A Madison man who has managed to live with HIV for more than two decades credits the test that confirmed it for his life today. Tuesday was National HIV Testing Day, designed to remind people how important testing for the disease is.

AIDS organizations in Madison say teens and young adults don't view the disease as urgent anymore. One man is making it his mission to change that.

Bob Bowers has had to explain his battle with HIV for almost 23 years.
And at the age of 43, it's not getting any easier.

"I still will not forget just the utter shock and the denial in the beginning," says Bowers.

Over the years, Bowers has seen many friends pass away from HIV and AIDS. Only recently has he found the right combination of treatments to somewhat manage it.

"If you would've interviewed me three or four years ago, I was in a wheelchair," says Bowers. "I had cardiomyopathy because of the medications and long-term HIV infection."

Bowers now credits his current quality of life to the test he took 23-years-ago, a test that changed his life and his lifestyle.

"It allowed me to stop using crystal meth, change my ways, get back to the gym, take care of myself," says Bowers. "It allowed me to access the services I needed."

Madison's AIDS Network has been providing services for people like Bowers for 21 years. Executive Director Bob Power says the Network helps thousands every year, but may be missing an important new generation.

"Our last eight positive tests were all young men who have sex with other men," says Power. "When I mean young, I mean all under the age of 25."

Power says it is an age group that may be apathetic about a deadly disease they are too young to remember.

"Even though you may not have known anyone with HIV or AIDS and you may have grown up already now with the next generation of people, it's still an issue and you can still become affected."

Power and Bowers say many are still too scared to seek out testing.

"It still seems to be a disease filled with a lot of moral judgments and attitudes about an individual, when in reality it's a medical issue that faces people," says Power.

Testing for Bowers however, was worth facing as an investment in his future.

"The Aids Network here in Madison were able to meet my every need and if they weren't able to meet needs, just the hugs and the warmth and support went far more than any medication's ever done for me," says Bowers.

Bob Bowers speaks to schools across the country, urging anyone that may be at-risk to get tested. Bowers also has a website with important information on it: target="_blank">http://www.hivictorious.org/links2.htm/.

The AIDS Network provides free and confidential testing, with counselors on-hand. You can call 252-6540 or stop in anytime on weekdays.