When Sue and Dave first met, Dave was an active heroin addict. With Dave's determination and Sue's support, Dave was able to achieve abstinence in his life through a local heroin recovery program-Sue and Dave did not know that the new family's problems had just begun.

Sue, Dave and their children became homeless and moved into a family treatment shelter in the North Shore of Massachusetts. Dave was plagued by physical symptoms and was directed by the clinic doctor to get tested for HIV. The results came back within a couple of days: "HIV positive." The diagnosis of HIV caused almost intolerable levels of fear, shame and anxiety in the entire family.

Sue's reaction to the diagnosis was exacerbated by a past experience of trauma. Her first husband had abused her both physically and mentally. With young children to provide for and protect, Sue had been afraid to leave the man who tormented her and her young children. Even before Dave and Sue were married, Sue had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In response to Dave's diagnosis, Sue responded first with panic and then with deep depression. The possible consequences of Dave's condition on her family were almost unthinkable. One question that continued to haunt her was a question that she asked only herself: "Should I continue loving and living with a man who is infected and might threaten the health of myself and my children?"

Sue's Case manager, a caregiver at the family treatment shelter, referred Sue to the IHR Women Rise project, a program that integrates HIV education and prevention. Sue met with a Comprehensive Risk Counselor from the IHR program who offered her hope and direction.

As a necessary first step, Sue was tested for HIV, and the results came back "HIV negative." As a supportive relationship between Sue and our IHR Risk Counselor continued to grow, Sue learned about how HIV can be passed on from person to person and how to avoid becoming infected. The thrust of the IHR Women Rise program is to prevent the spread of HIV and to keep people at risk, safe.

Sue's Risk Counselor referred her to an IHR peer support group. Through IHR programs, she is learning how to cope with her exposure to HIV and how to cope with life itself.