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Camp Getaway-Elkhorn,
Wisconsin
August 14-19, 2005
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"Giving is the first
step that takes
you outside your
narrow circle of
ego,
into the infinite
circle of love..."
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Hi,
Bob. You came to my
health class at East last
semester, but I never got
around to thanking you for
helping me understand what
it's like to
live with HIV/AIDS.
Thank You!
~ Joe |
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Just
checked out your sites and
watched the you tube....Bob,
you are awesome! I have two
kids myself, a son 10 and a
daughter 15. I will sit them
down by the computer one
night and share your sites
with them.
I'm so happy to be ur
friend!
Fondly,
Leah |
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Camp Getaway
is a 'Positive Family Camp' for
children and families who are either
infected or affected by HIV/AIDS
in their life. This year was the
12th year that the camp has opened
it's hearts and gates to those impacted
by this
 pandemic. To get to experience
a camp with both the families and
children was a bonding and rewarding
experience beyond words. I was a
group counselor for the 7-9 year
old campers, who we would share
in daily camp activities together
with. Each counselor was also assigned
to a specific family to be with
for the week. My family and I would
share breakfast and dinner together
each
day, giving us time to bond and
get to know one another better.
My family possessed a bond that
was utterly amazing. It was such
a true pleasure and inspiration
to share the week with the McCullom's!
I've witnessed such courage and
beauty in the youth through both
of my camp experiences this summer.
However, to listen to the parents
share their
personal stories was
overwhelming and inspiring beyond
all words. On numerous occasions,
I was moved to tears of empathy
and compassion for the bravery and
conviction these parents have for
themselves, life and their families.
I was fortunate to address the families
about my own
experiences living
with HIV/AIDS, as well as to share
my knowledge of the current state
of affairs surrounding this disease,
including budget cuts, reduced access
to medications, services, apathy,
complacency etc. The outpouring
of support was amazing! I received
hand written letters to President
Bush from parents sharing their
plight to survive and have access
to life saving medications and services.
I will hand deliver them in
Crawford,
Texas this week to the press in
hopes that people realize how intensely
AIDS affects us all and our struggle
to survive and live our lives with
quality and dignity. My first time
volunteering at Camp Getaway is
an experience that is etched deep
into my heart and soul! I can't
thank Mark, Sherry and all the staff
and counselors for inviting me into
their 'home' and hearts. I would
also like to extend a gracious thank
you to my Angels, Lora Wilkinson
and Della Haugen for guiding me
to Camp Getaway this summer. I am
sincerely humbled by this most profound
experience!
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As I was listening to
the life story of Bob
Bowers, I was glad to
see him standing in
front of 160 freshmen as
he told us what he has
gone through. Bob was
able to show me that
people with
HIV are like
every other person,
except they have to be
aware that they have
HIV. I am now able to
understand that he
doesn't see having HIV
as a handicap, but only
an opportunity. I have
learned many different
things from Bob. He has
convinced me that there
are ways to prevent the
world's largest epidemic
and everyone can help.
~ Marc. P. |
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Camp Getaway counselors rule! |
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Nothing but love for my friends
at Camp Getaway! |
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HIV positive speaker
Bob Bowers with
students from La
Follette High School in
Madison, Wisconsin |
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Dear Friends,
If you haven't met Bob Bowers or heard him speak, you have missed an inspirational man with a profound message for life. At opening ceremonies of AIDS Walk Wisconsin his remarks have energized thousands of people to increase their commitment to the fight against AIDS. He is a wonderful educator and a powerful advocate who exemplifies the new reality that people with HIV disease have the opportunity to live long, healthy and productive lives. I commend Bob to you as a man of the highest integrity whose dedication and leadership are making a big difference in this epic battle against AIDS.
Sincerely,
Doug Nelson
President and CEO
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
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Da Pirate
CELEBRATES 45 years of living life and 25 years of
living with HIV/AIDS!
Click for more photos of Da Pirate
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HIV positive speaker
and
AIDS activist Bob
Bowers,
One Tough Pirate,
also known simply as
"Da
Pirate,"
has been living with
and surviving
HIV/AIDS for 25
years.
Bob
started as a
youth HIV/AIDS
educator
with peer education
programs in Los
Angeles shortly
after his diagnosis.
To broaden his
personal message of
prevention through
education,
hope and
awareness of the
disease,
Bob founded the
nonprofit
HIV/AIDS educational
organization,
HIVictorious, Inc.
in 2005.
HIVictorious
addresses
youth HIV/AIDS
education and
prevention
and provides
AIDS awareness in
Madison, Wisconsin
and throughout the
United States
through Bob's public
speaking and it's
AIDS awareness
poster contest,
"What
if it Were You?"
Mr. Bowers
long-term survivor
of HIV/AIDS,
and someone who has
lost dozen of
friends to AIDS,
Bob is
wholeheartedly
committed to
educating today's
youth and young
adults,
about the realities
of
HIV/AIDS
as well as
living with AIDS
long-term.
Mr. Bowers
is a champion for
hope and survival
despite some of the
difficult
circumstances that
we ALL face in life. |
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