A child of Peruvian immigrants, Fosca, who grew up in Arizona, visited Peru when she was 10 years old. It was her first, indelible, look at real poverty. After college, she joined the Peace Corps and served in Nigeria. "I decided that though HIV may one day kill me physically, I would not allow it to kill me spiritually, psychologically or emotionally," Fosca said. "I made a choice that day that HIV was not going to stop me."
Nigeria RPCV Jeannine Fosca of Everett has lived with AIDS for almost 10 years
AIDS is woman's lifework
By Kristi O'Harran
Herald Columnist
Photo:Kevin Nortz / The Herald
Jeannine Fosca, 39, of Everett has lived with AIDS for nearly 10 years. But she said it doesn't weigh her down.
"I lead a healthy life," Fosca said. "I believe I'll live to be an old lady."
Along the way, she'll talk about her journey via Alive With AIDS, an organization she created to share her story as a woman and mother, and help those living with the disease around the world.
"I am blessed with medications and services that allow me to live a full, productive, and yes, happy life," Fosca said. "I wish the same for others living with HIV-AIDS."
A child of Peruvian immigrants, Fosca, who grew up in Arizona, visited Peru when she was 10 years old. It was her first, indelible, look at real poverty. After college, she joined the Peace Corps and served in Nigeria.
During her exit medical evaluation from the Peace Corps in 1993, she tested positive for HIV.
"How could I possibly have HIV?" she said. "I was young, strong and healthy."
After a second test confirmed the result, she slammed her fist onto a desk.
"I catapulted into a zone that I can only describe as being in a fog, as if under water or in a thick mist. The world felt surreal to me. The doctor extended his apologies, offered for me to stay in the room as long as necessary, referred me to a virologist and stated he would need to see his next patient."
She was left alone in the room, stunned.
Fosca shared her story this week with members of RESULTS, a grass-roots national organization working to end hunger and the worst aspects of poverty around the globe. Organizer Teresa Rugg said she appreciated Fosca sharing her story.
Fosca told the group that when she discovered she was HIV-positive, she felt anger, confusion, denial and shame.
"How embarrassing. I was an educated young person. I knew about the importance of condoms."
She had a Nigerian boyfriend for two years, and was aware of the precautions for HIV-AIDS transmission, but said that after nearly a year of using condoms, she dropped her guard. As the emotional intimacy grew, the concern of a physical threat receded.
Fosca doesn't know if her old boyfriend is still alive.
After learning of her HIV-positive status, she thought about killing herself, and even stood in a kitchen with a knife. But she said God intervened.
"I decided that though HIV may one day kill me physically, I would not allow it to kill me spiritually, psychologically or emotionally," Fosca said. "I made a choice that day that HIV was not going to stop me."
She moved to Seattle and got her master's degree in social work from the University of Washington.
"My career thus far as a social worker has been meaningful. I was a social worker long before I became HIV-positive," Fosca said.
She currently works in child welfare, helping children and families affected by abuse and neglect.
She married in 1994 to someone who understood the disease and risks.
"He was not fearful of my HIV status. He and I chose to have a child together because we learned through my doctor that the risk of transmission was diminished to an extremely low percentage if a medication regime was followed for both mom and baby."
They now have two healthy sons, and her husband remains HIV-negative.
Both parents are raising the bright, sweet boys to be conscious of social issues.
"We have been to Ghana, Germany, Italy and Spain, and next year we will go to Peru," she said. "We volunteer together. This past summer, we helped at a camp for children affected by fetal alcohol syndrome."
Fosca said words can't describe the tragic daily loss of people dying of AIDS. Through Alive with AIDS, she hopes to do her part in making a difference. For more information, go to alivewithaids.com or call 425-923-7656.
She continues to move forward with her goals. Perhaps her new speaking bureau will help make her dream come true.
"I am a proud woman and a proud mommy. I have a passion for humanity and its cultures that I try to experience with my sons through travels. I have a passion for music and dancing. Life truly has its blessings, despite AIDS."
And her hope builds. Fosca said she initially asked God to allow her to live to see her children grow into men. Now she prays to see her grandchildren grow up.
Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@ heraldnet.com.
