Jimmy
Jimmy grew up in Dublin and at the age of 13 he began to work in the Phoenix Park as a male prostitute to feed his addictions.
Eventually, Jimmy's unhealthy lifestyle as a sex-worker took its toll and he contracted HIV.
In his mid-thirties, weighing just 5.5 stone, Jimmy was admitted to hospital and told by doctors that his addictions were killing him, and that he was in danger of dying. This lead to his decision to give up drugs, alcohol and prostitution.
He became interested in spirituality, philosophy and yoga. Now in his forties, Jimmy has been clean and sober for over a decade and currently works on a voluntary basis for Dublin AIDS Alliance and Open Heart House on their outreach programmes.
In 2009 Jimmy brought an unprecedented equality case before the High Court against a medical practitioner who refused to treat him due to his HIV status. He is currently awaiting the outcome, which could go some way to ensuring equality for those who suffer from HIV and AIDS.
Eventually, Jimmy's unhealthy lifestyle as a sex-worker took its toll and he contracted HIV.
In his mid-thirties, weighing just 5.5 stone, Jimmy was admitted to hospital and told by doctors that his addictions were killing him, and that he was in danger of dying. This lead to his decision to give up drugs, alcohol and prostitution.
He became interested in spirituality, philosophy and yoga. Now in his forties, Jimmy has been clean and sober for over a decade and currently works on a voluntary basis for Dublin AIDS Alliance and Open Heart House on their outreach programmes.
In 2009 Jimmy brought an unprecedented equality case before the High Court against a medical practitioner who refused to treat him due to his HIV status. He is currently awaiting the outcome, which could go some way to ensuring equality for those who suffer from HIV and AIDS.