Today, February 3, 2019 marked 12 years since I created Do Something Saturday. An outreach designed to supply basic hygiene items to homeless individuals along the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice. Many said since I was homeless myself and battling cancer that I shouldn't even try.
Over a year into homelessness on April 3, 2008, I was diagnosed with HIV at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Carson. I felt as if I was in the middle of the ocean and I was starting to sink, but I refused to give up. April 3, 2009, one year after my diagnosis and now over two years into homelessness, I asked the few friends I had to join me on the beach to celebrate and launch my Unplugging HIV outreach. Again, I was told to just give up and again I refused.
Homelessness finally ended June 29th of 2009. 29 months after it began. Looking back I recall it nearly didn't end becuase my HIV doctor refused to sign the paperwork even though he'd signed it before. Thankfully, I was able to switch doctors and clinics to get the paperwork signed before I was passed over for the apartment through not fault of my own.
Today, I'm celebrating 12 years of Project KengiKat. April 3, 2019 I'll celebrate 11 years of LIVING with HIV. My viral load is undetectable and my t-cells are well over 1200. My immune system is healthy as fuck and I have no signs of heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, kidney or liver problems. June 29, 2019 I will celebrate 10 years of surviving homelessness and recovering, as best I can, from the PTSD it has caused.
I refused to be defeated. I refused to believe that just because I was broke, sick and homeless I was no longer able to contribute. I refused to believe I was worthless and inspite of what I was told I refused to shut up, I refused to go away, I refused to be ignored or pushed aside. I fought for myself and now today I'm still here and so is Project KengiKat.
In April, I'm hoping to raise the funds needed to present my work at a national conference in Washington DC. I would greatly appreciate your support.
https://www.gofundme.com/my-life-through-my-lens