Evergreen AIDS Foundation: Robert's Story

After being diagnosed with HIV in Los Angeles 11 years ago, Robert Cleary decided to change his ways and start seeking a better life. In the process of doing so, he quit abusing drugs and turned to various support groups for comfort and direction. In 2006, he met his wife Rhonda at www.poz.com, an online support group for people living with HIV. Rhonda, like Robert, was a recovering drug addict with HIV, from Vancouver , B.C. Soon after they met, Rhonda moved to L. A. where they were married in December of 2007.

Wanting to be closer to Rhonda’s family, they decided to move to Vancouver and begin their new life. Because of troubles Robert encountered earlier on in his life, the newlywed couple was unable to cross the border into Canada .

“This is when I kind of got stuck here in Bellingham ,” Robert said. “I was afraid because this is a small town and didn’t know what resources were available regarding my HIV status, plus I didn’t have enough money to get back to L.A. ”

Not knowing where to turn, Robert looked up HIV support groups in the phone book and discovered the Evergreen Aids Foundation.

The Evergreen Aids Foundation (EAF) is a partner agency of United Way of Whatcom County dedicated to fostering healthy and hopeful community responses to HIV/AIDS cases in Northwest Washington through education, prevention and direct client services. Staff at the foundation assist clients in maintaining a healthy and independent lifestyle, all free and confidential.

“I found the people at EAF very encouraging,” Robert said. “They hooked me up with medical and dental services and also some social programs.”

Being unaware of Washington State health and social services, EAF helped Cleary and his wife get back on their feet and make Bellingham their new home. Shortly after they were married, Rhonda became pregnant, and through the help of EAF, the Bellingham Housing Authority moved the Cleary family into an apartment of their own.

Although it is very uncommon in this day in age for parents living with HIV to pass along the HIV virus to their newborn, the Cleary’s felt extremely blessed when Chloe, now six-months-old, was born HIV negative.

“More than anything else that EAF has done, just showing the support and understanding of what it is like to be HIV positive is the real blessing,” Robert said. “They are our main driving force and they’ve been there supporting us one-hundred percent.”