The SHARP Foundation

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  • HOME
  • About Us
    • About SHARP
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our People
    • Volunteer Now >
      • Tim's Volunteer Story
      • William Watson Lodge Trip
      • Ashley's Volunteer Story
    • Careers
    • How To Become a Sponsor
  • Our Work
    • Referrals
    • Aging In the LGBTQ2S+ Community
    • United Way Days of Caring
    • Our Model of Work
    • Our Stories >
      • Gerry's Story
      • Robert's Story
      • Fiona's Story
      • A Sister's Story
      • A Mother's Story
    • Partners and Sponsors
    • Resources
  • EDUCATION
    • E-Learning
    • SHARPIE Doodles
    • COVID-19 Information
  • News/Events
    • SHARP in the NEWS
    • Annual Reports
    • Events >
      • Scotiabank Charity Challenge
      • Community Volunteer Tax Clinic Program
  • Contact
  • Donate Now
  • Handmade With Love Bracelets
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Small
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Medium
    • Handmade With Love Bracelets - Large

Gerry's Story

'I didn't think I'd be around': Long-term survivors share stories of aging with HIV'

Gerry McConnery, 65, didn't expect to be retired and worried about outliving his financial savings because he never thought he'd live this long.

When McConnery was diagnosed with HIV at age 39 in 1993 doctors told him he had three to five years to live.
"It was very depressing, it was a very scary time," said McConnery, sitting on his couch in a basement suite in his daughter's bungalow in southwest Calgary.

McConnery said he watched as friends slowly wasted away in hospital rooms and attended up to eight funerals a month. He said he drank to excess to cope with fears he'd be next.
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But he survived with the help of friends, family and Alcoholics Anonymous — and the right balance of medications to keep his immune system strong.
​In the spirit of respect and reconciliation, The SHARP Foundation acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and  all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
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