"If
there were
such a thing
as a force
of destiny
in our lives,
I would
say that
Bob
Bowers
was born
for this
role; no
one has
carried
this difficult
mantle with
more dignity,
conviction,
purpose,
and compassion."
~Madeleine
Schwab
Cross Roads
High School
Santa Monica,
California
AIDS activist, Youth HIV/AIDS educator and long-term HIV/AIDS survivor
- Bob Bowers'
www.onetoughpirate.com
Feel free to copy and paste the below code to place our banner on your MySpace, Blog, website etc. I sincerely appreciate your friendship and support!
Follow One Tough Pirate on Twitter
I'd like to extend
my sincere and
heartfelt thanks for
your compassion,
love, support, and
for taking the time
to visit my personal
website! I sincerely
hope that you enjoy
your time spent
here. OTP has been
in existence for
over eight years.
This site pays
homage to hope,
survival and to the
over 25 million of
our courageous
brothers and
sisters, that were
taken from us far
too early in life.
My wish is that it
also lends hope and
understanding to
those who pass upon
these pages. No
matter what
obstacles we may
face in life, I
truly believe that
where there is a
will, there is a
way. May this site
be a reminder to us
all, myself
included, that we
are indeed one. May
we remember that
life is precious and
a wondrous passage
worthy of giving it
our all. I have
survived living with
HIV/AIDS for a
quarter of a century
and have dedicated
my life to educating
and empowering youth
and others about
this dreadful
scourge we call
AIDS. I am truly
blessed to be alive.
I despise the stigma
that continues to
drive the AIDS
epidemic. Through my
advocacy and
activism, I work
diligently to
address the core
issues of poverty,
racism, homophobia,
women's rights,
domestic violence,
homelessness,
addiction etc.
Regardless of
HIV/AIDS, it is
vital that we not
turn on backs on
those who need our
love and support. In
2006 I created our
youth AIDS awareness
poster contest,
to pose the simple
and profound
question, "What
if it Were You?"
I fight equally to
be a voice of hope,
knowing that we all
have obstacles to
overcome. I've come
to realize that
good, bad or ugly,
life is truly a
blessing. Throughout
these many years of
being a long-term
survivor of AIDS, an
AIDS activist, and
through my advocacy
as a youth HIV/AIDS
educator, I have had
the privilege and
honor to speak to
countless thousands
of students and
adults alike about
life and living life
with HIV/AIDS,
neither of which are
easy. Without a
doubt, education and
awareness remain
vital in helping to
stop the spread of
HIV. I hope that
through my speaking,
or in my day to day
interactions, that
I've helped empower
others to live life
to the fullest as
you have helped me!
I give endless
thanks and praise to
you, my family,
friends and those
individuals who have
blessed my voyage to
this point in life.
I say without a
doubt, "I did not
get here alone!"
Your involvement in
my life and/or words
of love and
encouragement, are
forever embedded in
my heart, soul,
mission and on the
many pages
throughout this
website! Once again,
welcome.
Compassion
is our cure!
There are no words to describe the impact that Bob Bowers has had on my students and me. He is a very courageous man with an extremely powerful life or death message. I have invited him to come and talk to our freshman class for the past two years and will continue to have him back in the future. I could easily go on and on about the importance of having a person of his caliber come and talk to your school or group, however I feel hearing it from the students makes it more relevant. After his presentation, the students are asked to write a reflection on what they thought of Bob’s message.
Here is what some of them said:
“Bob was an amazing speaker. He is doing one of the greatest things possible. He is sharing a story to help fight a pandemic. He made me not only realize to be a fighter for my own battles, but to use my own struggles and experiences to help others.”
“His story not only informed me on what the effects of HIV/AIDS can do to a person physically, butemotionally and spiritually as well. His speech was enlightening and it showed me the importance of keeping the quality of life as high as possible in addition to informing me about HIV/AIDS and other STIs.”
“I was very inspired by Bob Bowers and what he has gone through. I thought he was a great speaker and really connected on every human level. He was not just giving facts but really how it changes every aspect of your life when you get HIV. “
“He wasn’t just informative, he was real. He was very straightforward with the information and his problem. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. It was refreshing that he didn’t try to hide his emotions in front of the group. This was probably one of the best presentations I have seen.”
