Cathy Thomas discovered during her pregnancy in 2013 that she had HIV.

At first, she could not believe it and just cried. But following the birth of her HIV-negative son Issac and with the support of her grandmother, she eventually agreed to take medication.

But after a while, she grew tired taking the medication and even began to question whether she was really HIV-positive. “[But then] I was thinking to myself, if I don’t take my medicine and I die, who will take care of my child? Who will take care of him? That is what motivated me to take my medicine,” Thomas said.

She then resumed antiretroviral treatment (ART) and went back to school, determined to create a bright future for herself and her son in her home in Morata, Port Moresby.

“ART is the best medicine. It’s not a cure but it helps you live longer,” said Thomas, now 22. “My dream now is to complete my education and take care of my son. And in the future, when he grows up, I will tell him, ‘I am your mother, and I am HIV positive. But you’re not.’”

Thomas’ story, titled I Create my Future, was part of the Young & Positive series of short films featuring three young women living with HIV. Collectively and individually, they shared their experiences of diagnosis, treatment, fear and forging a future.