A medical lab scientist turned advocate transforms personal trauma into powerful purpose, creating vital resources for overlooked communities.
Kennedi Lowman never expected a routine blood donation to change her life forever. The 29-year-old medical lab scientist was thriving in her Atlanta hospital career when an urgent voicemail from the American Red Cross delivered shocking news. That call revealed she was HIV-positive, launching a journey that would transform personal pain into national advocacy.
Today, Lowman leads LOTUS—Loving Ourselves Through Unity and Strength—a groundbreaking support network specifically designed for cisgender women living with HIV. Her organization fills a critical gap in HIV care, addressing the unique needs of women who are often overlooked in traditional support systems.
From Medical Professional to Patient: Understanding HIV Diagnosis Reality
Working in healthcare gave Lowman immediate insight into her diagnosis implications. “In my mind, I’m like, what is wrong with me?” she remembered about receiving that fateful call. Her medical background helped her understand the urgency, but nothing prepared her for the emotional impact.
Looking back, Lowman recognized warning signs she had initially dismissed. “I had a respiratory and sinus infection, plus a norovirus infection,” she recalled. These symptoms highlight a crucial point about HIV detection—early signs often mimic common illnesses like flu.
Medical experts emphasize that HIV symptoms can be easily overlooked or misattributed. Lowman believes she contracted HIV sometime in 2015, demonstrating how the virus can remain undetected for years. Her experience underscores the importance of regular testing for sexually active individuals.
Breaking Through HIV Stigma and Mental Health Challenges
The diagnosis initially overwhelmed Lowman with fear and shame. “I thought no one would want to date me, that I couldn’t have kids, that I was damaged,” she shared candidly. These feelings reflect common misconceptions about HIV that continue to harm communities.
Internalized stigma led Lowman into a two-year depression period. She kept her diagnosis secret, confiding only in her sisters during this difficult time. Mental health challenges following HIV diagnosis remain widespread, particularly among Black women who face additional cultural barriers.
However, Lowman eventually chose to reclaim control over her narrative. This decision marked a turning point that would transform her personal struggle into community empowerment. Her journey illustrates how confronting stigma can become a source of strength and purpose.
Creating LOTUS: National Support Network for Women With HIV
On December 1, 2018—World AIDS Day—Lowman publicly shared her HIV status. “I didn’t see other young Black women in Atlanta living with HIV talking about it,” she explained. “So I became that person.” This brave decision sparked the creation of LOTUS.
LOTUS emerged from recognizing a significant service gap. “It’s like the world looks at everyone else living with HIV except for cisgender women,” Lowman noted. Traditional HIV organizations often focus primarily on men or fail to address women’s specific needs.
The organization provides comprehensive support including emotional counseling, educational resources, and empowerment programs. LOTUS operates as both local Atlanta resource and national network, connecting women across geographic boundaries. Through this platform, Lowman ensures women living with HIV feel seen, heard, and supported.
Transforming Lives Through Personalized HIV Support Services
Lowman’s approach to support goes beyond traditional group meetings. She provides individualized attention, whether that means hosting extended support sessions for women who need to process emotions or checking on college students managing diagnosis while pursuing education.
“Support is everything,” Lowman emphasized. “It can change someone’s life.” This philosophy drives LOTUS programming, which adapts to meet diverse needs within the community. Some women require immediate crisis intervention, while others benefit from ongoing peer mentorship.
The organization’s impact extends beyond Atlanta, reaching women nationwide who lack local resources. Through virtual connections and advocacy work, LOTUS creates sisterhood among women who might otherwise feel isolated by their diagnosis.
Redefining HIV Narratives: From Shame to Empowerment
Lowman now declares without hesitation: “HIV saved my life.” This perspective represents a radical shift from viewing diagnosis as tragedy to recognizing it as catalyst for meaningful work. Her transformation challenges conventional narratives about living with HIV.
By sharing her story publicly, Lowman helps dismantle harmful stereotypes affecting Black women with HIV. Her visibility provides representation for a community that has been largely invisible in mainstream HIV discourse. This representation creates hope for newly diagnosed women.
Furthermore, Lowman’s work demonstrates how personal challenges can become community solutions. Her medical background, combined with lived experience, positions her uniquely to advocate for evidence-based support that addresses real needs rather than assumptions about what women require.