As you can tell from the statements above, Bob has left lasting impressions on my students. He has multiplied the value of our unit on HIV/AIDS by sharing his personal experiences in a way that reaches each and EVERY student. As Bob states, he is a man with a gift to share, and it is my hope that all people will continue to allow Bob to share his gift. It is with great respect and honor that I recommend Bob Bowers as one of the top educators for HIV/AIDS.
Respectfully,
Mekel Wiederholt Meier
Edgewood High School
Madison, Wisconsin
Oregon speaking tour-May and June 2009
Long-term AIDS survivors
and Youth HIV/AIDS
educators Rey Cordova,
Bob Bowers,
Rebekka
Armstrong and Kalee
Garland
HIVictorious' Oregon speaking tour included stops in
Portland, Albany,
Corvallis, Eugene and Alsea, Oregon...
We have over 100 years
of combined living with
HIV/AIDS. Stay tuned for
more news and photos... Click here for
exclusive photos from
our tour
Jail offering HIV education to inmates
The Capital Times —
5/20/2009
Dane
County Jail inmates are now able to get free education in
how to prevent and treat HIV, thanks to a Madison-based
organization brought in by the sheriff's office.
HIVictorious Inc., started
by activist Bob Bowers, who's
had HIV for 20 years, has been enlisted to make
presentations to inmates, to improve the health and lives of
the jail population.
HIV is prevalent at a much higher rate in correctional
facilities than in the general population, according to the
Journal of Urban Health.
"By improving the health and lives of our inmate population,
ultimately everyone wins," Sheriff Dave Mahoney said in a
release announcing the education program.
HIV/AIDS
educator Bob Bowers after presenting for the Dane County
Jail in Madison, Wisconsin
There is no
chance, no
destiny, no
fate, that can
hinder or
control the firm
resolve of a
determined
soul...
--Ella Wheeler
Wilcox
AIDS activists
Bob Bowers and
friends from ACT
UP Wisconsin
protesting in
front of the
Wisconsin
Department of
Health Services
building
in Madison,
Wisconsin. We
demand that the
disparity of
service in our
state ENDS!
Hello Friends,
As many of you
may have
noticed, I’ve
facilitated and
pressed to form
ACT UP
Wisconsin.
It has been
brought to my
attention and to
others in our
activist
organization
that our
relationship
with Greg
Milward could
have
‘repercussions.’
I
believe in my
heart-of-hearts
that Greg’s
vision and
agenda are in
the right place
to assure that
the
disparity of
services in our
state, that has
been so very
well documented,
never happens
again. His
vision is to
help assure that
all of us living
with HIV/AIDS in
Wisconsin
deserve the same
access to care, treatment and
services,
regardless of
which agency
serves us, or
which region of
the state we
live in. This is
something I
couldn’t agree
with more,
regardless of
how it needs to
happen. I
welcome and
celebrate the
current changes
that AIDS
Network has
implemented. I
look forward to
the day that I
don’t have to
travel to
Milwaukee to
access care and
services that
should have been
in Madison YEARS
ago.
I
don’t take
offense to
Greg’s bold and
courageous
stand, I stand
with him, we
stand with him!
I
DO take offense
that Greg, my
wife (Teresa),
Della, Ray,
Mark, Heidi,
Christina and I
are all being
labeled,
“embittered
dissidents!”
Many of us have
poured our
hearts and souls
into the AIDS
Network and the
ACT Rides, only
to be labeled,
“embittered
dissidents,” and
shunned by our
friends because
we are brave
enough to
publicly address
our concerns.
We’re tired of
rhetoric; we’re
tired of being
shunned and
driven to
silence!
I
am so very
grateful to
Karen Dotson and
Dan Guinn for
meeting with me
today. After
reading the
Isthmus article
that came out
today, (www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=25940)
I was incredibly
saddened and
completely
outraged and
offended. In
spite of my
tireless efforts
to lead by
example, take
the higher
ground, educate,
advocate,
SURVIVE, support
the agency and
ALL those who
support it,
including the
ACT Ride crew
and riders, I
now have earned
the glorious
label of
“embittered
dissident.”
My friends, my
motivations are
MY motivations.
Given the simple
fact that during
the four years
of being a
client of AIDS
Network I was
NEVER given a
reassessment,
how can you on
one hand call me
and my friends,
“embittered
dissidents,” and
on the other,
say you are
giving great
services. This
is NOT about me,
this is about
ALL of my
brothers and
sisters living
with HIV in the
state of
Wisconsin who
remain
voiceless,
powerless or for
any reason
unable to
advocate for
themselves.
