Wisconsin and United States HIV/AIDS prevention, education in jails, prisons, correctional facilities and schools
Speakers doing HIV/AIDS prevention, education in jails, prisons, correctional facilities, schools, colleges, universities-Bob Bowers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

Speakers doing HIV/AIDS education, prevention in jails, prisons, correctional facilities-AIDS activists, long-term survivors and youth HIV/AIDS education-Bob Bowers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

Speakers doing HIV/AIDS education, prevention in jails, prisons, correctional facilities, schools, colleges & universities-Madison, Wisconsin and United States

Speakers doing HIV/AIDS education-prevention in jails, prisons, correctional facilities-Speakers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States
 
HIV/AIDS education, prevention and awareness in jails, prison, correctional facilities by Bob Bowers aka One Tough Pirate
Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers a.k.a. One Tough Pirate
 
 

Send your questions to Da Pirate and I will post the answers below!

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 I welcome and will sincerely answer all of your questions to the best of my ability, fire away!

 
 
 

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I just have to tell you, although my life has not been touched by HIV/AIDS, my heart goes out to those who have, and looking at your website is an inspiration for everyone! Thank You from everyone whose life you have touched, you are an angel to all! Keep up the GREAT work    ~Deena
 
 

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Da Pirate and Friends

 
 
Bob Bowers a.k.a. Da Pirate is a youth HIV/AIDS educator providing prevention through education in the United States. Bob has been living with HIV/AIDS for 26 years and has made it his life-mission to educate youth as well as adults about the disease. Bob is very outspoken about his diagnosis and his life experiences. To broaden his message of hope and compassion, he founded HIVictorious, Inc. in 2005. As an HIV positive speaker, Bob knows first hand the importance of putting a face to the disease in hopes of reducing AIDS stigma. He is far from the 'stereotypical' image of a person with AIDS, thus having a profound and lasting impact on his audiences. He speaks to middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, jails, prisons and various community-based organizations. Mr. Bowers is also a leading and well respected advocate and AIDS activist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Bob is living proof that there is nothing impossible in this world if you apply yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally. Bob uses his life experiences as an activist and advocate to address broader social issues such as racism and homophobia that continue to drive the AIDS epidemic. In 2006, Bob created the youth HIV/AIDS awareness poster campaign, "What if it Were You?" It is his mission to tackle this very stigma while maintaining every day awareness of HIV/AIDS in our schools and communities. Please take some time to visit the amazing AIDS awareness posters that the high school students have created. Bob has a can-do approach and believes in unity in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Appreciating that, with the political and collective will, we can and will end the scourge of AIDS on our planet. Mr. Bowers is a champion for hope and survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life.
 

HIV/AIDS prevention education in jails and correctional facilities-Madison, Wisconsin and the United States

 
 
HIV/AIDS education in jails and schools in Madison, Wisconsin and the United States
 

HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers after speaking at Pitchess Detention Center in Los Angeles, California

 

AIDS activist Bob Bowers and Youth HIV/AIDS education-OTP social networking sites-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

Good afternoon Bob,

Bob, lets be clear you appreciate us because we are a reflection of you. Your energy and presence are an inspiration to us all. We are very diligent and passionate about what we do and we want to forever spread the message of hope, love, and passion about fighting HIV.

With Love, Honor, and RESPECT!
~Justin
 

Madison, Wisconsin AIDS Activist, youth HIV/AIDS educator and long-term survivor-Bob Bowers Facebook profile

  Madison, Wisconsin and United States AIDS activists & Youth HIV/AIDS educators-Bob Bowers One Tough Pirate's MySpace profile   AIDS activist - Follow Bob Bowers on Twitter   living with hiv/aids - Bob Bowers YouTube page
 

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AIDS activist and youth HIV/AIDS educator-Bob Bowers provides HIV/AIDS education in jails, prisons and schools in Madison, Wisconsin and the United States

 
FAQ for HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate-Wisconsin and the United States
 

Q: What do you do to get your mind off HIV?

A: I love music, motorcycles, weight lifting, computers, movies, writing, chess, web design, photography, staying in touch with friends and family, travel and being of service. However, there are many days I just can’t avoid it. I don’t know that it’s ever entirely off of it, but the "distractions" do help.


Q: How do you stay in such great shape?

