Thamicha’s Mental Health Story

Award-winning founder and CEO of Miizmisha’s World of Empowerment,Thamicha Isaac,  is an openly positive HIV activist of a global HIV empowerment movement that is garnering Isaac and her cause recognition for her work. Her dedication and compassion for individuals and communities affected by HIV  has Thamicha on a mission to not only change lives, but to also empower individuals to fight for themselves and not allow a positive diagnosis to deter them from living out their life’s dreams, while bringing awareness and HIV education to communities worldwide. Learn more about the motivational speaker/activist/entrepreneur and her mental health story below.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Thamicha, Thamicha?  

Thamicha: I would describe my swagher as resilient, bold, brave, lovable, respectful, prayerful, but most of all hopeful, because without any of those self belief attributes, I wouldn’t be able to survive most things that I’ve been through. So for me, my swagher is fiercely ready to spread my wings and live a vivacious life. Thamicha can be many things, lol. She is a dynamic powerful woman; loving and caring mother; one of the most loyal friends you can find; a devoted daughter and sister, and a voice for the voiceless.                      

Fancy: When were you diagnosed with HIV and can you describe what that was like?

Thamicha: I received my diagnosis at 19 years old; I had gone for a routine visit. It was devastating. I remember sitting in a room with a guy (a testing counselor), and he showed me the paper with a big red positive sign written on it. I asked “What is this?’, and he nodded his head “yes” to me, as to indicate that I am positive. I started crying as he walked out the room, and  I still had tears in my eyes, when a lady came in. She looked at me and said that I was going to be okay and that HIV was not a death sentence anymore. But in my mind, all I was thinking is ‘I’m going to die.’ I hadn’t even lived my life yet, and I’d fled my country from an abusive relationship to later find out a year later that I’m HIV positive and alone in a foreign land; I became very depressed and suicidal. I isolated myself from the world, because I was looking at all the negative aspects, instead of the positive ones. My case worker that was assigned to me was an angel on earth; we are friends to this day, and very active in each other’s lives. Till this day, I am forever grateful for her pouring positivity into me and sending me to classes after my diagnosis. Those classes helped me understand what was happening in my body, and as time moved on I found love, birthed my first born son, and got married. Both of my sons and ex’s are HIV negative. 

Fancy: So tell us a little about Miizmisha’s World of Empowerment.

Thamicha: MiizMisha’s World Of Empowerment came about in 2012, when I started selling Mary Kay and I saw how the top consultants and directors were making money selling make up and telling their stories. A friend of mine suggested I do the same given I have a powerful story. I took her advice, and I would give free makeovers and facials and teach skin care to my local community-based organizations and women’s groups. From doing make up, I started attending seminars, workshops and networking events while telling my story, but I felt I still wasn’t living my truth. Only a few selected people and family members knew of my story. I wanted to make an impact on the world not just the circle I was around. I decided to create a Facebook group name Openly Positive where I would be vulnerable and be completely transparent with myself and everyone else. Our mission is to create a sacred place that will encourage, empower, enlighten, educate, uplift, and inspire those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Fancy:I know healing looks different to each individual, but what did healing look like for you?

Thamicha: Wow that’s a great question, lol. Healing for me is a journey. It’s a journey, because I believe we heal everyday when choosing to let go or move past things. So healing for me is letting go of things that no longer serve me, choosing to be love, light, and happiness no matter what’s going on around me at the present moment. 

Fancy:At what point did you decide to share your story to uplift and educate others?

Thamicha: I was at rock bottom, jobless, homeless, living in a hotel room with my kids, and no medical coverage for about six months. I needed help; I was tired of living oppressed by others limitations of who they think I should be to suit their own needs. Meanwhile I was slowly losing myself, stifling who I truly am and what I was created to be or do; so I decided that it was time the world knows that HIV has no face, it doesn’t discriminate, and that you can be as fabulous as me with HIV. You don’t have to live in a box like people want you to. 

Fancy: What inspired you to take part in the Crazy Like a Fox Tour?

Thamicha: At first I wanted to challenge myself, but then I wrote my  thoughts on my vision board to do more speaking engagements nationwide and globally. First I got a text message from Delilah (SwagHer’s creative director/Thamicha’s friend), saying she thought that the tour would be good for me to participate in. I looked at the requirements, submitted, and got accepted. I started reading some of the other speakers’ stories from the tour, and I was like “Ok God; I see you”. I felt that I was in great company, and my story would be an excellent addition to this tour given it’s content, Black powerful women telling their stories and changing lives and living their truths my kind of people! 

Fancy:What inspirational nugget would you care to share with our readers?

Thamicha: You can be as successful as you and God see fit, no matter how big or small the obstacles. Be free, be you, live your truth always; that’s the best of you. You can live loud and be proud of who you are, because your story is never for you. It’s to help, teach, inspire someone else fighting the exact same battle as you are. 

Thamicha will be speaking at the Crazy Like a Fox: Black Mental Health Matters Brunch Tour in Atlanta, May 25th. RSVP at www.crazylikeafoxtour.com/rsvp. Use code FOXY4 for 15% until May 6th.

Website: www.openlypositive.com

Website: www.miizmishasworldofempowerment.com 

Instagram: @Openlypositive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MiizMishasworld

Photography by Delilah Peach Photography.