How a “Death Sentence” Taught Her to Live: One Woman's Story of Living with HIV/AIDS

On this week’s episode of Flourish or Fold, I had the absolute pleasure to host Julie Lewis, the author of the book "Still Positive." Our conversation was centered on her personal journey marked by unexpected challenges and a life-altering health diagnosis. This is not just a story about HIV/AIDS, but a human story about resilience, grace, and humanity in the face of adversity.

The Unexpected Call: Julie's life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS following a blood transfusion in the 90s. Despite the devastating news, she chose to live each day with a positive attitude, focusing on being present for her children and envisioning a future she might not have.

Facing Discrimination: Julie's journey was not without challenges. From the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS to discrimination in healthcare settings, she faced it all. But Julie is a fighter. She used her experiences to educate others about bloodborne pathogens, changing attitudes one story at a time.

The Power of Advocacy: Julie's advocacy work is truly inspiring. She founded the 3030 Project and the 3030 Legacy Fund to address global healthcare inequities. Her mission? To build 30 healthcare facilities in areas with high HIV incidence or limited access to comprehensive healthcare.

Parenting Amidst Challenges: Julie's story is also a tale of parenting in the face of adversity. She emphasizes that parenting is about doing the best you can with the information and resources available. Her experience has taught her to appreciate life and find joy even on the toughest days.

The Role of Spirituality: Julie's journey has been deeply intertwined with her spirituality. She believes in the importance of acknowledging and sitting with sadness, and finding joy in the small things.

Julie's story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. It's not just about HIV, but a mother's story, a family's story, and a story about the communities that supported her.

I invite you to listen to this episode and join us in celebrating Julie's resilience and positivity. Her story is sure to inspire you, challenge you, and perhaps even change the way you view life's unexpected challenges. It's a story that goes beyond HIV, touching on universal themes of family, community, and the human capacity to find grace and humanity in the face of adversity.

To learn more about Julie and her work visit: https://www.3030project.org and https://stillpositive.com and on Instagram @stillpositivebook 

 

Here are some highlights of the episode to look forward to:

The phone call (00:05:23) Julie receives a phone call from her doctor informing her that she may have contracted HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion.

Four years of isolation (00:07:26) Julie and her family decide not to disclose her HIV status for four years to protect her children from discrimination and stigma.

Navigating stigma and stereotypes (00:11:38) Julie discusses the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS in the 1990s, including rejection from families and the intersection with homosexuality.

The fear and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS (00:12:47) Julie Lewis discusses the fear and misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS, including how people were afraid to interact with those living with the disease and the impact it had on their daily lives.

The politicization of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 (00:14:03) Julie Lewis compares the highly politicized response to HIV/AIDS in the past to the current COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the involvement of