Emma Cole 'Positive Voice' HIV+
@emmacolehiv.bsky.social
HIV+ 35 years. 'Positive Voice' talk for schools and businesses; TEDx speaker. ❤️QPR; LAMDA & Springsteen. London Marathon 2017. Loved by and in love with B.
Finished the 2025/26 academic year having delivered 91 Positive Voice #hiv awareness talk to approximately 16,500 pupils and staff at schools across the UK. Every time I get to share my story, I ensure everyone hears the #uequalsu message. Educating one talk at a time. @preventionac.bsky.social
Made it to my 57th birthday today. Diagnosed #hivpositive at the age of 22, told I might live 8-10 years back in 1991, so reaching late 50s was never on my radar. Been out celebrating with B this evening,blessed to have him in my life for over a decade. #hivlongtermsurvivor #birthday
Stressful days as my husband admitted into hospital on Wed with severe internal bleeding, platelets at 25 on arrival in A&E, 16 hours in Resus, theatre and recovery before transfer to Enhanced Care on Acute Assessment Unit. Huge thanks to all NHS staff who are taking care of him at C&W Hospital.
Globally people living with and affected by #HIV still face stigma and discrimination in healthcare centres, workplaces & communities. I have experienced this during my 35 years of living with HIV. This blocks access to HIV services and put lives at risk. Today is #ZeroDiscrimination Day
One year ago today, our civil partnership, first anniversary and 11 years together. A rollercoaster of a year with B getting very sick last summer but we made it through, together, stronger. Thanks to #uequalsu he will never be at risk of contracting HIV from me. So grateful to be undetectable.
Today is my 34th #worldaidsday as an HIV positive woman. Today, I remember and honour all those lives lost to AIDS, including my former partner Ian. I recognise my fellow peers who live openly with #HIV to challenge stigma and breakdown misconceptions and I thank the NHS staff who care for me.
Start of a busy 10 working days, travelling just under 1,000 miles across the UK to deliver 14 Positive Voice #HIV talks in 12 different schools. Estimated 1,800 young people hearing a first hand account from my diagnosis in 1991 to life as a long-term survivor today.
Currently travelling back from Edinburgh in 1st class (thanks to B for upgrade) with @lner.co.uk and just wanted to acknowledge the wonderful service provided by Ksanti on the drinks trolley. What an asset to the company, polite, friendly and fully focused on delivering the best customer service.
Yesterday I returned to speak at Notting Hill and Ealing High School for the 29th year. I first spoke here in 1993, just a couple of years after my #HIV diagnosis. One of the pupils from those early years hearing me speak is now a teacher here and still remembers the impact my talk had.
Forgot to tag @adaywithhiv.bsky.social
Emma Cole 'Positive Voice' HIV+@emmacolehiv.bsky.social · 11mo ago13.32pm, Windsor Great Park #adaywithhiv During my 34 years of living with #HIV, it is taking time out in nature where I have been my happiest. Today's walk with my husband B to photograph fungi in Windsor Great Park. #adaywithhiv #hivpositive #hivlongtermsurvivor
13.32pm, Windsor Great Park #adaywithhiv During my 34 years of living with #HIV, it is taking time out in nature where I have been my happiest. Today's walk with my husband B to photograph fungi in Windsor Great Park. #adaywithhiv #hivpositive #hivlongtermsurvivor
Marking 34 years ago today that I received my #HIVpositive diagnosis by heading off to deliver a Positive Voice talk to pupils in High Wycombe. Eternally grateful to everyone in my life who has contributed to my survival since 1991. #longtermsurvivor #HIV
A week into the new academic year, two school visits to Harrogate and Sedbergh done, and 41 more talks booked in before the end of this year. Love each opportunity I'm given to share my Positive Voice talk to educate a new generation of young people about #HIV.
