Name: Yolanda
Age:18
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Number of years at Camp Heartland: 3 years
Dance Marathon Color Group: White
Yolanda’s Bio
My name is Yolanda and I was born HIV positive. It’s currently however undetectable. I am a freshman enrolled at Cal State University; majoring in nursing. Over the past 18 years I have been happy, sad, loved and blessed. I would like to thank all the dancers from UCLA, One Heartland, God and family for always believing in me. At the end of the October I will turn 19 and look forward to learning how I can help others just as others have helped me. I have so many great memories from camp and would like to thank them for this opportunity again. Especially all the leaders and friends have helped me through the sickness and the pain. I am now here to stay. I always say it’s not what I’m dying of it’s what I’m living with. Thank you all!
Update 12/19/11
It’s Not What I’m Dying Of, It’s What I’m Living With
Life…
Before I begin I will say my name
My name is Yolanda Marie
I’m 17
Born with HIV
I look in the mirror and ask myself how long can I hide this secret
Yet, it’s nobody’s business
But I feel uncomfortable not sharing my message
Life is a lot of pain
People judge you by what you say or do or even look like…
But before I said I’m infected could you tell?
Never in your wildest dreams
You think it can’t happen to you
But in reality it doesn’t matter it’s trying to destroy you
I’m not upset because I have this powerful thing taking over my body
I’m not upset that my birth mother gave it to me
But what I am is happy
Because I use every bit of education and do the opposite of the negativity
Anything is possible you just have to live up to the consequences
When I was born they told me I wasn’t going to live pass three
Well guess what I’m here today fighting this disease
When people hear HIV/AIDS they think this is it
Others often leave you lonely only because they fear of catching it
I laugh when I hear people talk about people because if you notice, someone knows someone infected
And yet their loved ones don’t know about it or care
It’s nothing you can cure YET
But there is treatment
My treatment isn’t only the medicine , it’s the people who’ve been there through thick and thin
I ‘ve been through millions of medicine
Seem not to do much I’ve been called the mystery child
Every time I’m in pain they can’t seem to figure it out
I call myself the gifted child because at the right time my blessings do come
I’ve gotten sick because of a dose of medicine
I know I’m strong I know my strengths & weakness
I don’t know how to end this poem
But I will leave telling you this
It’s not what I’m dying of It’s what LIVING with it
Update from 1/6/12
My new year resolution would stay focus on school & find a job . During my winter break I have been with family and friends. Trying to find a car to take back with me to Bakersfield . My birthday just passed on Dec 22 I am now 19 . The main thing I would like to point out is the beauty of life . I am very blessed with the little things I do have because one day in the end the littlest things will matter the most .
Update from 1/23/12
Camp heartland is one of the happiest place I have ever been to. Great positive happy people . I absolutely love camp because of the love , friends & some tough journeys I’ve been through with some of these campers . I love that they will give you all the answers that they can possibly answer . Great counselors, med staff , & supervisors . I love the happy tears , I love everyones smile , I love the activities , the dances , the celebrities , the pool , the beach , the great artists & arts , and the family I have grown to love the first moment I came in 09 .
New!
Hello , I would like to thank you all dancers for helping fundraise . We all appreciate you all and are truly thankful . This is my second year at the dance marathon and I had an great experience. I have seen how much dancing , the activities , all the posters and routine for the dances everyone one do , it is a lot of work so I personally am thanking you .I never would expect so many people interested in raising money by just dancing . This is a blessing , one day there would be a cure. Look forward to seeing you all!