Rae Lewis-Thornton’s Faith-Filled Fight Against AIDS

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware | Word In Black (WIB) – When you talk to Rae Lewis-Thornton, you discover that she’s full of faith and humor—and she’s determined to live life to the fullest.  The ordained Baptist minister, 62, does so even though she has AIDS. Her days, which she spends educating people about the disease, demand a strict regimen of survival strategies. But she’s up to the challenge. RELATED:& 3 Truths About& HIV& in the Black Community “The life expectancy of AIDS is certainly different than when I was diagnosed in 1987. I mean, if you had lived three years, you were a long-term survivor,” Thornton says. “But living with AIDS is a lifelong challenge.”  And her life has always been about faith and purpose. The Role of Faith in Her Journey.& Thornton’s faith journey started in childhood, guided by her grandmother who took her to church. She says she was always loved by the pastors of the two churches she attended until she was on her own. Later, the support she received from her pastors and other members of the faith community helped her navigate the difficulties of her diagnosis. “AIDS was still new, and people didn’t know...