I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere.

On December 17, 1984, I had surgery to remove two inches of my left lung due to pneumonia. After two hours of surgery the doctors told my mother I had AIDS.

AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going. Don't give up, be proud of who you are, and never feel sorry for yourself.

Vivian had found trouble early and often, and discovered that instead of it scaring her, it only made her feel more alive.

Every moment efforts are on to make a fit person unfit. I am surprised that no poll has been conducted asking people "How many times they have made someone fit unfit?"

This mom snapped on me. She said, 'You get out there, and you score!' And I was just like, 'Whoa!' When someone else's mom yells at you, it's pretty intimidating.