John, who I met by chance the other night outside Truro Cathedral, is currently the longest surviving HIV sufferer in the UK.
John has survived a brain haemorrhage, being beaten up (on more than one occasion) and suffered abuse wherever he goes, even from within the gay community itself, mainly, it seems, for publicly speaking out about HIV and Aids. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly for Aids charity organisations and spoke out previously on BBC radio about the lack of funding and general ignorance about this disease. This man, whatever his story and whether he is someone likeable or not, all foibles aside, is a survivor of the highest order.
He has inherited a terminal illness and when being informed that he had just 3 years to live, has stubbornly refused to let this take him to an early grave. Although terminally ill, he has remained alive and active on this planet for 30 years whereas many others have given up and conceded to an earlier fate.
He now has painful aids-related cancer in his body but still manages humour and civility. Meeting with him outside the cathedral in Truro on Thursday night, I was touched by this man's courage in the face of death and his attitude towards living life. No matter that it has been tough and at times very painful, he still holds on to what time he has left and makes the best use of it.
