Pulitzer-Prize nominated journalist to speak on 20 years with AIDS
Ed Hicks has one message for the world. He ain’t dead yet.
Hicks, diagnosed with AIDS 20 years ago, speaks about his life Friday, Oct. 5, in Eaton Humanities room 125 at 7:30 p.m. His presentation, “I Ain’t Dead Yet,” is an attempt to bring awareness to CU students about HIV and AIDS.
“This event is important because many people have never known anybody with AIDS and haven’t actually seen anybody with AIDS,” Hicks said.
Hicks’ story as a man living with AIDS is not a sad one. He prefers to call his experience with AIDS a timeline of personal growth.
“AIDS has taken me in a spiritual, physical, emotional and mental journey,” Hicks said.
Hicks is also a journalist nominated for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize. Hicks said he is not just a man with AIDS, but a man with AIDS who is fit, healthy and successful.
“I’m not just successful, I’m thriving,” Hicks said.
His journey living with AIDS began when he and his partner were tested for HIV in 1987. Four years later, Hicks’ partner passed away because of the disease.
Hicks said he lost his partner because his partner carried a powerless and doomed attitude. An attitude Hicks chose to not mimic.
“I was not going to be powerless too,” Hicks said.
Hicks dealt with the disease by writing about it, talking about it and educating others about AIDS. Twenty years after the fact, he is still going strong.
“I’m 53,” Hicks said. “I never thought I’d live that long.”
Hicks said he wants others infected with HIV and AIDS to see the disease does not have to control their lives.
“You choose to take over your life. You choose to live,” Hicks said.
Hicks said he wants to be an example of someone who survived and was not been hindered by AIDS. Even with AIDS, he still led a normal life and fell in love again. Hicks and his current partner have been together for more than 11 years. While Hicks is HIV positive, his partner is not.
“You can still have a full sex life,” Hicks said.
Sophomore ecology and evolutionary biology major Amber Banducci, said having AIDS does not mean you have to stop living.
“It seems like (people with AIDS) are able to lead normal lives,” Banducci said.
Hicks said he wants his presentations at CU on Friday and Saturday night to be an inspiration for people with AIDS to thrive in life.
“Look at me, hear me, touch me. I’m alive 20 years after I was told I could kiss my ass goodbye,” Hicks said. “You can beat it. I did.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Sara Fossum at sara.fossum@colorado.edu
