How has the North Carolina AIDS Drug Assistance Program affected your life?
ADAP has drastically changed my life. If it had not been for ADAP and my case management with Western North Carolina AIDS Project I would not be a success story today. When I was diagnosed, I was moving down a very unhealthy path. I could not afford my HIV medication; I had very little income; and I was living a very unhealthy lifestyle centered on alcohol and drugs. ADAP has healed me. I was able to get medication not only for treating HIV, but for my other illnesses (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.) as well. As my health began to improve I became more hopeful about my life. I lost 85 pounds and have kept it off for over three years now. I no longer have to take any medication other than my HIV medication. I’m now sober and healthy. Being healthy has allowed me to create a much more stable life for myself. I’ve had the same address for the last seven years. That is a huge success for me. When you don’t have your basic needs taken care of you don’t care about the medication, so creating an overall healthy and stable lifestyle is a very important part of ensuring that people take their medication. ADAP has helped me rise above the stigma of being HIV positive. I was at death’s door—literally. Now I am healed—in so many ways. My new healthy lifestyle is sustainable because I know I will be able to continue my medication through ADAP. ADAP has also changed the lives of people I love. My sister passed away from AIDS. When she was diagnosed the HIV virus in her body had already advanced to AIDS. Before she passed, she had four children—none of which contracted HIV from her because ADAP provided medicine to my sister while she was pregnant. ADAP is the reason my nieces and nephews are negative. They give me hope, and ADAP gives me hope. Interview by Blaire Benson This is one of a series of interviews highlighting the impact that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program has on the lives of people in North Carolina. If you would like to share your story, contact Claire at claire@ncaan.org. To take action to save the AIDS Drug Assistance Program from proposed budget cuts, send an email to your legislators now.
