Health challenges, specifically HIV/AIDS, affect us as people, as well as our family and social relations, causing a divide that can become permanent.

I am sharing my personal experience with this disease in the hope I can help others facing similar life-threatening diseases.

I was tested positive for HIV and was diagnosed with AIDS. At the time I didn’t feel any ill effects. I was then elected as a state representative and fell ill with seizures from toxoplasmosis, necessitating several hospital stays. My family, while supportive at first, became hostile and rejected me and my husband.

So began a downward spiral of my self-esteem and my marriage.

I was able to clear these hurdles through the loving care of my husband, a strong spiritual belief in the power of prayer and love, and food with cannabis for medicine.

My best wishes to all who need support, as we all have a lot of work to do. Yes, we cannabis!

Joseph Morairty

Hilo