Hello Tribe and welcome back.
Liz Martin is the author of the critically acclaimed bookStill Standing and our very special guest today.
Born in the Liberties, Dublin in 1967, Liz went to the Holy Faith Convent school in The Coombe. From a very early age she knew the importance of education and was often found tucked away in Kevin Street library with her nose in a book. At age 19, a letter arrived from Mountjoy Prison from Liz’s then boyfriend letting her know he had tested HIV positive. It is a difficult relationship but it was hard to leave. However, in 1991, she found the courage to finally leave Dublin and with the help of Women’s Aid Liz settles down in a house with a barn in a rural part of County Galway. Liz and the children are happy. During winter that year, Liz becomes ill and asks her GP to do a HIV antibody test. The results come back positive. Her world falls apart once more as one by one her children are tested until it comes to her new born baby. The GP calls him a “miracle baby” as he too returns with a negative result.
Liz reaches out toAIDS WEST, a support organisation. She joins a peer support group and finds other positive friends. Liz shares here incredible story of strength, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity during this episode.
Love,
Veda and Robbie.
Poz Vibe Podcast is a Veda Lady and Robbie Lawlor production.Big thanks to our sponsors Dublin Pride who make this series possible. We’d also like to thank The Boiler House, Man 2 Man, Gay Health Network and The George for all their help and support.
Episodes are produced by Veda and Robbie with production assistance and editing by Esther O'Moore Donohoe. Artwork, social media assets and merch all created by the fragrantLavender The Queen.