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About Bob Bowers aka One Tough Pirate
A Pirate's Life...
Bob Bowers, also known as “Da Pirate,” or “One Tough Pirate,” is a 40-year thriving survivor of HIV/AIDS living in Houston, Texas.
To broaden his message of survival, youth prevention through education, hope and compassion, he founded HIVictorious, Inc. ® in 2005.
As an HIV positive speaker, Bob knows first-hand the importance of putting a face to the disease in hopes of reducing AIDS stigma. He is far from the ‘stereotypical’ image of a person with AIDS, thus having a profound and lasting impact on his audiences.
He is generously outspoken about his life struggles and personal choices prior to the time of his infection. Through his public speaking, he shares how HIV disease has helped him to make better choices and to appreciate the very simple beauty of day-to-day life. “For everything negative I can say about HIV, I can also find something positive to say. It’s all about choices and playing the hand you are dealt.”
Contracting HIV nearly four decades ago, before HIV testing was available, and shortly after receiving his ‘official’ diagnosis before anti-viral medications were available, Bob’s hope for survival turned immediately inward to mind, body and spirit. He continues to fight the daily battles of adverse drug reactions through his intense desire to live. His tough muscular and tattooed appearance is softened by his inner sincerity and compassion while sharing his 38-year experience with this devastating disease.
Mr. Bowers is truly dedicated to making a lasting difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as other social issues. He is a powerful and motivating public speaker that reaches out to a large array of diverse audiences. He is a tireless and passionate advocate helping to shape HIV/AIDS policy. He is also active in fund-raising events, camps for youth affected or infected by HIV, guest-speaking engagements, and youth prevention education in schools, colleges, jails and community organizations. He has been interviewed and featured through Film, Television, Radio, Magazine and Newspapers, and has written articles featured in Web-MD, The Body, and AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Positive Living. The feature length AIDS documentary, “The Fire Within”, follows his life with Shawn Bowers during 1999 and is a moving story of courage, passion for life and the healing use of choice.
Some of Bob’s awards are: FWA Winner of Best Speaking Panel-Human Sexuality, San Diego State University; AIDS Network Client Services Volunteer Award and AIDS Network Executive Director’s Award for Outstanding Community HIV/AIDS Service, Madison, Wisconsin. Bob had the honor of being a General with POZ Army in the fight to cure HIV.
His voice, passion, and commitment continues through OTP Productions, Inc.! You can view One Tough Pirate on the cover of POZ Magazine He was also featured on the cover of Positively Aware. You can view more of his story and outreach by searching “Bob Bowers HIV AIDS” using Google’s search.
Bob is living proof that there is nothing impossible in this world if you apply yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally. He is a champion for hope and survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life. Mr. Bowers states, “Compassion is our cure ®.”
“Blessings”
“Bob Bowers is a passionate activist and educator. As someone who has lived with AIDS for over 30 years, Bob is not just a survivor. He works passionately to fight complacency and improve the lives of those around him. His commitment to teaching young people about the importance of healthy choices in their lives, and his advocacy of quality health-care for those living with AIDS, are just two examples of his numerous good works.”
United States Senator Tammy Baldwin
“If there was such a thing as a force of destiny in our lives, I would say that Bob Bowers was born for this role; no one has carried this difficult mantle with more dignity, conviction, purpose, and compassion.”
Madeleine Schwab – Crossroads High School – Santa Monica, California
If you’d like to contact Bob, aka One Tough Pirate, you can use the below links to social networks.
HIV/AIDS Documentary, “The Fire Within”
“Some legal jargon'”
HIVictorious® and compassion is our cure® were registered trademarks of HIVictorious, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization
God is good!
Bob's Service Dog - Sir Duke Bowers CGC
“Annoy them… Survive.” ~ Lark Lands
Long-term survivorship
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 50% of people with HIV are older than 50 years and account for 70% of total deaths among people with HIV.”
—The Lancet HIV in a series on Ageing with HIV on February 2
Learn More
"When I was diagnosed, we didn't even have AZT. With the miracles I've witnessed after two decades of survival, nothing is impossible. I'm turning 43 in May, and it's surreal to be able to say, I'm still here."
~ Bob Bowers long-term survivor diagnosed 1984
No shame! No surrender!
News About Bob
Photos of Bob Bowers
Photos of Bob Bowers
"Bob Bowers talks about HIV prevention and education the way that most people talk about their family or their pets, or even their favorite hobby—with a great deal of passion, mixed with just the right amount of sentiment."
~ Jeff Berry Positively Aware Magazine
Photos of Bob Bowers
Photos of Bob Bowers
Photos of Bob Bowers
Dear Bob Bowers,
Thank you for coming to my school. I thought that you were an excellent speaker with a lot to say. Something that surprised me about you was your carefree attitude about life and your philosophy about living life to its fullest! I thought it was great and would appreciate it if you would come back to speak with us.
~ Chris W.
Bob Bowers' Tattoos
Photos of Bob Bowers
Bob Bowers' Tattoos
I just want to let you know i think what you're doing is amazing. My father has HIV from the mid 80's but my Uncle (his brother) died in '90. Unfortunately they shared a needle. And my aunt, my uncles wife, is surviving it too. I think you have an amazing attitude and that helps a lot.
..::*~Jess~*::..
Some helpful HIV/AIDS resources
