As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson

LaQwanna is a beacon of light in a world too often full of darkness. To say that her testimony is inspiring is an understatement. Her story is one that is evidence that there is a God and that the Holy Spirit dwells in us to give us strength, beyond natural strength.

LaQwanna’s story begins with her experience of having been born with a severe eye disability. As a result of this, she often endured ridicule and teasing as a child. Building her self esteem was a constant battle when life seemed to throw challenges that made it even more difficult than the average teenager. LaQwanna has been able to overcome those challenges and win the hearts of so many through her amazing personality, sense of humor, intelligence and kind heart. The disability lays in the ignorance of others perception, not in the reality of who she really is.

With an amazing optimistic view on life, LaQwanna, who only recently turned 21 years old, had to console me when she told me that she was recently diagnosed as HIV positive. My heart became heavy and I did not know quite how to respond. I wanted to be encouraging, but in that moment, I was at a loss for words. I was afraid for her and for all of us. LaQwanna is handling it like a mature adult with courage and dignity. She contracted HIV through unprotected sex with a former boyfriend. It is the story we hear so often about the importance of having safe sex. Not until the truth comes knocking on your door or on the door of the ones you love, does that reality settle in to find a new conviction in your heart. Young people under age 30 are the #1 case of new HIV reports in the United States.

“HIV has no respect of person so we must respect ourselves.”

LaQwanna, who fortunately to date is still very healthy and does not need medication now uses her voice to speak out about HIV to educate others. She is becoming a powerful force in the HIV community already and was recently featured in the Dec 2008/Jan 2009 issue of “Seventeen Magazine” on page 156.

I cannot say enough about how proud I am of her. Her liberation story is one that will make us all stand up and get a grip on life. If she can smile and press forward in a positive direction, loving herself and everyone around her, so can I and so can you. She is a role model to me and I am so lucky to know her and call her friend. In the words of LaQwanna,

“Having HIV is not the worst thing that can happen to you. There are other things that are worse, so I am going to enjoy every day of my life. If I have endured everything else I have been through, I can get through this too with the grace of God!”