ILOSM family how many of you remember Hydeia Broadbent? You may not remember her name, but you probably remember her face and her very brave, yet disheartening beginning set the stage for a bright future and now she’s an activist for many others who are living with the same battle she’s endured her entire life. As a newborn, Hydeia was abandoned by her biological parents and left at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. *Scroll down to see her recent interview*

A Lifelong Struggle:

But despite her ongoing battle with HIV, unfortunately, there are some people who believe she cannot relate to the struggle because she was born with it. However, she has a very different perspective of it all:

“People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them. Well, this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you don’t practice safe sex and know your HIV status and the HIV status of your sexual partner. I ask people to use my testimony as a warning of what you don’t want to go through.” Hydeia explained.

However, Hydeia was determined not to let the disease dictate how her life would turn out.

Defying the Odds:

At the young age of six, Hydeia became an activist and public speaker. Over the years, she has appeared on numerous talk shows including Oprah, 20/20, Good Morning America. The level of exposure she’s received has been tremendous. In addition to appearing on talk shows, she’s also been featured in prominent publications like New York Times, People, Essence, and Ebony magazines.

Most of us, Old Schoolers, remember watching in sorrow as the courageous 11-year-old Hydeia explained with precise clarity who she is and what her HIV status was at that time. America cried and clapped for that child, and now we’re rejoicing with her as we witness the incredible 39-year-old woman she is today…

Her Phase Of Depression & Resentment

In her interview on Oprah’s Where Are They Now, Hydeia teared up when recalling her tough teen years. She says that she became extremely depressed at the age of 15 when she was at the height of her career. The pressure of being a public figure at an age where most young people are trying to find who they are as individuals, was just too much for her to bear. Needless to say, Hydeia began to resent the fact that she was once the brave young AIDS/HIV activist.

However, things began to take a turn for the better. By the age of 16, Broadbent kept going with her activism and had become a notable speaker and HIV/AIDS activist who had the privilege of speaking at highly lauded educational institutions like Duke University, Spelman College, UCLA, and Howard University. She’s continue made it her mission to speak up and out, raising awareness about the importance of making sound decisions when it comes to avoiding “at-risk behaviors.” She is now considered a pioneer of African-American youth for having the courage to share her life story with the world in an effort to help others.

Her Dating Life

As far as her dating life, Hydeia made it clear that she is no different from her fellow thirty-something year olds. Sometimes it’s tough for her, but she does date, although she’s living the single life at the current moment, BUT that is by choice. Watch one of her more recent interviews below…

Overall, it is such a wonderful experience watching this young lady continue to defy the odds and flourish in life. We wish her many, many more years of success and cannot wait to see what’s in store for her and we salute her for her admirable work to help educate others.