How a “Death Sentence” Taught Her to Live: One Woman's Story of Living with HIV/AIDS
“Anytime we're faced with death or a loss of life, it really punctuates just the blessing of what it means to be alive.”
"IT'S A REALLY TERRIBLE LIFE TO SIT AROUND AND WAIT TO DIE."
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
Give this episode a listen below. ⇣
On the episode, we talk about:
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 politicians and the spread of misinformation.
Facing discrimination and assumptions (00:15:56) Julie Lewis shares her personal experiences of discrimination and assumptions due to her HIV-positive status, including encounters with healthcare providers and the assumptions people made about her lifestyle and marriage status.
The 3030 Project (00:29:49) Julie Lewis discusses the origins and goals of the 3030 Project, which aimed to raise money to build 30 healthcare facilities around the world in honor of her friends who died from HIV/AIDS.
Building 31 Healthcare Facilities (00:35:08) Julie Lewis reflects on the challenges and successes of the 3030 Project, which ultimately resulted in the construction of 31 healthcare facilities in nine different countries, thanks to the support of a community of mostly women.
The Effort and Collaboration Involved (00:36:54) Julie Lewis emphasizes the immense effort and collaboration required to undertake the 3030 Project, including navigating different rules and regulations in various countries and the crucial role played by the organization Construction for Change.
The mom's story and family connection (00:38:25) Julie discusses how her book, "Still Positive," is not just about HIV/AIDS, but also a story of being a mom and a family coping with a health crisis.
Coping with trauma and anxiety (00:40:07) Julie talks about the decisions and challenges families face when dealing with a serious health issue, including managing anxiety and coping with trauma.
Finding positivity and appreciating life (00:47:00) Julie reflects on how living with a "death sentence" taught her to appreciate the small things in life and let go of unnecessary burdens, finding new ways to live and be positive.
The importance of Julie's book (00:50:09) Julie's book is discussed, highlighting its powerful story and the proceeds going towards greater health equity.
Recognizing the blessing of life (00:51:03) The host reflects on their conversation with Julie and emphasizes the importance of appreciating and enjoying life.
Promotion of online course (00:52:29) The host promotes an online course called "Flourish: The Five Practices of Highly Resilient People" and encourages listeners to check it out.
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