you can through Stronger Than My Struggles and they will forward the messages to me.