Surviving HIV: Growing Up a Secret and Being Positive

Great book. One you start reading you do not want to put it down until the end. I love it

I went to high school with Jamie. This is the first time I have heard and understood her entire story. I now know why she was so wonderfully strong and incredibly easy to be friends with. I always knew she was special and even though we lost touch over the years, I have often thought of her. I knew she had some sort of illness, but I had no idea what she went through to stay healthy.This book is a perfect example of how little we really know about the people around us and it is a true testament to the pure strength that the human spirit can have! I am truly inspired by Jamie and am lucky to have had her touch my life In a way that she may never fully understand. [Thank you and call me! ;-)]I plan to read this book to my son as he grows up so that he may have a better understanding of the world around him and learn that people may not always be what they seem. I feel like Jamie's words are written with great courage and will leave any reader with a greater sense of compassion and understanding for anyone they meet!

I read this book in less than a day. It was very encouraging, funny, and thought-provoking. The author shares how she was supported by family, medical professionals, camp, and support organizations in growing up with a heart condition and HIV. She experienced confusing, painful, and difficult experiences as a result but maintains a sense of humor, support, and love through the cushioning effect of her support system and her resilient attitude. I loved her description of how she gained support through camp and the Pediatric AIDS Foundation and how she navigated talking about HIV with boyfriends and her husband. It is also a great perspective on how children with chronic illnesses or who experience medical procedures see the confusing medical world into which they are thrust. As a former child patient, she has great insight and resources for her patients at the hospital in her role as a child life specialist. (I love child life specialists!) This book would be great insight for professionals working with children with chronic medical conditions, for parents of a child with a chronic illness, for anyone interested in children and women with HIV, and really most anyone. Bravo for such a touching, inspiring book!

I have read many HIV-infected personal stories. This one is really good. It does deal with a young woman infected through a blood transfusion, and her story. Good parents, income, ability to enroll in NIH clinical trials. Very different than most of the mid 20's and 30's folks that we currently deal with who became infected in what one might say is a "victim" way. She was able to cross the hurdle because her infection was through a blood transfusion. None the less, it is a very difficult barrier to cross and this young woman did it. I think that others can, but we live in a judgmental society, and I as a provider have to help people to come to their disclosure point when they can. Obviously before sex, but it is a very very difficult place to be, and I think that this was not highlighted very well.Thanks for the personal story, though. We need at least 200 more of these.

Enjoyed reading this story and learning about how people can live a healthy life (for decades) while having HIV. The book is written with humor, and shows authenticity and courage on the part of the author. Thanks for sharing your story Jamie!P.S. I have a loving recommendation to come out with a new edition. There were several typos and some pages that were duplicated in the book I purchased.

Unfortunately I started this book about 10 in the evening, so it was a late...night/morning. Jamie's easy style of writing interlaced with humor helped this story easily flow. Her fortitude and perserverance is a genetic gift! You will laugh and cry as you get an inside view of what it is really like from the child's perspective of living with a terrible disease. Jamie's mother's approach with facts and humor helped this strong little girl grow into a wonderful woman whose story is meant to inspire us all! Life has so much to offer, and each of us have so much to contribute. Don't check this out at a library, buy it, consume it and share it!

Quick & at times funny read. A little shallow. Not much detail. Not for those looking for the medical perspective of HIIV. A tad immature. I would suggest this book for teens, not adults.

The humorous approach to such a challenging life made the reading so enjoyable. The book is not only inspirational but also delightful! It also educates about HIV, congenital heart disease and living with chronic illness. I hope Jamie is working on Book 2!