I was diagnosed in September of 1993 at the age of 43.
If someone had told me then that I would still be here more than three decades later, sharing my story, I don’t know if I would have believed them.
Back then, HIV was a very different diagnosis than it is today. There was fear. There was uncertainty. There was stigma. There were far fewer treatment options, and many of us were losing friends, loved ones, and members of our community at an unimaginable rate.
Like many people diagnosed during that time, I wasn’t just learning how to live with HIV—I was learning how to survive it.
One of the biggest challenges for me in those early years was deciding whether to take HIV medications. To be honest, I was afraid. I watched friends take medications and suffer from side effects that were hard to ignore. Some lost their hair. Others developed changes to their skin that made them look like burn victims. It was frightening to witness, and it made me question whether treatment was the right choice for me.
What made that decision even harder was that my doctor at the time did little to reassure me. I didn’t feel supported or encouraged. I was left to wrestle with my fears on my own, wondering what the medications might do to me and whether they would really help.
As a result, I waited.
It wasn’t until my T-cell count dropped to 370 that I finally took a leap of faith and started treatment. I wish I could say everything immediately got better, but it didn’t. There were challenges, adjustments, and moments when I questioned whether I had made the right decision.
But over time, things did get better.
The treatments improved. The science advanced. I found healthcare providers I trusted. Most importantly, I learned that living a healthy, productive life is not out of my reach as a person living with HIV.
Today, I am living a fulfilling life. My viral load is undetectable, and I am grateful for the advances in treatment that allow so many of us to live long and healthy lives.
For me, being a long-term survivor has meant learning how to adapt to change, cope with loss, advocate for myself, and find purpose even during difficult times. Along the way, I discovered strengths and qualities I didn’t know I had, and I grew through experiences I never imagined I would face. Most importantly, it meant continuing to show up for life, even during the years when so many of us weren’t sure what the future would hold.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed tremendous change. I’ve seen people regain hope. I’ve seen communities come together to fight stigma and demand better care. And I’ve seen people living with HIV grow older—something many of us never imagined would happen.
As I reflect on this journey, I carry with me the memories of those who are no longer here. Friends, advocates, and loved ones whose lives and legacies continue to inspire me. Their stories are part of my story.
On this June 5th, HIV Long-Term Survivors Day, I celebrate not only my own journey but the journeys of countless others who have lived through some of the most challenging years of the epidemic. I honor those we’ve lost, celebrate those who are still here, and give thanks for the opportunity to continue living a life of purpose.
I am a survivor, an advocate, a woman of faith, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a friend, and a person who still believes in the power of community, connection, and hope.
Today, at 75 years old, I stand proudly among the many long-term survivors whose stories continue to make a difference. We are still here. We are still contributing. We are still dreaming. And our stories continue to inspire the generations that follow.
Denise Drayton is a passionate HIV advocate, educator, and long-term survivor who has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS for more than 30 years. She currently serves as Senior Program Manager at The Reunion Project, where she supports HIV and aging initiatives.
