Have you ever heard the phrase, "one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing"? No, this isn't going to be another masturbation blog. It isn't based on the real meaning of the phrase either, instead, my one hand had to learn how to do what the other hand normally did.

A week ago I had gone out with a friend for breakfast. As I got in the car he asked where my camera was. I am rarely seen without my backpack and cameras but lately, it’s been so wet or cold, for some reason this year I haven't had the same need to be out there. It’s winter here but there hasn't been much snow this year, just a lot of rain and it isn't good to be wet when the weather is this cold.

However, this particular day, it felt almost like spring. The sun came out so when I was dropped off, I got the camera and headed out. Well, I was walking along the river downtown and thought I'd go down this embankment to the edge of the water. Wrong decision. The trail was a little muddy and I didn't have much tread on the shoes I was wearing, I fell. I landed on my right shoulder and I could hear the crunching as I landed. Slowly it got sore and then got unbearable, I couldn't move it much without a lot of pain.

I pulled out my phone and called a family member to come and get me and take me to the hospital. I could sense the feeling of, "what did you do now"? Ummm, this isn't a common thing, I don't have many accidents.

It turned out it wasn't as serious as I had thought, just a slight separation of the collarbone and nothing broken. It sure is taking its time getting better. I have broken the left side collarbone twice and had the rotator cuff repaired before. I am right handed so this has been quite the opposite experience. Most things, I now had to do with my left hand, I won't list them all here but you can probably guess what the list would include. Raising my arm isn't that easy still, so I haven't been doing much typing on the computer, just clicking and reading things. Luckily for me, this isn't a world where you do much writing anymore.

I was explaining to Bob, my editor here on PositiveLite.com, that I may not get anything in to him for a while, I was on the injury list. He just told me to take it easy and send something when I could. He asked if I had taken anything interesting lately so I thought of doing this as a new blog posting, another one with some of my photos. These have been taken during the fall and some were taken in December and January. The one of the concrete carving of the head with a smoke in it, its the most viewed one on my flickr.com page. I put it out on twitter and it really drew attention, The last count I saw was 256 views, Most of my pics only get 20 or 30. It could be because I named the picture "Stoned". Hmmm!

I really want this shoulder to heal:  I want to get out and get back to my hobby.

More of my photos can be found here.

Brian Finch: Thank you for taking the time for this interview. You first caught my eye while on Facebook in a group run by another woman we have interviewed, Maria Mejia where you had posted a message. 

There are a few things I found interesting. First the photographic project you are working on called, "I am" and that you are living in Argentina, but have a connection to Colorado.

What brought you out to Argentina? Are you an American transplant, or do you have connections to Latin America.

Caitlin M. Kelly:I am an expat living/working/traveling/being in Argentina for the time. I've been here nearly 4 years and I've done a bit of traveling around S. America. I was down in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2006 to run the marathon, but they changed the date a few weeks out and it was too expensive to change my ticket. I opted to come anyway and make a vacation out of it. I spoke no Spanish other than the typical, Dónde está el baño y dos cervezas por favor, etc… but I had a blast anyway

I was impressed with the street level art, not just the graffiti, but the free flow of expression. So when I opted to quit my job - I had been living and working in S. California for 12 years - I figured instead of moving to Colorado where my family lives, I was going to take the opportunity and move overseas. I felt my world had become too small and there is nothing like moving to a foreign culture where you don't speak the language to make you work a little. I now speak Spanish and although I arrived without knowing anyone, I've built a great group of friends, locals and expats alike. And I finally ran the marathon last year 2010.

How did you get into photography and what interests you most in subjects? I see you have a number of past exhibits and projects going on ranging from Avantgarb(age), “The art of wearing garbage” to INKED.PIERCED.MARKED.

I started shooting when I was 15. It was one of the elective courses available at my junior high in Nashua, NH where I grew up: art, photography, etc… I chose photography and never looked back. I always claim I am an artist that can't draw. I never made it past stick figures. But when it comes to photography and photography of people I am enthralled. People give away so much in their movements, details, expressions, body language, dress, etc… I look at a person and there is a book there, an autobiography if you will. I love the challenge of trying to read that book and interpret it for a photograph.

I also clearly remember a high school social studies teacher (Mr. Bernstein) tell us that it is important to understand other points of view. It was a statement he threw out in passing, but it stuck to me and I would say my photography is all about understanding other points of view and communicating them.

