Recap: Last Week Gabrielle*was worried about going to the hospital to give birth, as she was treated poorly when she had her first child.

Gabrielle* knows more than anyone that life is full of obstacles. But despite her challenges, she tries to keep an open mind.

"It amazes me that life has a way of bringing us to our knees. And often shows us that when you think you've got it bad, someone out there is worse than you," said Gabrielle.

She said she was at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) a few days ago waiting for a ride to go home because it was raining. While she was there, a man who is also HIV-positive came by. She said he had a patch over one of his eyes which was was badly swollen. She asked him what was wrong, and he told her it was infected, and he would have to undergo surgery next year.

She said it was very windy and raining heavily.

"He began shivering from the cold. And every time the breeze blew on his face he made some excruciating groans. As he did, tears filled my eyes."

On top of that, she said he had nowhere to go. He was homeless.

" We tried to get him into one of the shelters that accepts people living with HIV, but they were all full."

She explains that he asked to stay at JASL, because the night before he slept on the streets in the rain. But, JASL did not have a housing facility for him to stay.

"However, one of the workers was there and said he would try and help him. But I had to leave before something worked out, so I don't know what happened."

Helpless

She said she felt helpless that she could not assist him. His situation rested on her conscience heavily and she could not eat that evening.

Gabrielle is currently in her final trimester and, as she awaits the arrival of her baby, she still does not have a few necessary items, such as baby bottles and warmers. However, she said she will have to make do with what she has, as the important thing is giving birth to a healthy baby.

NB: Gabrielle's story will not be published for the remainder of this month, as she will be taking time off to give birth. However, the feature will return on December 1.

Name Changed.

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