Iris Matias-Quintana was formerly employed by the United States Postal Service and has worked as an administrative assistant for many years. In the spring of 1995 Iris was diagnosed with HIV, and then had to battle her first opportunistic infection (O/I) thrush. One year later (Spring 1996) Iris was hospitalized and diagnosed with an AIDS defining opportunistic infection, cryptocococal meningitis, which made her blind, hard off hearing in both ears (uses hearing aids), now a wheelchair user, and her hands have been contracted and has dexterity of her thumb and forefinger on each hand (unfortunately the hospital staff was concentrating on keeping her alive that the problems with her hands became a secondary problem).

R. Orbit Clanton is Deputy Executive Director, and Co- founder of the AIDS Services Organization. Perceptions for People with Disabilities,(PPD) a grassroots 501(c) 3 non-profit organization located in Harlem, who's mission is to help visually impaired/blind, hard of hearing/deaf, physically and/or mentally challenged persons access services and resources. Formed in 2004, PPD advocates on behalf of the Differently-abled, promotes disability awareness, conducts research designed to inform service providers, stakeholders, and funders on the needs and concerns of individuals living with disabilities and HIV/AIDS. In addition to over seeing the financial development of the organization, and the day-to-day operations, and an AIDS activist. Mr. Clanton has been living with HIV/AIDS for twenty-six years.