A: Great shape? I suppose that’s relative. :) A dear friend who passed away from AIDS in the 80’s once told me, “a virus needs a strong host to survive.” Using my knowledge of fitness I set out to do just that. It’s one aspect of my self-care that makes the biggest difference for me physically as well as emotionally. I do moderate exercise using resistance training as well as aerobics 3-5 times a week as my schedule and health allows.


Q: Are you happy all the time?

A: Even though I have so much to be grateful for and happy about, no, I’m pretty sensitive and a lot of life’s shit gets to me, including not being able to take my health for granted. I have an immense amount of pain from the loss I suffered from the early age of ten when my Mom died from breast cancer. I’m happiest when I’m not feeling sick and I’m able to be productive by being of service and making real connections with others. I don’t have much tolerance for ignorance and bullshit in my life.

Q: Has it gotten easier or harder to live with HIV as the years pass?

A: It depends on the time of day; it can be that fragile for me. It truly is a full time job to care for myself and balance that with life, relationships and my mission. As difficult as it still is at times, I’d say overall it is easier as I’m far more at peace about it all. The advances in HIV treatment have made it much easier for me on the medical front. Then there are the emotions of it all. Besides a few days in the hospital last December, these last two years were indeed some of the healthiest, most productive and rewarding years of my life. .

Q: Was there ever a time you didn't think you'd make it?

A: During my time w/ cardiomyopathy in the ER getting an emergency angiogram was by far one of the scariest moments. At that same time, my thyroid function had virtually stopped and I was going through a multitude of other struggles, including HIV drug resistance and debilitating side effects from the medications to treat HIV. Being told this type of heart condition was irreversible left me with not much hope of a future, until I once again got educated and empowered about the issue. After years of seeking the best care and treatment, I now have a normal ejection fraction. The process has indeed been reversed!

Q: What's the craziest thing you've ever tried on the treatment front?

A: Where do I begin? If it was an option for survival in the 80’s, I most likely tried it. One of the craziest was sticking whole garlic cloves dipped in peanut oil up my ass to detox my colon. I just couldn’t succumb to drinking my own urine however, I do have my limits!

Q: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were positive? did you understand what that meant?

A: This is a bit difficult for me to put into words. However, I would say my initial reaction was one of total shock and overwhelming fear and hopelessness. In 1984 there was not much known of HIV/AIDS, let alone of what this exactly meant to me and my future. So no, I really had no good grasp of what my diagnosis meant other than being a 'death sentence.' I quickly educated myself as best I could. With having an initial diagnosis of AIDS Related Complex (ARC) and not 'full blown AIDS,' I knew there was at least some hope and I desperately clung to that very hope. Upon receiving my actual HIV positive test results, I was still in utter shock and denial. All I really knew then is that I had the same virus and symptoms of my friends that were rapidly dying of AIDS and it was overwhelming to say the very least.


Q:  When inquiring, what do you look for in a bike? When admiring, what is attractive to you about a bike? ~BB

A: The first thing I would say is to find a bike suitable for your riding abilities. Things such as motor size, overall bike size, seat height etc. The next aspect would be practicalities. Does the model of bike have a sound mechanical and design history? Are you planning to use it for touring, shorter distances or both? Does it have saddle bags to hold gear, protection from the elements etc? How much will insurance cost? Sport bikes have a pretty outrageous insurance premium. Then there is always the cost of the bike. As in buying cars, be prepared to 'waste' if you decide to not buy used. Harley's have one of the best re-sale values of bikes on the market. For Japanese models they do not hold their value nearly as well. I'd definitely consider buying used from a reputable source. Beyond being practical it really boils down to personal tastes. In Harley Davidson's I prefer the NOISE, nostalgia, chrome and the classic Harley lines, my love is the Road King! In sport bikes, I prefer the 'sexier' looking bikes with stylish fairings, to the more 'stripped down' models. My choice is the Honda CBR and the Suzuki Hyabusa. "Live to Ride."

Q: Are men more prone to contracting HIV than women?

