67 percent of all people living with HIV in Monroe County are survivors over the age of 50
Here is one story: BJ Safari, a long-term survivor
Monroe County, Fla. – June 5 is HIV Long-Term Survivors Day. This day honors HIV long-term survivors and raises awareness of their needs, issues, and journeys. This year the department highlights the life of long-term survivor, Horace “BJ Safari” Billups, 53, a Key West resident of 23 years.
An outspoken entertainer, BJ’s life wasn’t always glitz, glamour, and comedy. Diagnosed November 1987, BJ has lived with HIV for almost 33 years. The following reveals how he describes his life and how he dealt with challenges associated with living with the chronic disease.
“From the beginning when I was told of my diagnosis and finding out I had something that was basically killing people — everyone was dying—my hope in life was low. At that point, I was just existing, not knowing what tomorrow was going to bring. The doctor said I only had four years to live.
I lived every year like I was preparing to die. I would count every November expecting to be gone.
After four years passed and I realized I was still living, I decided to do something for myself. I believed that if I merely thought I was going to die, I was, but I fought through it. I don’t have time to die; I love life. When you’re surrounded by a lot of negative people, it’s impossible to love anybody else, much less yourself. I sat down, read, and learned a lot about the disease itself. It was only when I learned more about the disease that I started caring. I also started to live my life, be myself and love myself, and care for others.
All I needed was that glimpse of hope. I had to make changes, some of them drastic, but it needed to be done. HIV gave me another start in life. I started surrounding myself with positive people, and here in the Keys, my support group was my circle of friends who were all positive. Key West is built on positive people who do what it takes to share the love. I love my doctors, Dr. Covington and Dr.
Whiteside, for being there for me. When I told my family about my diagnosis, the thought of them thinking they would hate me or be disgusted crossed my mind. But, I was wrong. They were all very supportive. I started feeling better and better about myself. My support system is based on people who have helped me in the past. There are days when I get depressed and when that happens, I immediately turn to my support system. I would pick up my phone and call someone. Had it not been for my support system, and their positivity, I would have slipped between the cracks.
These people have motivated me to do good, too. One thing that I know is how strongly I value life — all lives, including my own. This experience has made a better person out of me. I am more direct in looking someone in the face and telling them I love them. I want people to see there is tenderness,
love and affection in this world. I show people how much I love life by treating them nicely. As an entertainer, I sing and make people laugh because laughter is key.
When people see me, I want them to see me as a symbol of hope. Just because someone has the virus, doesn’t mean you will die, must look a certain way, or limit what you do in your life. I am in a beautiful relationship and living a normal life. HIV doesn’t have me, I have it!
If someone were to be diagnosed recently or in the future, my advice to them is that it is not a death sentence anymore. Some life changes need to be done and you must do them. The carefree lifestyle must stop. If you care and love yourself, you will stop. You can live a long, healthy, and productive life. I am an example of that!
If anyone is hesitant to get tested, you must first start with trusting someone. Keep in mind that this is your life. Let your heart lead you. There are many places that you can be tested. Do not wait. The most important thing you cannot lose is your life. This is about making sure you are healthy and can live long if you do have a chronic disease. There is so much out there to keep us living.”
BJ Safari is an HIV Advocate and has been a speaker at countless HIV Awareness events in Monroe County, many of which were led by Peggy Ward-Grant, Early Intervention and Prevention Specialist for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. “A big turning point in the early events of the HIV epidemic was the work being done by the Julius Adams AIDS Task Force. Had it not been for BJ, we would not have reached the number of people we had. I truly respect and love BJ for his volunteerism and advocacy,” Ward-Grant stated. “BJ truly has an amazing life that the rest of us can learn from and be inspired by to live well and long despite the virus.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1.1 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2016, many of whom have been living with it for many years. In 2018, there were 240 persons surviving with HIV/AIDS between the ages of 50 and 59 in Monroe County (FL Charts, June 2018). There were an additional 183 surviving with HIV/AIDS over the age of 60. This represents 67 percent of the total number of people in Monroe living with HIV/AIDS. To learn more visit: aidsinfo.nih.gov or cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.
To get tested at no charge or to get enrolled for medical care and prescriptions, call 305-293-7500.
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