Joan was born in the Caribbean and grew up in Canada. In her youth, she felt invincible to trouble and problems, and lived life to the fullest. Eventually, Joan was married and had two children.

It was a complete shock when she learned she was HIV-positive; she had no awareness that she'd been putting herself at risk of HIV transmission. Then, with her diagnosis of AIDS, the bottom fell out of her life. Without a steady income and with children to feed, she went onto the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). After several years of being on ODSP, and things became more stable, Joan decided to look for things to do in the community.

After attending a number of workshops, with varying degrees of success, she decided to sign up for the Ontario AIDS Network Leadership Training Progam, designed and delivered by HIV-positive people. Here, Joan discovered workshops that made a difference in her life, information that she could take and use and even teach to others.

Since starting with the OAN Leadership program she has regained her sense of purpose. Although she still faces health challenges, she has a new confidence in what she can achieve. Joan now co-facilitates the leadership program and has found employment with an AIDS Service Organization. She owes much of her success to the leadership training and is one of the greatest advocates for the program.