Winnipeg man reflects on life with HIV on World AIDS Day

Monday is World AIDS Day, and a Winnipeg man with HIV is reflecting on the last few decades he's spent with the virus.

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The term "death sentence" was often associated with a positive HIV diagnosis, something Winnipegger Chris Lucas recalls vividly.

Lucas was diagnosed with HIV in 1986 — one of the first Winnipeggers to test positive.

Because of his diagnosis, he experienced prejudice, which influenced his decision to move north for a few years. 

“I can't touch that glass because you have touched it. It was really scary, because their parents would say, I can't go to school because his parents have AIDS. It was really that scary," said Lucas.

Life was improving for Lucas, but then, seven years ago, he suffered a brain injury brought on by his damaged immune system. 

"It’s been a long struggle. The brain injury almost put me in the grave, they gave me four months to live," said Lucas, who will celebrate his 50th birthday in January.

Lucas now volunteers at Nine Circles, a community health centre that specializes in HIV treatment and support.

“I’d basically say, don't give up, keep moving forward and don't accept the negativity that's going to come back at you,” he said.

12K Manitobans living with HIV

Mike Payne, executive director at Nine Circles, said there are 12,000 people living with HIV in Manitoba. 

“This is an illness that is impacting all walks of life in Manitoba, so we need to educate ourselves about that, and accept that, and think, ‘what are the things I am doing that could be putting me at risk,’" said Payne.

While the disease is now seen as preventable and manageable with treatment, that perception comes with a downside. Payne said less than five per cent of Manitobans were tested in 2013 because they don’t think they are at risk.

"It's a very complacent attitude out there," said Lucas. 

"I look at my family and my nieces and nephews are at that age that they are out practising unsafe sex, and I don't understand why. If I am not a reason why they should play safe, I don't know."

With early detection and treatment, people with HIV are able to live for a long time. Several clinics in Manitoba, including Nine Circles, provide walk-in testing for HIV.