How HIV Changed My Life: Susan’s Story of Hope

Hey, bold readers, grab your fave latte or chai and find your encouragement this week in this story. 

Let’s be honest: when we hear someone has HIV (Human Immune Virus), we experience a whirlwind of emotions. Whether it’s friends, family and, or neighbors, many of us feel some type of way. 

Some are empathetic, others curious about how it happened, and some are straight judgmental. Today, though, I would like you to reserve all your opinions and judgments as we dive into the story of one of our bold ladies who was recently diagnosed with HIV. 

Susan’s story opened my eyes, especially when she shared some of the lessons she has learned on her journey. Living with HIV is not easy. As she states, you have to be strong and courageous, which is exactly what she embodies when I interacted with her.  

For many people, living with HIV has brought pain, isolation, and shame. The physical and emotional challenges can feel insurmountable, leaving some feeling as if their lives are shattered. 

But Susan shows us that there’s another way. She tells me she is a testimony that even in the worst of times, God is still faithful and is the friend who sticks closer. 

It was Him who kept her when she got sick at home, feeling like the night would linger forever, yet morning eventually came. 

Truly, there is a God who cares.

She understands what it’s like to be judged, to feel alone and rejected. But she also knows what it’s like to be embraced by God’s love. “I am loved and forgiven, and I’ve accepted that this chapter will always be part of my journey,” she says. 

She reminds us that, much like everyone else, we all have pages in our lives we might want to forget. However, each page is a part of our story, and we can embrace them, knowing that a new chapter is always waiting. 

Susan’s journey gives her joy in knowing she is loved—not because of her own perfection, but because of God’s mercy. She wants others to know that Jesus has already taken away their shame, too. 

Her diagnosis also changed her relationships; her family drew closer, surrounding her with support, while some friends and community members distanced themselves, not wanting to be seen with her. 

This kind of isolation is real and hit her hard, but Susan can only chuckle when she recalls it now. She is forever grateful to her sisters, who became her biggest support.

The first time I saw Susan was in a YouTube interview, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to feature her story. 

One early morning, I reached out, hoping to catch her before the day got busy. As soon as she picked up, I could feel her warmth and courage.  

From 2018 to 2019, Susan often felt sick but avoided going to the doctor. She then noticed the sudden weight and hair loss and decided it was time to seek medical advice—though she hesitated. 

Being someone who cares deeply about herself, she decided to check on her health. She googled potential symptoms and found that they pointed to either stomach cancer or HIV.

She was motivated since she had seen other activists talk about living positively, so she knew if it were HIV, then she would make it by following the their guidance. 

One of her symptoms was hair loss, but Susan has since managed to turn her experience into a story of strength.

When the hospital tests revealed she had HIV on January 16^th, 2019, her sisters were devastated, but Susan held herself together. 

Choosing to start treatment immediately, she processed everything at home in her way. 

One time, she shared in confidence with her salonist that HIV caused her hair loss, but the salonist exposed her to the people around the community, and that was Susan’s turning point. 

Instead of hiding, she embraced her status and boldly owned the story.  Susan bravely told her family the truth before they could hear it from others. 

As expected, some friends began to distance themselves, which was painful. 

Little by little, Susan became a voice in the community. 

People started reaching out to her, needing someone to talk to, and she felt the pull to be there for them. 

In 2020, a year after her diagnosis, she publicly shared her story in an interview. This moment marked a full year of strength and resilience and allowed her to find a new purpose. 

Since then, Susan has inspired many to see HIV differently. 

She trained as a counselor under (LVCT-Health Kenya) and started encouraging others to seek treatment and care. She also founded (Graced Outreach Community Based Organization) which focuses on HIV-AIDS sensitization and awareness in Kajiado County in January 2024.

Now, she encourages women and people affected by HIV/AIDS, irrespective of their gender, to make their own money and become financially stable to support themselves. 

She tells me you have to eat healthy meals, which are cheap as long as you follow a balanced diet. 

Food can be found at an affordable price. Still, the biggest challenge is that due to the current economic crisis in Kenya, most PLWHIV(People Living With HIV) do not have a source of employment, and given the ARVs are strong, such people are struggling with taking medication on an empty stomach. 

Most of them end up not taking their medication. This is a medical hazard because then they relapse, and the virus mutates to something stronger, which may result in new infections, re-infections, or even fatalities if not taken care of. 

Susan is also a jack of all trades dealing in skincare and cosmetics products. She also runs errands for people who are extra busy. When she is not working, you will find her counseling people or advocating for those living with HIV.

She hopes to open an advocacy organization in South Sudan, where she feels passionate about making a difference. 

She believes there is much work to be done regarding people living with HIV (PLWHIV), and her passion lies in changing lives for the better, particularly in addressing HIV/AIDS-related stigma.

Susan’s story is one of courage, hope, and faith. Through her journey, she shows us that even when life is hard, we can find strength. It’s a story of how a challenging situation led her to discover her life’s purpose in serving others.

She realized that her pain was a solution and comfort to someone else; as 2 Corinthians 1:4 says

“…who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

For those who may be going through this, Susan wants you to know that she understands the weight of the condition. She knows what it is to be rejected, isolated, and judged, but she also knows what it is to be embraced. Own your journey, and do not let this chapter of your life define your entire life.

There is life after testing HIV positive. It is all about self-acceptance, self-awareness, and self-love.

Always know you are, because that is what you attract. If you are miserable, you will attract misery. You have the power in your hands to change your story.

Above all, forgiveness to oneself and even the person who might have exposed you and letting go is the greatest path towards healing, recovery, and living a healthy, positive life.