Evel Dick Donato Has HIV
For weeks reality show “Couples Therapy” has hinted that Evel Dick Donato was going to make an announcement that will shock everyone. The announcement: He’s been living with HIV since 2011.
Here at All About the Tea, we knew this announcement had something to do with his sudden departure from Season 13 of Big Brother, but we never dreamed or wished this on him. Though his platform has always been the villain, reasons for his sudden departure surrounded a ploy for his daughter to win, a friend in need, or possible legal troubles.
According to the article in People Magazine, Dick Donato was told by the producers of “Big Brother” that there was a problem with his blood tests. He said, “They had done two different blood tests. One came back positive and one came back negative.” More testing was done and two hours later Dick knew his fate.
The good news is, his girlfriend Stephanie Fischer, also staring in Couples Therapy, was not only supportive to Dick, but tested negative for the disease. This was an “incredible relief” to Dick. He’s not sure where he contracted the disease, but says, “I’m not gay and I’ve never stuck a needle in my arm, but at this point it doesn’t matter.”
Instead Dick Donato has chosen to use this platform to help others and shake the stigma that often accompanies being HIV positive. “…I decided that it was time to just publicly say what I’m dealing with. On one hand, I’m doing this for myself: I don’t want to hide anymore. On the other hand, I hope it will remind viewers to get tested, practice safe sex, all those things we know in the back of our minds but maybe don’t do. After I told everyone on “Couples Therapy,” I had two production people pull me aside and say that they had gotten tested. I feel like I can do some good.”
His prognosis is good and includes one pill a day. He’s living a normal life and looking forward to helping others.
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I am so lucky to combine blogging with my guilty pleasure of watching reality TV. I read all the comments and respond to most. Feel free to reach out to me. If you like fiction, I have two published novels: Three Days in Purgatory and A Reason to Run.