Love, Loss & Life: Real Stories From The AIDS Pandemic
A podcast series from the National HIV Story Trust, the charity telling the story of HIV and AIDS in Britain. Presenting a perspective of the crisis in the 1980s and 1990s through the lives of a diverse set of individuals, this series recognises the true tragedy of HIV and AIDS, and shares tender stories of love, unending compassion, and the unity of a disparate community in the face of a global crisis.
Introduced by Anita Dobson and voiced by actors Christopher Ashman, Elexi Walker, and Kay Eluvian, the series features stories taken from NHST’s first book, a collection of essays, reflections, and testimonies also entitled ‘Love, Loss & Life’ which was published in 2021. The book and podcast series feature in short-form just some of the moving and tragic recollections that the NHST archive of over 100 filmed interviews, currently housed at the London Metropolitan Archive, capture in expansive detail. This extensive archive provides a 360-degree thought-provoking view of the AIDS pandemic in Britain through the real-life experiences of those who were there. Since 2015, over 120 interviews have been filmed with survivors, family members, friends, advocates, and medical professionals candidly remembering their personal experiences. Through archiving these films at the LMA, and sharing the stories collected through education, media, and art projects, NHST’s mission is to preserve the story the HIV and AIDS pandemic for those who know it, and to teach it for the first time to those who do not.
Love, Loss & Life: Real Stories From The AIDS Pandemic
Dr Rupert Whitaker: Real Stories from the AIDS Pandemic
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National HIV Story Trust, Dr Rupert Whitaker
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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Dr. Rupert Whitaker is a remarkable individual who has shown extraordinary resilience as one of the longest survivors of HIV. He has been a strong advocate for people with HIV and other long-term illnesses for over 40 years.
Disability, mental illness, and age-related issues persist for many living with HIV, despite medication advances. Dr. Whitaker believes that the LGBTQ+ community should take action to improve support and healthcare for those in need, emphasising that it should focus on the long-term effects of HIV on mental and physical health, including housing and care for older people.
He helped start the Terrence Higgins Trust to honor his late partner and is now an expert in mental health and public health. In 2021, he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree for his medical work and patient advocacy. In 2022, he was given an OBE for his charity work and public health service.
Disability, mental illness, and age-related issues persist for many living with HIV, despite medication advances. Dr. Whitaker believes that the LGBTQ+ community should take action to improve support and healthcare for those in need, emphasising that it should focus on the long-term effects of HIV on mental and physical health, including housing and care for older people.
He helped start the Terrence Higgins Trust to honor his late partner and is now an expert in mental health and public health. In 2021, he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree for his medical work and patient advocacy. In 2022, he was given an OBE for his charity work and public health service.
This podcast series features stories taken from our first book, a collection of essays, reflections, and testimonies also entitled ‘Love, Loss & Life’ which you can buy here.
An audiobook is also available here.
Visit the National HIV Story Trust website
