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I just have to tell you, although my life has not been touched by AIDS/HIV, 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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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 as early as age nine when my Mom passed. 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 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. 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: No. Remember, HIV does not discriminate. When it comes to sex however, women are typically more prone 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. When we are talking about transmission through blood, we are all equal on that level, body piercing, tattoos etc.


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 and I can just see when I look into their eyes that if even for a moment, I've helped them to look at not only HIV/AIDS but life just a little differently. The written responses I receive are pretty overwhelming 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 the HIV virus for 25 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 are indeed a tough way to learn in life, but I hardly view my life as thrown away. I rather  view my life as a gift and a blessing and have used my time to share my life experiences with others. As I say, "HIV/AIDS just makes life that much more complicated and indeed it has for me at times." For the most part though 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/AIDS at that time in 1983, I absolutely did not know that by making less than better choices that HIV/AIDS was a consequence of those choices. They didn't even have a test for the HIV virus at that time.


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.


Q: Do you ever consider getting married?

A: I indeed was married for nearly 11 years to a beautiful woman who was and remains HIV negative. I am currently in a relationship of 4 years with an amazing woman who is HIV negative as well.


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 not having protected 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.


Q: What and when was your AIDS diagnosis?

A: My first AIDS diagnosis came in 1985 in the form of esophageal candidiasis. Since then my only other diagnosis' were repeated episodes of the esophageal candidiasis as well as having 106 T4 cells. The CDC defines having under 200 T4 cells as an AIDS diagnosis.


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.' Typically without treatment, one will usually develop AIDS within 10 years of being infected with HIV. Typically death without treatment would be a couple years after the AIDS diagnosis. There are so many variables however such as lifestyle, access to HIV medications etc. that play a huge role in helping to prolong life. I personally have defied the numbers and have many other friends who have been diagnosed with AIDS and are living far beyond the norm. Contrary, I've lost friends to AIDS within a very short time.


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

A: I am currently prescribed 13 different medications and take from 25-30 pills a day. Including weekly injections. That is down from an all time high of 65 pills a day and multiple weekly injections about 4 years ago. The medications do vary from person to person.

Annoy them survive - Lark Lands

 

 I don't believe that HIV is a disease created by ones mind. However, I do feel it  is how I use the power of my mind that determines the ability to heal my physical body and spirit. Fight on!"
~Da Pirate

AIDS activist educator advocate Bob Bowers
 

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One Tough Pirate Da Pirate www.onetoughpirate.com Bob Bowers

 

Da Pirate and "Da Noodles" August, 2006
Neil Willenson a.ka. "Da Noodle" (Founder and CEO) and da whole Noodle Family at Camp Heartland in Malibu, California
A heartfelt thank you to the Willensons!

 

Dear Bob,

Many thanks for your vision, leadership and willingness to speak out. Although you don't wear a lifeguard shirt, you should because you are a lifesaver.

Take Care and Be Strong,
Neil Willenson

 

Please visit their site to learn more about this amazing organization

 www.campheartland.org

Camp Heartland for youth infected or affected by HIV AIDS

 

 
 
 
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.

 

 

 

"Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things."

- Denis Diderot

 
Crawford Texas President Bush White House demonstration

My response to da man...

and da man's..

and once again I say...

 
 
 

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feature length documentary

"The Fire Within"

   
 

 

 

The Fire Within Documentary about HIV/AIDS survivor Bob Bowers - Leanne Whitney-August Moon Entertainment

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"Compassion is our cure." ~Bob Bowers

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