But I’m Still Here…

The Bravery of Living with HIV for Over 40 Years

March 24, 2026

By Joanna LaBelle

My journey started with a positive diagnosis for HIV in 1983. It left me thinking I was going to die tomorrow.

Stigma said if you were HIV+ that you were going to die. Society was confirming that I was going to die, too, and people were actually dying everywhere from the disease. I was thinking I was next.

I was lost trying to seek solutions, and I chose to get high with crack cocaine to forget my situation. The solution seemed good to me. I spent over 42 years trying to numb the pain of dying.

My diagnosis took a dive to every health issue possible, but I didn’t give up hope. In 2014, I can proudly say that got clean from drugs. I was convinced I wasn’t dying. Acceptance allows me opportunities to live. I let the world know that I live with HIV, not HIV lives me.

Today, my goal is to reach the newly diagnosed and let them know they can live and not die. Each day I have an opportunity to share my story with the world, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my hope with others.