I am the Commission: Maria Luisa Hernandez and her advocacy for undocumented immigrants living with HIV.
Maria Luisa Miranda is a health educator who works at the Commission’s “Institute of Treatment Education" which is a program that provides workshops on HIV in various parts of the U.S. and Latin America. Maria Luisa was born and raised in Ecuador. She studied at the Central University of Quito, where she received her degree as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist. Her family is everything to Maria Luisa. Her mother, three brothers, three children and grandchildren are what she loves the most in life.
  You have made public your HIV status and use it to educate people about the disease. What did it move you to do it? Was it difficult the first time you stood on the podium and spoke up?
 I disclosed my status to break the stigma and discrimination and encourage other women to do it so they can break the silence and let the world know that we are not alone and together we can help each other. I also came out because back then we didn’t have positive woman who were undocumented and by doing it was a way of saying “we exist” and I thought that an achievement for me will benefit people who were in my same immigration and medical status.
The first time I disclosed my status was easy. I did it at the Saint John the Divine Catedral when they were hosting a big activity for the Latino community. Cristina Saralegui and Guillermo Chacon were there among many others. I decided to speak up. I passed security and suddenly I was on the podium and then the words came easily to me. I spoke for 3 minutes about the “invisible community” of undocumented immigrants with HIV and our needs. So far, it has never been difficult to me to talk when it comes to defending the human rights of our people.
In addition to your work as a health educator, you are an active AIDS advocate. If you had the opportunity to pass a law or a reform in the health field, what would this be?
I would pass a universal health reform program where medical service, insurance, and medications are accessible for the entire population.
You have traveled extensively to Latin American countries providing workshops on HIV education. How serious is HIV/AIDS in these countries?
In the 6 countries I visited the situation is serious because of the stigma, discrimination, lack of resources and lack of laboratories just to mention a few. Most patients start treatment when the immune system is in 200 CD4 or less and now medical guidelines recommend that treatment should start when the patient has 500 CD4 because with this number there is not loss of immune system cells. The most serious issue is that the medications are centralized in the capitals of each country and it takes a long time until they reach the inner cities within the country. Many patients who are waiting for medications run the risk of developing resistance by not taking their medicines on time.
Do you talk to your children about sex education? How do they react? Do you get embarrassed? Do they get embarrassed?
My mother took care of that responsibility for me because HIV separated me from my kids for many years. She did a good job. She taught them about sex and personal responsibility.
As one of the oldest employees at the Commission you worked very closely with Dennis deLeon. What memories do you have of him?
I worked with Dennis deLeon since 1997. He was a person who devoted his life to work for the human rights of the Latino community and the people living with HIV. His dedication to his work was uncommitted and thoroughly and not just 8 hours a day. If by any chance I came to the office on a Saturday or Sunday it was more certain that Dennis was working. I was hurt when he left us but I think it was his time. We must not forget the legacy he left because HIV and AIDS are not gone and we must continue working for more resources and better services. Dennis you will be in my heart forever.
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