PMF’s Story

At the age of one, Monue lost his mother, and he was then raised by his grandmother, where he watched his grandmother care for pregnant women as a midwife in Liberia. After graduating from high school, Monue applied and graduated from college. After college graduation, Monue continued his academic career, applying for a Master of Nursing program. However, during preliminary health checks, Monue found out he has hepatitis B. Although the nursing school threatened to take away his acceptance, Monue wrote an essay fighting for his position pointing to the laws prohibiting discrimination based on his diagnosis and showing how his viral load was near zero. Shortly after, Monue was admitted into his Master of Nursing program, where he graduated with a nursing degree a few short months after. Like his grandmother, Monue kept fighting and did not let hepatitis B stop him from achieving his dreams.

Discussion Questions and Answers:

How did Monue’s upbringing shape her resilience in facing challenges like hepatitis B?
(Monue grew up witnessing her grandmother’s strength and care during Liberia’s civil war, which inspired her independence and determination to overcome obstacles, including her health diagnosis.)

What barriers did Monue encounter after her hepatitis B diagnosis, and how did she respond?
(She faced potential discrimination when her nursing school tried to rescind her acceptance. By educating herself about her rights and advocating persistently, she fought to continue her education.)

What does Monue’s story teach us about perseverance and fighting stigma related to hepatitis B?
(Her story shows how knowledge, courage, and advocacy can overcome fear and discrimination, empowering people with hepatitis B to pursue their dreams.)

#justB Optimistic