I believe that is why you'll see a mix of styles in my work at times, ie Avantgarb{age}, which is more about the environment via people to .Inked.Pierced.Marked which is about people and their tattoos. And then there is my more social work from the Comedor Los Pibes (showing in Colonia, Uruguay this month as part of Fotograma-11) and 'I am' Women Living with HIV and in both of these projects through the portraits I seek to communicate that each person is important - that they matter, just the way they are and I hope that differences can be celebrated and respected.

Evelyn Saván, 18

HIV positive as of birth (photographed February 2011)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Photograph by Caitlin M. Kelly, which appears in her "I am" project at http://iam.cateincba.com

English: I am Evelyn. I am 18 years old and I live with my sister Tamara and my dad Charly in Moreno, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. My dream is to become an artist. I love everything that involves the arts. Mostly I love acting and dancing. These are my true passions. A year ago I also began learning to play drums. I want to dedicate myself to learning everything that the arts can teach me so I can apply it in my life.

Español: Yo soy Evelyn, tengo 18 años y vivo en Moreno junto a mi hermana, Tamara y mi papa Charly. Mi vocación es ser artista, me gusta todo lo que tenga que ver con esta disciplina. Me encanta actuar y bailar, son lo que más me apasiona. También empecé a tocar la batería yo hace un año. Pienso dedicarme a aprender todo lo que me puede brindar lo artístico para poder aplicarlo a mi vida.

Today I wanted you to talk about  “I am” which focuses specifically on HIV positive women. Can you explain this project and how it came to be?

Through a friend of mine I had the opportunity to attend a couple of functions, end of year parties, etc… for the HIV groups with whom he was volunteering. I realized pretty quickly that most people here do not talk about their diagnosis outside of these places. It is safe inside the organization's walls, but in the streets, in their neighborhoods, in their own homes, it is not - for fear of discrimination and retribution, especially in the workplace. And it struck me that women especially were at a disadvantage and many were unwilling to even discuss it with their children.

So about two years ago the idea of HIV and women started to float around my head but I wasn't sure what to make of it and how to do it. Through continued contact with several HIV groups I realized that what I saw in the women that are visible (ser visible in Spanish would mean they are out about their diagnosis) and activists is how much these women live. The project became about living with HIV, not dying, not coping, not surviving, but living and I really wanted to combat the discrimination by talking about similarities between individuals. These women are more than their diagnosis as HIV positive. They are women, professionals, activists, mothers, daughters, sisters, etc…

Oddly enough, everyone assumes someone who get’s involved in this kind of subject matter must be HIV positive as well, and you are not.  That being the case, what drew you to “I am” that you might not have mentioned already? Are there any specific things you've learned through this process?

I often get asked why I am working on a project about HIV positive women if I am not positive myself. My response (perhaps a bit flippant now) is, does one need to have cancer to donate money to leukemia research? I am very interested in women's issues and I believe firmly that a society with strong women, better equality and less discrimination is a society that is more functional and complete. Obviously I personally benefit from a society that is less discriminatory and more open, so yes, there is something in this project for me too. I would also very much like my nieces (and nephews too) to grow up in a world with less hate and stupidity.

Do you see common threads in women from Argentina to those of other countries?

I have only begun this project, so I can't really compare yet. I believe I will find similarities and differences between countries and cultures. What I noticed working on this project here in Argentina is that many woman are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, etc… but rarely do they create their own identities as women or as people. I didn't grow up with that mindset in the US. I grew up in a family of 4 girls (no brothers) and it was never in question that I would go to college, that I would develop my own interests, that I would have the opportunity to walk down the roads that I chose. I see that as a major difference, but I also believe the struggle to be both a women independent of motherhood while still having children or a family life is a commonality across the globe. 

Is there any one story that stands out the most for you?

Several stand out for me at this point. I really respect Marcela Alsina for her strength and leadership and her work with the Red Bonaerense de Personas Viviendo con VIH/SIDA (Network of people living with HIV/AIDS in the province of Buenos Aires). Her calm manner, yet determination was very present for me in her words and photographs. It has been a pleasure to watch her work. I also really like Evelyn's statement because to me she is a typical 18 year old.She likes to play the drums, act, and has dreams for her future.

