Having grown up in the 1980s Emma Cole’s first introduction to AIDS was the icebergs and tombstone adverts put out in the UK but as she did not consider herself as one of the ‘risk’ groups being targeted it was not something she ever expected to encounter. Then on September 11th 1991 shortly after graduating from university Emma was diagnosed HIV positive – that was the day the she realised HIV did not discriminate. Emma has chosen to speak publicly about living with HIV for over 25 years and launched her 'Positive Voice' HIV talks to schools in 2002 after surviving her original prognosis of 8-10 years to live . She now speaks annually at over 100 schools across the UK and Europe.
Huge advances have been made with respect to HIV and yet people who are HIV positive still face stigma and discrimination. To address the lack of tolerance around HIV Emma chose to be visible and challenge the misperceptions that many people have about HIV; she made that decision as a newly diagnosed woman in 1991 and continues that today as a long term survivor.
For more information find Emma on Twitter @emmacolehiv or [ Ссылка ] Emma was diagnosed HIV positive in 1991 and has chosen to speak publicly about living with HIV for over 25 years. She launched her 'Positive Voice' HIV talks to schools in 2002 after surviving her original prognosis of 8-10 years to live and now speaks annually at over 100 schools across the UK and Europe. Emma was one of three women featured in the critically acclaimed 2001 BBC documentary ‘Positive Women’.
Emma made a decision after her diagnosis to speak out publicly as an HIV positive woman in an attempt to breakdown the misconceptions that many had, and still have about HIV. In delivering her Positive Voice talks she continues that commitment but also now brings the perspective of a long-term survivor. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at [ Ссылка ]
