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Max Niggl - Biography

HIV & Hope

My world changed forever when I was diagnosed in 1987. I never thought HIV could happen to me but it did so my first message is it can happen to anyone.

I was given six months to live in 1988 and 21 years later, having survived HIV, AIDS and three bouts of cancer I am here talking to you about HIV and my hope for the future.

Telling my parents, my family and my friends was terrible – they all thought I was dying. However they have been there for me through everything.

Medications have been horrific with terrible side effects but they did keep me alive until new and better treatments arrived. Treatments today are so much better but having to take upwards of 15 pills a day for the rest of my life is no fun.

Being diagnosed with severe depression in 2005 was another incredible challenge – to have been through so much it was like the final insult to my senses and it took more than three years to recover with daily medication and weekly professional support.

I hope that a cure for HIV will be found and that no one else has to go through what I have.
I now know I contracted HIV in 1984 and have lived with HIV for 25 years – nearly half my life. I am incredibly privileged to live in Australia where I have access to the best possible treatment but our next door neighbour PNG is totally different where it can be impossible to see a Doctor let alone access HIV drugs or even an aspirin.

My inspiration to be public about HIV

• HIV ignorance
• My job is constantly inspired by the HIV speakers I work with
• There must be an ongoing community discussion about HIV
• We need to be out there talking about HIV. We need more HIV Positive people who are prepared to be public about their HIV. It means that eventually there will be less HIV mythology, less stigma and less discrimination, more understanding and more knowledge.

My final message and hope

"Carpe diem" – seize the day.

Enjoy life, talk about sex but always make it safer sex.

[ View Max's Video ]