We were lucky to catch up with Sequan Kolibas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sequan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I grew up in a pro-sex, pro-drugs, pro-rock n’roll household. I was the rebel in junior high and high school. But underneath it all, I had a core belief of not being enough, and wanted to be accepted by those I loved. I started doing drugs at 13, then hard drugs at 15, which led me on a path straight to addiction, a criminal lifestyle and eventually, prison. It also led me to making choices in which I contracted HIV. Great … I have a criminal record, I’m a closet injection drug user and now I have an HIV diagnosis … you want to talk about all those inner insecurities around being rejected … now they are on OVERDRIVE! I didn’t tell my family for the first 5 years, and stayed hidden behind drugs. I was brimming over with self-stigma, shame and embarrassment. Then after trying to get high for 6 hours, and the only vein I could find being one in my forehead, I decided that it was probably time for me to try something different. So I checked myself into a substance use disorder treatment clinic. It was through the process of change and self-acceptance during my recovery, that I finally accepted my diagnosis and made it a part of who I was, and not the only thing to define me. Against my greatest fears, I then took the risk of becoming vocal about my status, not only to those closest to me, but to the general public as well. I became an HIV advocate, traveling to Washington D.C. with the AIDSWatch conference, where I met with my state Representatives and Senators, in order to address changes that need to be made in regards to Utah’s HIV specific laws. In the 30 years that AIDSWatch has been conducting these congressional meetings, I was the first person to ever attend representing Utah! I started a non-profit that specializes in mobile HIV and hepatitis C testing, linkage to free treatment, and judgment-free conversations about prevention. I teach HIV/hep C/STI awareness and prevention classes around the state. I am using my voice to speak up for marginalized and medically underserved populations, because that is where I came from. I have been living with HIV for 10 years now, I am a certified Harm Reduction Navigator, a certified HIV Peer Navigator, and a woman who is using her tragedy as her superpower!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I own a non-profit called Hope on T.T.a.P.P., which stands for Testing, Treatment and Peer-Led Prevention. We are a rapid point-of-care organization, offering mobile harm reduction services that include free HIV and hepatitis C testing, with linkage to judgment-free treatment. We care for Utah’s marginalized, vulnerable and medically under-served populations. These communities include people who use and inject drugs, people experiencing homelessness, those involved in sex work and individuals coming out of incarceration. I got into this field of work, not by years and years of schooling, but by years and years of lived experience within each of these communities. Getting into recovery in 2019, I found my voice and decided to raise it for my people who are not being heard. There is a terrible stigma in Utah surrounding drug user health, and this is a huge component as to why we are in the midst of a hepatitis C epidemic in our state. People who inject drugs make up the highest percentage of newly reported hepatitis C cases, yet are the smallest percentage of people being treated. That’s where I come in! I believe that everyone deserves equal access to healthcare resources that can improve their quality of life, including stigma-free prevention conversations and barrier-free pathways to life-saving medications. We meet people where they are at, and provide our services in the comfort of our Clients’ own environments. We are starting a movement that challenges conventional medical establishments that continue to treat with old world stigmas. We are changing the game with how healthcare is delivered! We recently were awarded the title of, “Most Empowering Mobilized Rapid Point-of-Care Program Non-Profit USA”, by Global Health and Pharma, in their Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards 2023. It only takes one to start a movement …

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Steadfast intentions and absolute transparency. Never backing down when challenged by others. I have never waivered from my intentions to seek out better treatment for my people and I have always been very open about where I came from and why I am doing what I am doing. People with lived experience are gold mines and their services are now being recognized and respected. I sit on several different panels, including the Utah HIV Planning Group and the Utah Hepatitis C Elimination Group, both which are governed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. I definitely am not perfect … I am late to almost every meeting! But I show up and have a voice that cannot be silenced! I don’t tell people what they want to hear, I tell them how it is on the streets and exactly what we need. If you stand strong in your vision and your end goals, the people who can help you achieve those goals, will come.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One would be, my follow-through with my clients. I make it my mission to make sure they get what they need, even if I have to fight for months and months to get it! I transport them to their appointments, deliver their medications if needed, provide case management services throughout treatment and continue that relationship post treatment. My clients/patients become family! It is a lot of work, but as long as you are consistent, word will spread and your phone will never stop ringing. The other would be, researching where my services would be needed the most, and were not already being provided. For example, we have quite a few substance use disorder treatment centers in our state. Yet, most of them are not testing their clients for infectious diseases (like hep c and HIV) that come along with a life of substance use upon admission into the facility. Voila! Massive untouched market!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hopeonttapp.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sequan.kolibas ; https://www.facebook.com/KnowYourStatusMvmnt
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sequan-kolibas-b7b8a573
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sequank990
• Other: https://qcareplus.com/hope-on-ttapp/

Image Credits
Drew Ackerman Call