When she was aninfant,Ashley Rose Murphywas extremely sick.
Murphy was born withHIV, which she contracted from her late birth mother.
I found out I was HIV positive when I was 7 years old, Murphy tells SELF.
Courtesy of Lokai
At the time I didnt understand what that meant at all, I was in grade two.
I was just very oblivious and was like, OK, so whats for dinner?
Her parents and doctors told her she shouldnt tell anybody, but Murphy didnt understand why.
I asked, Why do I need to keep it a secret?
I didnt do anything wrong.
When she got to high school, the speeches became a little more nerve wracking.
After this, her entire high school of 700-or-so kids would know she was HIV positive.
I didnt know if they were going to be mean, Murphy says.
As she made more connections and her friendships developed, she started to tell people.
And everyone was very positive toward it, Murphy says.
That doesnt mean shes never experienced discrimination.
Murphy says most of it has come from adults, not her peers.
I was placed with a woman before I started getting really sick.
Last year, she went to speak to her brothers kindergarten class about HIV/AIDS, per the teachers request.
That really hurt, Murphy says.
Its crazy because thats discrimination right there.
I was asked to speak at the school, and here I am facing it.
The reactions can be seen as an unfortunate side effect of the progress made in HIV treatment and prevention.
Not many people are talking about it now.
Murphys infection is controlled by medication, which shes been on all her life.
Its not in my blood, only in my lymph nodes and brain.
Some people also experience liver problems, but Murphy’s so far has been functioning well despite the stress.
Her mother says if this happens, she can barely function.
It’s only happened twice, though.
Her status is right there in her social media bios.
Its not really a secret.
Pretty much with anyone I meet Im really open about it now, she says.
And so I kind of took their sayings and ran with it.