Day trip to Paris yesterday to see the David Hockney exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton, one of my favourite buildings. A joy to see over 400 pieces of work on display, lots of inspiration for my current creative burst. #davidhockney
With my school talks on summer break I get to fill my days with creative endeavours. Just finished this painting to sell at my friend's open studio later this month. It's mindfulness set loose with paints. Really enjoyed this one, mostly listening to @brucespringsteen.net while I worked.
I cannot speak highly enough of all the wonderful NHS staff at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital who are currently treating B on the AAU. Triaged within 5 minutes of arriving at 4am Thursday, straight through to Resus, emergency endoscopy, CT scan all within 12 hours. Staying in until he's stable.
Took advantage of the Members Early Morning @painshill.bsky.social, arrived just after 8am to enjoy nearly 3 hours of walking through the landscape before the rain. Some much needed time-out from caring for my partner who is in the midst of another mental health crisis. #painshill #natureheals
Today marks #ZeroHIVStigmaDay. I chose to live openly as a woman with #HIV within weeks of my diagnosis in 1991 and have continued to educate about HIV for over 30 years to help tackle stigma, raise awareness and challenge stereotypes. #hivpositive #zerohivstigmaday #hivstigma #tacklinghivstigma
Honoured to have been interviewed for Poz Planet.
Jade Elektra@jadeelektra.bsky.social · last yr.It's July 1st and the new issue of @pozplanetmagazine.bsky.social is here!!! This month we get UP CLOSE & PERSONAL with @emmacolehiv.bsky.social, protests at the AIDS Vigil in Toronto and more. Free download here: mega.nz/file/gnknkBI... Or just browse online here: issuu.com/pozplanetmag...
56th birthday. Never expected to be here when diagnosed #HIVpositive in 1991 aged 22. Originally told 8-10 years to live, so every extra birthday is testament to the amazing NHS care, HIV meds and most importantly the love of my inner circle, including B and my sisters. #birthday #longtermsurvivor
Participated in the priority setting workshop led by @richard-ma.bsky.social yesterday. Looking at research ideas for older people with HIV. Very interesting to see the variety of topics suggested. Grateful that as a long-term survivor I am facing older age, never expected to when diagnosed in 1991.
Very poignant to see the #aidsquiltuk this afternoon at Tate Modern. Seeing names of people I knew from the early years of my diagnosis remembered in their quilts. We must never forget the past and all those people we lost to AIDS.
" Roughly $12 million worth of #HIV-prevention drugs and contraceptives purchased by the U.S. Agency for International Development will likely be destroyed after President Donald Trump dismantled the organization"
Trump team set to destroy $12m worth of HIV drugs and contraceptives bought by USAID
The life-saving drugs and contraceptives have been sitting in warehouses since January
independent.co.uk
Today, June 5th, is HIV Long-term Survivors Awareness Day, largely a US event but I want to acknowledge all of us in the UK who've been living with HIV for decades and live with the battle scars of life before treatment. 34 years since my diagnosis, living a life I never expected to have. #HLTSAD
B and I attended the Governor's Review at the Royal Hospital this morning. Wearing my late father's military medals for the occasion. Wonderful to see the #ChelseaPensioners parade and hear the military band perform.
At Highgate cemetery to visit Ian's grave, 32 years ago today he died from an #AIDS related illness at Patrick House hospice in Hammersmith. Place a yellow rose on his grave so his spirit knows he is still remembered with love. #whatisrememberedlives
A day of self care yesterday as I took a train out to spend the afternoon @rspb.bsky.social Rye Meads before walking back along the canal for a couple of miles to Broxbourne. A day for quiet contemplation in nature, just listening to birdsong for a few hours.
Are you living with #HIV & aged over 50 in the UK or a carer for someone who is? What are your health and care concerns about HIV and ageing? Please help to create a "bank" of research questions to improve the health and care of older adults with HIV app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/socs/have-...
Have your say to improve the care of people aged over 50 living with HIV in the UK
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk
