On the eve of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, Olympian star Greg Louganis penned his personal experience of aging with HIV. Louganis was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, just six months before his second triumphant appearance at the Olympic Games.
Louganis celebrates his unexpected longevity to both medical advancements and a positive attitude. However, he is also very open about challenges that come with aging with HIV, especially his financial struggles.
“I find this is a struggle with many older people living with HIV/AIDS. We worry about housing and living expenses, insurance, and medical maintenance. This is not unlike the worries of the majority of older Americans. The difference is they were expecting to live to a ripe old age,” he said.
At age 54, Louganis is one of many older Americans living with HIV. By 2015, half of the U.S. HIV population will be age 50 and older.
“We are honored that Mr. Louganis would share his intimate thoughts, circumstances and challenges with us,” said Jonathan Appelbaum, MD, AAHIVS, member of the HIV-Age.org editorial board and director of Internal Medical Education at Florida State University College of Medicine. “Despite his historic success and notoriety, he is experiencing many of the same personal struggles that many older HIV patients face.”
To view the entire interview with Greg Louganis, log onto www.HIV-Age.org.