My motivation to
now take a
public stance
and speak truth
to power to
State
Representative
Pocan, Dr.
Vergeront, AIDS
Network or
anyone involved
with AIDS
services in our
state, or lack
thereof , is MY
agenda!
If you think
ANYONE in our
ACT UP chapter
is damaging
themselves by
taking a stand
with Mr. Milward,
I encourage you
to speak with us
as a group;
let’s talk about
it!
The finger
pointing,
favoritism,
silence, apathy
and status quo
have NEVER
served the AIDS
movement.
Conversely, be
it issues at the
state or federal
level, rather
than settle and
remain silent,
we mobilize, we
strategize, we
come together as
individuals and
organizations
and DEMAND the
necessary
changes!
The point being,
my personal role
with ACT UP
Wisconsin is not
to attack any
one person or
organization. I
have nothing but
gratitude for
ALL that AIDS
Network has done
for me in years
past. I still
have nothing but
love and respect
for all who have
supported the
agency over the
years. I am not
being coerced by
Greg Milward, I
demand change!
I
don’t feel any
of us from ACT
UP Wisconsin
have a vendetta
for any
individual or
organization. We
all came to ACT
UP with our own
concerns and
issues, NOT
those that were
so called
‘contrived’ by
Greg and
www.wisconsinhiv.com.
If I am proven
wrong, I will be
the first to
admit it. In the
meantime, I
refuse to be
intimidated,
silenced or
swayed by AIDS
Network, its
supporters, our
state HIV/AIDS
Division and
lawmakers; nor
do I want Ms.
Haugen, Mr.
Milward, or
anyone from ACT
UP Wisconsin and
our communities
treated in this
manner.
My friends, we
are a group of
caring,
passionate,
compassionate,
committed,
infected and
affected
individuals who
know no bounds
and are willing
to PUBLICLY and
courageously
tackle the
issues that
others, for
whatever reason,
remain silent
about and/or
walk away in
antipathy, never
having the
chance to have a
public voice.
SILENCE=DEATH
and ACTION=LIFE!
We are FAR from
embittered, we
are resolute and
will NOT be
silenced, nor
allow our
brothers and
sisters to be
publicly
humiliated and
libeled for
taking an
unfavorable
stance by a
derogatory title
of “embittered
dissidents.”
I
wholeheartedly
believe that my
dear friends
from AIDS
Network, the ACT
Rides, my
family,
colleagues and
those living
with HIV/AIDS
would have far
more respect for
me taking a
stand, speaking
MY truth and
doing what I
feel is right
for the AIDS
movement in
Wisconsin and
beyond. I
believe that we
will all look
back on this one
day as a
historical and
unprecedented
stand in the
AIDS movement.
It’s time to
return to a
sense of urgency
and unity; it’s
TIME to put our
egos, paychecks
and differences
aside.
It’s TIME to put
the focus on the
FIGHT, not
survival at any
cost to save our
organizations,
paychecks or
pride.
It’s time to
DEMAND that ALL
persons living
with HIV/AIDS
are not treated
like victims,
but rather
empowered and
able to have an
equal voice,
equal access to
care, treatment
and services,
live with
dignity, purpose
and passion.
We’re not to
just accept the
crumbs we’re
given, as Larry
Kramer so
eloquently
spoke, but to
take a hard
look, a
difficult stand,
and to be part
of the solution,
not the problem.
AIDS Inc. has us
by the balls and
I refuse to
succumb!
If there are
repercussions
for this, if I
lose my DEAR
friends because
of my bold
stand, then so
be it. I can
hold my head
high now and
will go to my
grave knowing I
did what I felt
was truly right.
Like Greg
Milward and
countless others
who have gone
before us, I
have found the
courage to take
a bold and
unpopular stance
to assure that
we continue
striving for
access to care,
treatment and
services and
ultimately an
end to the
scourge of AIDS
on our planet.
If you choose to
shun me, I am
deeply saddened.
This is exactly
why I
cut-to-the-chase
and met with Dan
Guinn and Karen
Dotson today at
AIDS Network.
I’m not leaving
room for any
doubt of where I
stand. I’ve
always worn my
heart on my
sleeve,
literally, and
this moment is
no exception.