A: In heterosexual relationships, no. Women are typically more prone to contracting HIV considering they are on the 'receiving end.' The statistics back that fact. That does not mean that a man cannot be exposed to HIV from contact with vaginal fluids and blood. With reference to men who have sex with men, the receiving partner of anal sex is at much greater risk. When we are talking about transmission through blood, we are all equal on that level sharing needles to inject drugs, steroids, body piercing, tattoos etc.  HIV does not discriminate. Remember, it's not who you are, its what you do that puts you at risk!


Q: Do you feel that you are making a difference in the lives of the students and teachers when you talk to them about AIDS and HIV?

A: I do indeed! It is just 'this' that helps motivate me and keep me going in life. I'm very perceptive of my audiences and I can see when I look into their eyes that if even for a moment, I've helped them to look at  people living  with HIV/AIDS differently, but life in general. My talks with students encompass so much more than just prevention of the disease. The written responses I receive from the schools are pretty overwhelming  and humbling to say the least. They say if you can save just one life you've succeeded. I can say with great conviction, "mission accomplished." It is most definitely a 'win win' situation!


Q: How long have you been infected for?

A: I have been infected with HIV for 26 years.


Q: Why did you do it Mr. Bob? Why did you throw your life away? Didn't you know about AIDS?

A: I appreciate this question! The choices I was making at the time were not great ones. As simple as I can put it, I fell prey to peer pressure, my addictions and lack of knowledge. There are no excuses. With regards to throwing my life away, HIV/AIDS is indeed a tough way to learn in life, but I hardly view my life as thrown away. Rather, I view my disease as a gift and a blessing and have used my time living with it to share my life experiences with others. As I say, AIDS just makes life that much more complicated and indeed it has for me at times. For the most part, I've been able to live somewhat of a normal existence, whatever 'normal' is. In fact I feel I've been able to experience even more of life's blessings due to my illness. As far as knowing about HIV in 1983, they didn't even have a test for HIV at that time. I absolutely did not know that by making a less than better choices, AIDS would be the resulting consequence of the decisions I made. 


Q: When you go out on a date, do you tell them you have HIV?

A: Yes, I'm extremely responsible about this. I typically disclose the fact that I am HIV positive before it even comes to a 'date' and/or any chance of intimacy that could possibly transmit the virus.


Q: Do you ever consider getting married?

A: I am married to an amazing woman who is HIV negative. Previously, I was married for nearly 11 years to a woman who was and remained HIV negative throughout our relationship.


Q: Are you able to have children without infecting your wife?

A: It is indeed possible for sero-discordant couples to give birth to healthy children. There are a couple of ways this can be done, one being sperm washing. It can be quite expensive however.


Q: How did you contract HIV?

A: I contracted HIV through the sharing of a 'tainted' needle to inject drugs. It was my girlfriend and another couple all sharing the same needle. However, at the time (1983) I was also having unprotected sex. Either way I could have been exposed to HIV. Knowing how easy blood-to-blood transmission of HIV is, makes sharing the needle the more likely option of transmission in my situation.


Q: What and when was your AIDS diagnosis?

A: In 1984 I was told that I had "AIDS or Cancer and to prepare for the worst." My official diagnosis of AIDS Related Complex (ARC) came in 1985 and it was later that year I was told I had AIDS, esophageal candidiasis.


Q: How long do you usually have AIDS before you die of it.

A: This is a tough one to answer. As with most things in life there is no 'one way.' Prior to medications to treat HIV infection, one will develop AIDS within 10 years of being infected with HIV, death would be a few years after the AIDS diagnosis. In the era of the "drug cocktail" or HAART, it is possible to consider that someone infected could live a normal lifespan. There are so many other variables to consider. Lifestyle, stable housing, access to care and treatment etc. that play a huge role in helping to prolong life with AIDS. I personally have defied the odds that were given to me in the early 80's. I have many friends who have been diagnosed with AIDS and are living far beyond the norm. On the contrary, I've lost many friends to AIDS within a very short time. There is more hope than ever before and it is vital that someone newly diagnosed not view HIV/AIDS as a death sentence.


Q: How much medicine to you have to take for HIV/AIDS and how often?

A: I am currently prescribed 10 different medications and take about 10 pills a day, including injections. This is down from an all time high of 65 pills a day and multiple weekly injections about 10 years ago. HIV medications and medications to treat side effects, vary from person to person.

