At age 61, I found out I was HIV positive. I was shocked to the core as I had even been celibate for many years. For a long time I rehashed whom I dated when I was younger, who could have transferred it to me. And then I decided enough! I had always been a very smart and tough girl and despite reeling under secondary infections (meningitis), a viral load of almost 800,000 and CD4 of 18, I stood up, took charge of my life and proved everyone wrong. I may have HIV, but it hasn't got me. Where I live, it is unknown and unheard of and the doctors and I had to study together. I was an enigma and I intend to be a beacon of hope for others.

Yes, there are days when the ARV's kick my butt, when I feel sorry for myself and just want to avoid people and lie in my bed. They are few and far between. I firmly believe that what happens between your ears is more important than what happens to the rest of your body.

I had aged overnight and the osteoporosis is unpleasant. But I had also learnt to eat well and be kind to myself. I still work full time as an editor of a health publication and a newspaper which I started and now had grown into a large enterprise.

I have told my children and a few very good friends. HIV is not a death sentence, it actually taught me to live a full life and returning the love I receive. And this strange body I inhabit with its quirks and aches and pains, it is but a vehicle for my spirit and with that spirit I can do the impossible. And it does not matter who gave me the virus. God has a way of making karma happen, it’s not my place to hate.

To everyone out there, let us see this not as a horrible thing which happened to us but as another stepping stone to our ultimate goal of leaving a legacy and making a difference.