| The
eight people profiled in this series are fighting for their
lives.
They value
every fragile minute, hour and day. Despite the constant physical
and emotional challenges of AIDS, there is room for grace,
joy and even a miracle or two.
Their
stories are full of inspiration but brim with warnings. Each
has struggled to accept themselves and their disease. All
of them have a pet that gives them unconditional love and
inspires them to keep going.
These
eight know everything about living with AIDS. They are survivors
with the same message: protect yourself from HIV and AIDS
at all costs.
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Tim
Urban Two decades ago Tim Urban screamed
at God at the top of his lungs. "I’m listening," God
said.
"What do you want?" |
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Mary
Hinds In 1990 Mary Hinds’ husband divorced
her, her mother died and she learned she had AIDS. Hinds
spent the next 10 years trying to kill herself. |
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Harvey
Richey-Gray "I always felt I would wind
up with AIDS because of my lifestyle," said Harvey Richey-Gray.
"Just once with the wrong person. That’s all it takes." |
 |
Evelyn
Hernandez Valentino Most people see a man
when they see a face of someone living with AIDS," said
Evelyn Hernandez Valentino. But Valentino is trying
fiercely to change that perception. |
 |
Roger
Ludwig Bird feeders, wind chimes, swinging
trolls and silver spinning objects hang all over the
branches of a small oak tree in Roger Ludwig’s backyard.
It’s a singing tree. |
 |
Michael
Tapia When Michael Tapia lost his eyesight
in an AIDS-related virus in
1995 he felt like he was falling into
pitch blackness. |
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Darlene
McBrayer Darlene McBrayer has some advice
for seniors. "No matter how safe they think they are,
use condoms," she said emphatically as she slapped the
arm of her overstuffed chair. |
 |
Andrew
Chaudoin Andrew Chaudoin wants to make
an AIDS quilt panel for himself and his brother. It
would read:
Tom 1949-1984 Andy 1958-? |
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