Annoy them survive - Lark Lands

 
 
 

The Capital Times
Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate or One Tough Pirate-AIDS activist-Madison, Wisconsin and United States HIV/AIDS news/awareness

Jail offering HIV education to inmates

The Capital Times

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.

Youth HIV/AIDS education, prevention, awareness in schools in Wisconsin and the United States More news on long-term AIDS survivor Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate
 
 

 

HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers after presenting for the Dane County Jail in Madison, Wisconsin

 

youth HIV/AIDS prevention, education, advocacy & awareness in schools, jails, prisons, correctional facilities-Madison, Wisconsin-United States

 

youth hiv/aids prevention comprehensive sex education in schools, colleges, jails and universities in Madison, Wisconsin and the United States-Bob Bowers

 
 
Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers providing prevention through education at La Follette High School in Madison, Wisconsin
 

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers with students from La Follette High School in Madison, Wisconsin

 
I'm so very proud of you Bob for sending out the most positive message to these youth and for breaking down the walls of stigma. YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

~ Phoenix
 
Hey Bob, I go to Edgewood. I really enjoy your presentations and what you do. :)

~ Natasha
 
My Pirate friend, YOU'RE the one who's amazing! You continue your quest no matter what. I hope everyone knows how lucky they are to know you. If ever there was a "winner" in this game called life, it's YOU!

~ Marty
 
   

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers with Upward Bound students at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin

 

 

HIV/AIDS prevention education in jails, prisons and correctional facilities-Madison, Wisconsin and the United States

 
   

HIV/AIDS educators Bob "Da Pirate" and Kalee having some fun outside the Benton County Jail after presentation

 

Facts about HIV/AIDS in jails and prisons:

In the U.S., one in four persons with HIV passes through a jail or prison each year.
(Weinbaum et al., 2005)

 

A study in 2002 estimated that about one-quarter of the U.S. population infected with HIV had spent some time each year in a prison or jail.

 
I just wanted to drop you a quick little message and tell you how much I enjoyed your sight it is nice to see someone that is just pushing the message about aids to anyone and everyone, we need more people out there to realize that this is real and it can happen to anyone regardless of age, sex, sexual preference and race . Have a wonderful day and take care!

~Amber F.

 
   

Kalee was born HIV positive. She is now 21! Click to learn more about this amazing young lady, survivor and educator

 
HIV/AIDS public speakers for education prevention in jails, prisons-correctional facilities
 
   

Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers after speaking to students of Dane County Transition School in Madison, Wisconsin

 
 
AIDS documentary The Fire Within rent it on NetFlix

 

 

 
HIV/AIDS speakers doing prevention, AIDS education in jails, prisons and correctional facilities-Wisconsin and the United States
 

It has been so very rewarding to return to my work of speaking about HIV/AIDS education-prevention in jails,
prisons and correctional facilities in Wisconsin and the United States. A warm and heartfelt
thank you to Marie King and the staff and inmates of New Lisbon Correctional Facility in New Lisbon, Wisconsin

 

Marie and I looked at your website all afternoon. Thanks again for coming and speaking to the guys today; I talked to a lot of them afterwards and they were raving to other inmates that did not attend how "fuckin awsome" it was.  You were so real and that is the best way to get through to them; it was very inspirational and you not only touched the inmates but staff too. Thanks again....

~Tracy
 
Bob,

I just wanted to send you a quick note that I think it's really cool that you're reaching out to inmates. They are such an under-served population. I used to do volunteer work in prisons a few years back, but I had to stop. I don't believe in giving up on anybody. Everyone has the power to change if they want to. I was always writing letters to legislatures about issues with the prison population, especially things that had to do with health care. 99% of people don't care about inmates rights or prison outreach at all, but it is so important. Ghandi said "You can judge a society by how they treat their weakest members." How are people supposed to turn their life around if no one helps them address whatever is wrong? Thanks so much for all that you do, especially for all the inmates. May your light keep shining brightly on...

:) Tammy
 
WOW! Great news about bringing your message & story to the correctional facilities. I'm so proud to call you my friend Bob. You are doing such powerful work and profoundly changing lives. I admire you so much.

