I was born in Brooklyn in 1955 from Puerto Rican parents and was raised in the Bronx. I found out I was HIV Positive in 1987, when my daughter was born. Neither my wife nor daughter are HIV positive.
I lived a life of "destruction" and I changed it to one of "construction". Depression overtook my life because I could no longer do the things I used to. On July 15th, 2004 I started playing one of the congas I had at home. The congas gave me a sense of relief from the negative thoughts that filled my mind. I noticed that playing the congas made me feel better so I continued to play them and began incorporate the message of HIV prevention, education and hope in my music.
Together with my wife Rosalia of 8 years, the group "LOS DOCTORES" was born. Since this day, we have participated in numerous HIV prevention and education activities, support groups and senior centers. We participated in the Campaign To End AIDS rally in Washington, DC, we have worked closely with the Broward County Department of Health and we participated in the educational video Positivo Soy.
There are two important people that made "LOS DOCTORES" possible: Maria Moreno from Hispanic Unity Of Florida, Inc. and Manuel Rodriguez from the Broward County Department of Health. They are our friends and advisors.
Music is now part of my "therapy”. Music fulfills my quest for a life of quality and purpose. That purpose is to spread the message of prevention through music.
|