And the others all have given through their words and photographs a piece of themselves. I walk to the women before photographing them to make sure they are well aware that I want to show this work as many places as I can and I ask them if they're ready to share a piece of themselves. I have deep respect for each of them for the peak they've given me (and hopefully everyone who sees this project) into their personal worlds.

What has been the impact for the women participating in “I am”?

I'm not sure I know yet. The project is still in its infancy. I've noticed however, as a photographer, that if you give someone space to be themselves and honestly listen they are more than willing to share. 

Marcela Alsina, 45 

HIV positive 15 years (as of time of photograph in December 2010)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Photograph by Caitlin M. Kelly

English: I am from a beautiful city, the city of Mar del Plata, with the best sunshine on the sea and gorgeous nights under the stars. Life led me through the path of activism and that's how I became an activist, feminist and human rights advocate. I believe in mutual respect, I'm not afraid of life; I travel to places with light, shadows and at times darkness, in order to be with friends, who are the most wonderful present I have. I have been angry at life many times, but over the years we've became friends, we got to know each other little by little and today I can say that I'm Happy!

Español: Soy de una ciudad hermosa como Mar del Plata, con las mejores amaneceres en el mar y hermosas noches bajo las estrellas, la vida me llevo por el camino del activísimo y así me convertí en una mujer activista, feminista y defensora de los derechos humanos. Creo en el respeto mutuo, no le tengo miedo a la vida; viajo por cualquier lugar luminoso, con sombras y a veces muy oscuros para estar con amigos/as, el regalo mas maravilloso que tengo. Con la vida muchas veces me enoje, pero con los años nos convertimos en amigas, nos fuimos conociendo poco a poco y hoy puedo decir que Soy Feliz!!.

Have you been funded at all for this body of work? What are your hopes for future steps.

I have been funding everything from my freelance work. I am actively seeking funding to take it global. However I also seek to create partnerships on local levels, ie, showing the images during conferences, presenting multimedia, etc…  I would eventually like to have portraits and words of women from throughout the world so that the photos side by side can speak to the similarities we have as people and women, while at the same time celebrating the differences that add color and depth to our world.

To wrap up, I wanted to ask what, if any, call to action you might have so others who want to become involved know what you're looking for.

Yes, a call to action would be great. I am seeking three things:

1. Women who would like to share a part of themselves, be photographed and participate in the project. I am working in Latin America at the moment, but will be back in the States as of next March, so I am open to any woman, anywhere in the world.

2. I am seeking funding to bring this project global. I envision working in sections throughout the world, so if someone wants to help support my work in a particular region, I would be most grateful for that as well. Which would bring me to #3.

3. I am seeking partnerships, places to show the images, etc... By that I mean, if an organization is interested in having me at an event, conference, I can show images in a print or multimedia format and we can work together to create a body of work in the style of 'I am' which I can use for the project and they can also use for promotional and/or educational purposes. I am open to other suggestions as well because I realize others may have unique ways of utilizing the strengths of this project.

I can be contacted via email at: //mce_host/content/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. " target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://mce_host/content/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your important work giving voice to women living with HIV! We will have to come back for a future update on how it is going.

Mariana Iácono, 28

HIV positive 9 years (as of time of photograph in December 2010)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Photograph by Caitlin M. Kelly

English: I am Mariana Iácono, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'm a social worker and student of history. I love swimming in the sea if there are no jellyfish. I love reading and practicing sports. I work in education in two high-schools and I'm also a HIV/AIDS activist in RAMVHIS (Network of Women Living With AIDS). I'm a member of Fundación BsAs SIDA and I represent them in a INADI forum. I have a mother and a father who are lovely, really lovely, a female dog who is my daughter, and a love who fills my heart. Living with HIV, at this stage of my diagnosis —9 years, I'm 28— is not a problem anymore. Every day I fight against the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

Español: Soy Mariana Iácono, de Buenos Aires Argentina. Trabajadora social, estudiante de historia. Amo nadar en el mar si no hay medusas, me gusta leer y hacer deportes. Trabajo en el ámbito de educación en dos escuelas secundarias con adolescentes y también soy activista en VIH/SIDA en RAMVHIS, la Red Argentina de Mujeres que Viven con VIH/SIDA, también estoy en la Fundación BsAs SIDA representandola en un foro del INADI. Tengo una mama y un papa que son encantadores por demás encantadores, una perra que es mi hija, y un amor que me llena el corazón. Vivir con VIH a esta altura de mi diagnostico así 9 años, tengo 28, ya no tiene nada de problema, todos los días lucho contra el estigma y discriminación a las personas que vivimos con vih.

