Behind the Likes: The Amplified Voice of HIV Advocate and Influencer Laura Thuo

Not only is Laura defying the odds but also celebrates the harmonious blend of professional success. Laura Thuo, a Journalist cum HIV Content Creator has risen above the norms and is proudly a wife and a mother of one.

Describing how she got to know her status, Laura revealed at 13 years is when she got her status disclosed. This is after she was put on ARV with no knowledge of what the drugs were. Growing up a sickly child, Laura was often on medication as diseases would creep in until a doctor decided to conduct an HIV test. Laura is perinatally infected: born with HIV which is when the virus is transmitted during pregnancy, breastfeeding

‘‘ It was crazy ,I only knew HIV from science class ”

When landing on her Social Media; Laura is vocal about her status. She goes ahead to give her followers literacy on the virus going further to answer their questions. For a while, she had suffered self-stigma ending up being depressed and stressed. Narrating having the self-degradation escalate in high school thinking of the aftermath: death. Laura speaks of how she lived in resentment towards her late mother feeling she left her with the burden. Laura went ahead to go for therapy which helped her mental status as she wasn’t in a good state advocating patients’ mental health is also key. However, Laura is subject to trolls as some comments are targeted toward her status.

Making a resound decision on the self-pity and the stigma going ahead to become a journalist. In her career path, Laura says she felt the conviction to do Hiv related work as she traversed the journalism world. In workspaces, she says she hasn’t faced any stigma as such though revealing she has met staff who had some negativity towards HIV patients. Attributing to her strong wit, Laura has conquered trolls and negativity ever since went public.

Laura is happily married and they are a discordant couple where one partner is negative. She has broken norms going ahead to have a family with both her hubby and daughter being tested negative for the virus. She counts as an epitome of those living with the virus going ahead to break the stereotypes and misinformation.