“I used to stereotype people with AIDS and HIV. I thought that people with AIDS were skinny, pale, suicidal and always looking tired. I was wrong.
I met Michael Sausser, a 36-year-old white male who has AIDS. I was very surprised. Michael was the opposite of what I had pictured a person with AIDS to look like. He is tall and looked strong, he shook my hand with strength, and he even looked like a football player.
When Michael’s HIV became AIDS (see the chart below), the doctors did not give him more than three months to live. That was a couple of years ago. We can say he is living by a miracle. Living with AIDS is not simple, especially for Michael. The AIDS virus affected his brain. He can’t read things like the newspaper because he doesn’t remember what he said or read. His memory cannot focus on the activities he’s doing. Because of this, his driver’s license was suspended. Michael used to take around 90 pills a day. He doesn’t take medication now, though. He said that the side effects of the medication are worse than the disease.
Eleven years ago, Michael was still experimenting with his sexuality. “I wanted to know if I was gay or straight,” said Michael. Let’s keep in mind that HIV and AIDS were not well-known in those days. “I had [unprotected] anal sex, and that’s how I got infected with HIV.” Michael doesn’t want anyone to go through what he is going through. That is why he volunteers and spends his time at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA). He visits high schools and public places, tells his story and keeps people up-to-date with new information concerning AIDS.
When he was in school, Michael enjoyed his high school years to the maximum. He attended high school in Michigan where he was a popular guy at school and had a lot of friends. “I was in the school band. I played the violin and French horn,” he said. “I was also part of the football team and ran in the track.” As a child, Michael didn’t have any specific career plans. “I know I love to draw houses and cities,” he said. He now has a masters degree in urban planning.
His parents have been supportive all along
Michael’s parents have always been there for him. He told his parents right away after he was tested: “I got tested and [found out] I was HIV positive, my mother gave me support. After I was diagnosed with AIDS, she helped me, like, in my house and activities I have to do. We really have good communication. I’ve been honest with them.”
Today, a typical day for Michael would be getting up and eating breakfast at a Sunset Blvd. restaurant, working out, going to the doctor (he usually sees three to five different doctors each week), and watching a favorite TV show, “Judge Judy.”
When my editor told me to ask him about his funeral plans, I felt scared. It made me realize that, maybe tomorrow, Michael won’t be living. But then I realized that we’re all going to die—it doesn’t matter if you have AIDS or not—so I felt more comfortable asking him about it. Michael has already planned his funeral: he is taping a video with a message to all his family members and friends. He is not having a religious service because most of his family members are not the same religion and each has their own customs.
I wanted to interview somebody with AIDS to prove to myself and to all of you that are reading this article that a lot of people with AIDS are making a difference in this world. People with AIDS are taking care of themselves and helping the community.
If you need condoms, you can get them free at clinics and in the nurse’s office at school. I can’t believe someone is too lazy or can’t afford condoms. That latex thing can save your life and your loved one too. AIDS is a disease that you can prevent. You don’t have to do anything fancy, we all know how to protect ourselves now. As Michael said: “Arm yourself with all the knowledge.””