Saved By HIV

When I heard Bobbi Garcia's story, I was immediately intrigued and looked forward to meeting her. Barbara "Bobbi" Garcia has lived with HIV for 15 years. Before her diagnosis, she was a crack addict, working at a local bar where she'd also find her clients as a prostitute in Immokalee, where she moved to in 1974. She needed the extra cash to pay for her crack habit where she was spending at least $100 a day. She was spiraling out of control and after burning herself smoking crack she knew she needed to see a doctor. After a checkup and the usual tests, she found out she contracted HIV. When she found out her diagnosis in 1999, she immediately started treatment, gave up drugs and found God, who she says is everything in her life.

I've met many people who have dug themselves out of addiction. A lot of them have found religion to help with their transformation. None of them are like Bobbi though. After her telling me how far gone she was, It was amazing to see how far she had come and how much her life revolves around God. After talking with her about her life before she found out she had HIV and her life after, it seemed like HIV had saved her life. I know how that sounds, but when you think of it, if she continued with her lifestyle, who knows how long she could've had.

I was only able to spend a short time with Bobbi because she became the face of a story we did on a traveling "Faces of HIV" art exhibit. Her story goes deeper than living with HIV though. She now mentors young women who are leading a life like she was, helps with stewardship with her church (pictured above), and holds a knowledge of Immokalee that many might not have. Either way, I'll be spending more time with Bobbi in the near future. Until next time, here are some of my favorites from my short time with Bobbi.

Thanks for looking!