Much love and big hugs,
Nancy
 
Youth HIV/AIDS education, prevention, awareness in schools in Wisconsin and the United States Read more letters to Bob Bowers aka Da Pirate
 
March 11, 2009

CONGRESSWOMAN WATERS INTRODUCES THE STOP AIDS IN PRISON ACT

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) re-introduced the Stop AIDS in Prison Act (H.R. 1429) today. She announced the introduction of this bill at the Congressional Summit on the Effects of HIV and Incarceration on Communities of Color, an event on Capitol Hill organized by the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC).

"The Stop AIDS in Prison Act will help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among prison inmates, encourage them to take personal responsibility for their health, and reduce the risk that they will transmit HIV/AIDS to other people in the community following their release from prison," said Congresswoman Waters.

Original cosponsors of the Stop AIDS in Prison Act include Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; and Rep. Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, which has jurisdiction over federal prisons.

"I am honored to have the support of Judiciary Committee leaders for the Stop AIDS in Prison Act, and I look forward to working with the House leadership to pass it," said the Congresswoman.

The Stop AIDS in Prison Act was passed by the House of Representatives during the 110th Congress by voice vote. However, the Senate did not complete action on the bill prior to adjournment.

"AIDS is spreading in our nation's jails and prisons. In 2005, the Department of Justice reported that the rate of confirmed AIDS cases in prisons was three times higher than in the general population. We
need to take the threat of HIV/AIDS seriously and confront it in every institution of our society. That includes our nation's prison system," said Congresswoman Waters.

The Stop AIDS in Prison Act requires the Bureau of Prisons to test all Federal prison inmates for HIV upon entering prison and again prior to release from prison, unless the inmate opts out of taking the test. The bill also requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all inmates and comprehensive treatment for those inmates who test positive.

Congresswoman Waters has been a leader of congressional efforts to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic. During the last Congress, she sponsored five initiatives to promote HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment.

1. She introduced H.R.1943, the Stop AIDS in Prison Act, which passed the House.

2. She introduced H.R. 822, the Routine HIV/AIDS Screening Coverage Act. This bill would require health insurance plans to cover routine HIV tests under the same terms and conditions as other routine health screenings and therefore encourage and enable more Americans to be tested for HIV/AIDS. A total of 44 Members of Congress cosponsored this bill.

3. She continued her efforts to expand the Minority AIDS Initiative, which she established in 1998 to expand HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment among minorities, which have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. She sent a letter to House appropriators requesting $610 million for the Initiative in fiscal year 2009, and 79 Members of Congress signed her letter.

4. She introduced H.Con.Res. 426, a resolution to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Minority AIDS Initiative. This resolution passed both the House and the Senate.

5. She introduced H.Res. 1359, a resolution to honor the first annual National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day. A total of 29 Members of Congress cosponsored this resolution.

###

Michael Levin
Communications Director
Congresswoman Maxine Waters
 

 
 HIV/AIDS speakers doing prevention, education in jails, prisons and correctional facilities-Wisconsin and the United States
 

HIV/AIDS education-prevention in jails, prisons and correctional facilities in Wisconsin and the United States.
HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers and Marie King, New Lisbon Correctional Facility Social Worker in New Lisbon, Wisconsin

 
 

 

 
Bob Bowers is a youth HIV/AIDS educator doing advocacy, prevention through education, as well as raising awareness of the disease in the United States. Bob has been living with HIV/AIDS for 27 years. To broaden his message of education, prevention, hope and compassion, he founded HIVictorious, Inc. in 2005. Mr. Bowers is a leading and well respected advocate and AIDS activist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Bob has been very outspoken about his diagnosis and his life struggles and personal choices prior to the time of his infection. He speaks to middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, jails and various community organizations. Bob Bowers is living proof that there is nothing impossible in this world if you apply yourself, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Mr. Bowers is a champion for hope and survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life and uses his life-experiences with HIV/AIDS to address broader social issues that drive the AIDS epidemic. In 2006, Bob created the youth HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, "What if it Were You?" as a way to help keep every day awareness of HIV/AIDS in our schools and communities. Please take some time to visit the amazing AIDS awareness posters that the high school students have created. Together we can and will end the scourge of AIDS on our planet.
 
 

 "Compassion is our cure." ~Bob Bowers

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Speakers doing HIV/AIDS education, prevention in jails, prisons, correctional facilities-AIDS activists, long-term survivors and youth HIV/AIDS education-Bob Bowers-Madison, Wisconsin-United States