Anyone who knows
me, knows that
I’m one of the
most committed,
passionate and
caring people
living with and
advocating on
behalf those of
us living with
this dreadful
disease. I have
nothing but love
and overwhelming
gratitude to
those who
support the
fight against
AIDS.
To my friends
that I’ve met
through the
agency, the
concerned
supporters of
AIDS Network, or
anyone else, if
you have ANY
doubt of where
my head or heart
is at, whether
my agenda is
pure, what
motivates me to
ACT UP, please
address me and
leave the
details of your
opinions about
others in ACT UP
out of it. My
truth is MY
truth!
This is a matter
of principal and
accountability.
As Ms. Dotson
stated so well,
“we can ALL do
better.” I say,
we MUST do
better!
Thanks so much
for doing what
you do. VERY
important. I
think many
people feel they
don't know
anyone who has
HIV/AIDS. I'm
guessing many
people actually
DO know someone
affected by
it... they just
don't know that
they know
someone. People
are so scared
still that it's
not typically
talked about
openly. It needs
to be talked
about. I have a
friend who's
been living with
AIDS for over a
decade now.
He'll tell
anyone who asks,
he doesn't lie
about it, but he
doesn't
necessarily
advertise it
either. Too much
stigma, too much
at risk for him
to lose. Things
must change.
Thank you so
much for your
site and for
doing what you
do. It's so
important to
educate the
public. You're
awesome!
Best wishes to
you,
Kristina
AIDS activists
Bob and Teresa Bowers
with friends
from ACT UP
Wisconsin
demonstrating in
front of AIDS
Network
in
Madison,
Wisconsin. We
have been
silenced long
enough and WE
DEMAND CHANGE!
Some people think that a
hero is someone like a
firefighter, soldier or
a sports star. Someone
who is brave, honest and
invincible. After
listening to you speak
the other day, I would
say the true hero is
you. You are brave
because you can say what
you feel and express
your emotions in front
of 100's of people.
Living with AIDS for 23
years makes you
invincible and for that,
I give you my utmost
respect and thanks. I
never thought that
someone could change my
outlook of life in just
one hour. Out of all the
lectures and
speeches I've listened
to in my life, yours was
by far the best. You
give people a glimpse
into the real world of a
person living with AIDS
and you definitely got
through to us. You break
the stereotypical image
of a person with AIDS.
You didn't want to tell
us what to do, which
made us instantly like
you. Someone who has the
ability to make a group
of people laugh, cry,
and think, has an
amazing talent. I wish I
knew the words to say
how much I appreciate
you coming to to speak.
I wish you the best of
luck on the rest of your
journey through life. If
I could achieve just a
fraction of what you
have done in my life, I
could die happy. But for
now, we both know who
the hero is.
Love,
Bailey S.
Youth HIV/AIDS educator
Bob Bowers at Edgewood High School in
Madison, Wisconsin-GO
CRUSADERS!
All
I can say is WOW!! You
have definitely
impressed me. I know the
world needs more
compassionate people
like yourself. There is
a quote from a spiritual
leader Moses Brings
Plenty of the Lakota
Nation. "This world is
filled humans, but there
are only a handful of
human beings." You are
truly a human being.
My
husband and I watched 'The
Fire Within' last
night. It was so
powerful and heartfelt.
You are an amazing
spirit Bob. You are a
brave 'WARRIOR' and you
put up a good
fight against HIV/AIDS.
I hope you are doing
well today! It's a day
at a time. I thank you
for the work you are
doing and the hope you
instill.
Peace, Good Health and
Many, Many Blessings
friend,
~Nancy~
This
movie was a real life
view into what a person,
with HIV, and those
closest to them, go
through daily. The
mental and physical toll
in the process of
fighting this disease
can be difficult in many
ways. It is a story
which is important
because there are so
many good people out
there struggling to
maintain their dignity
and quality of life.
Some people isolate
themselves and feel
quite alone. The best
thing about this film is
that it shows those
people they are not
alone, and that they can
have pride in their
fight against this
disease.
Bob,
I was just on your
website and I must say I
loved it. You are a real
inspiration to people
with or with out
HIV/AIDS. I commend you
for all you do.