A few weeks ago I decided that I was going to participate in my first ever AIDS WALK LA. Not only that, I was going to form a team of friends and supporters to join me. Once again I set out to raise awareness and get people involved in HIV and AIDS and once again I was completely successful.

Pops always told me that I never needed to be the brightest light and that I never needed to be the biggest or most important person involved. In fact he told me I didn't need to be important at all. “Always do your best, son, and that is all that matters.”

It is estimated there are 62,000 people living with HIV here in Los Angeles. According to the Homeless Service Authority there are 793 homeless people living with AIDS in the City of Los Angeles. Since I was diagnosed with HIV while I was homeless, I know this number is a great deal higher than what is reported. For 27 years AIDS WALK LA has raised vital funds to serve people living with HIV or AIDS right here in Los Angeles.

I set a goal to have 10 team members and together we would raise $500. I also set a personal goal for myself to raise $1,000. I was able to recruit 7 people for the team and as of this morning, we've raised $1,015 and I raised $605 of this total. Even though I fell short of my team goal and my personal fundraising goal, I am proud of myself and the efforts of all my team members. In fact all but one of my team members are HIV positive and all of us are formerly homeless, so I think we did a pretty damn good job.

Not only was this my first year walking, but I was also one of the AIDS WALK LA photographers, which was such a huge honor for me. I say this because I've asked to be part of other events such as Gay Pride and AIDS Life Cycle and even asked to be put on the list as an available photographer, but to no avail. So when I actually received a return phone call and email from Shaun, I must say that I was rather shocked and then Leif reached out and things were set.

The energy of the day was awesome, I had such a great time. From start to finish I was so happy I volunteered to walk and raise funds, but also happy that I asked to be a photographer. My friends were equally happy with being part of this truly special day.

As a gay man with HIV, this besides being a writer on Positive Life is the first time I've ever felt not just welcomed, but an important part of the gay community, the first time I did not walk away with a very sour taste in my mouth and the first time I did not receive any stigma from the very place it should be absent. My heart and soul were happy all day long.

As a published photographer (I always giggle when I say or type this) this was such a cool event to be part of. For those of you who love photography as much as I do, but have never been part of the official team, let me just tell you of the energy of being able to jump into the crowds, move around freely and have people excited to have you take their picture. To be able to simply walk up to people and say “can you hold this sign and strike a pose for me”. To have people shuttle you around and get people to pose for your camera is priceless and to have people high five you all day long is the best feeling ever.

On a personal level to have someone treat you with respect, treat you like an equal and professional was mind blowing for me because from the “community” this has never happened for me before. Leif and his team were awesome. From the very start, to the very end, for me that says a great deal as to why AIDS WALK LA is as successful as it is.

Leif thanked us (photographers) every step of the way, he made sure we had what we needed and was willing to help us if we needed it. The sign of a true leader is the one who can lead by example, but is aso a team player. He made me feel welcome and I heard the same things from the other photographs as well.

My day came to an end with someone I've never met running up to me screaming my name, then hugging me so tight while crying. He pulled away and said “I'm so honored to meet you Kengi. I know this sounds crazy, but you saved my life. I read your blog and watch your youtube channel and because of this I've decided to live. I'm no longer a prisoner nor am I ashamed of HIV or being gay. I owe all of this to you. Thank you for doing what you do and please don't stop. You saved my life.....you really saved my life.”

Listening to him speak I could feel the tears forming in the corners of my eyes and then they began to fall down my face. Before I knew it I was crying right along with him because in that moment I could hear the voice of my father telling me that all I really needed to do was what I could when I could, but more importantly once again God had provided yet another confirmation to continue doing what I am doing because it reached far more people than I'm aware of and it serves them well.

AIDS WALK LA was simply awesome. I spent the day with my friends, doing two things I truly love... photography and being of service. I can't wait to be part of this next year.

 . . . . . . . . with the Arabic Goddess Sultanna and Toronto’s own Dita Dior, as shot by the talented Lucyna DanUta Barossa. While I’m sworn to secrecy about the details of the shoot while the images are in post-production and being shopped around, I did manage to snap this quick behind the scenes photo while I had my makeup applied!