~Liz
Bob
Bowers and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz with Dab the
AIDS Bear-Edgewood High School
Yo
keep up the great work
wish u the best. you are
a huge force almost
unreal and inspire all
those people that need
help. u need to be
recognized more
worldwide if possible.
with more people like
you the world would be
better place-cya
Thank
you. You have done an
amazing job of of
turning lemons into
lemonade. U have taken
ur mistakes and
misfortune and accepted
it and used your
experiences to educate
our generation to ensure
that we r not faced with
the same difficulties
that u did. So I just
wanted to say thank you.
U gave an engaging and
informational life
lesson that I will never
forget.
Your
ink is AMAZING! You are truly an inspiration, and I
applaud all your energy and effort you have dedicated to
such a worthy cause!
~Steven
The
world needs more people like you Bob. Your
an inspiration to many and that includes me!
Thank you!
~Viola
Thank
you Bob, but I think I am the blessed one to
see such a wonderful person committed like
you are and so positive and loving:) God's
many blessing to you
~Carolyn
The
world needs more people like you Bob. You're
an inspiration to many.
~Daniel
I
tripped over your website and found it
inspiring and your
tattoos cool as hell. Keep doing what
you're doing man, you're making the world a
better place."
World Aids Day
focuses on what you
can do
to combat the
disease
At first glance,
dressed in black,
with
tattoos running
up and down both
arms, and a
skull-like silver
belt buckle, Bob
Bowers is an
imposing figure.
That is until he
starts to to talk
about living with
HIV/AIDS for 23
years. Tears start
flowing and the
tough guy persona
melts away.
The tears, he says,
aren’t about his
life. They are for
the millions of
people around the
world who have died
from the disease or
its complications.
Many of them were
his friends.
Thursday, Bowers and
Kalee Garland, 21,
who was born with
HIV which turned
into “full blown
AIDS” when she was
just 7 years old,
spoke at Linn-Benton
Community College
during World AIDS
day. Their visit was
sponsored by the
college’s Student
Life and Leadership
office.
“We have lost 25
million brothers and
sisters so far,”
Bowers said. “Yet,
this is a
preventable
disease.”
An Oregon native,
Bowers said AIDS is
an extension of
social issues
including extreme
poverty, racism, and
physical and mental
abuse. Bowers lost
his mother when he
was 10 and never
knew a real father
figure. He went
looking for love and
often in the wrong
places. At 19, he
was living a fast
life of drugs and
unprotected sex in
Los Angeles.
At 21, he was
diagnosed with what
was then called Gay
Related Immune
Deficiency. He said
AIDS no longer
garners front page
headlines because
people believe there
are “drug cocktails”
that have defeated
the disease.
“Those cocktails are
actually
chemotherapeutic
medications,” Bowers
said. “They are
powerful, they make
you sick. It isn’t
pleasant and they
cost thousands of
dollars per month.”
They also don’t work
for everyone with
AIDS.
Bowers said HIV/AIDS
does not
discriminate by
social class. It is
not a homosexual
disease.
“It’s not who you
are, it’s what you
do,” Bowers said.
“If you want to
shoot dope, don’t
share needles. If
you want to have
sex, use a condom.”
Garland is a San
Diego, Calif. native
who learned about
her disease after a
teacher thought she
had been abused at
home. Bruises were
outward signs of her
disease.
“I love my life. I
was supposed to die
at age 7,” Garland
said. “I am not a
survivor; I am a
fighter.”
Garland has endured
the inability to
fight off infections
caused by the
disease, including
battling meningitis
four times and
having 68 spinal
taps during her many
stays in hospitals.
She has also
suffered from the
ignorance of others,
including teachers,
when it comes to
HIV/AIDS.
Garland is engaged
to be married and
says her fiancé does
not have HIV/AIDS.
Bowers was married
for 11 years and his
wife did not have
HIV/AIDS, nor does
she now. He has been
in a 3-year
relationship with a
woman who does not
have HIV/AIDS.
Protection, Bowers
and Garland agree,
is mandatory, not
just because of
AIDS, but also to
protect yourself
from more than two
dozen sexually
transmitted
diseases. The two
encouraged the
audience to be
involved by becoming
educated, getting
tested, volunteering
with programs such
as the Valley Aids
Information Network
and supporting
legislation to find
a cure for the
disease.
I can think of few who should be honored in such a way. You inspire SO many. Whether it's Camp Heartland, the ACT Rides, a rally in Texas, or an informational session in LA, you are amazing. More than that, you are a beacon of hope that 20+ years is possible. Keep up the good work.
