A lover of dogs and red wine, Addie is also a lawyer and advocate for people living with HIV. She has been living with HIV since 2012, and in the years since her diagnosis, Addie has worked to educate people about HIV and to tackle the stigma that is associated with the virus. Addie has spoken widely of her experience of being diagnosed and living with HIV and has been featured in numerous publications, television programs and on radio.

She has also been involved in educating medical professionals about HIV, presented at conferences focussed on HIV treatment, and participated in training programs for general practitioners to educate them about HIV testing, and to assist them in their interactions with their patients. Addie has also served as a director of one of Australia’s longest running HIV charities. 

Now, Addie lives in Sydney with her partner, Michael, and their scruffy little Jack Russell, Floop.

Addie on More Than This…

“More Than This is simply my story in my words. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2012 – this rocked me to my core. In More Than This I revisit this traumatic time in my life and look back on the journey I have been on over the decade since. More Than This is a story about how I got from HIV being the biggest part of me, a terrible and all-consuming nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from, to where I am now - living well with HIV.”

  • “I can’t live with this. If this doesn’t kill me, I sure as hell will.” - Addie Lane

  • “My initial reaction to my diagnosis was a result of a lack of understanding or appreciation for what living with HIV would actually mean. It took me so long to learn that it was okay, and I was going to be okay.” - Addie Lane

  • “HIV is a medical condition, a virus, and one that can be treated. It is not a moral failing. It is a virus that can affect any human, and yet it is still feared and stigmatised like no other condition. This is a big part of why I eventually decided to share my story more publicly.” - Addie Lane

  • “It has blown my mind to learn from other women that what they had understood to be a full sexual health check-up did not include a test for HIV, when those same women just assumed they had been checked for ‘everything’. I’ve also since learned that this has long been a problem in the Australian healthcare setting. There seems to be an underlying and pervasive belief that women are not at risk of HIV, or are at such a low risk that doctors just don’t even think about testing them.” - Addie Lane

  • “Despite the very low lows that came with sharing my story publicly, there were also amazing positives to come from it and on the balance, I think I did more good than harm. So many people have reached out and thanked me over the years after hearing my story, saying it’s helped them feel empowered, less alone. That is really all I ever wanted to do.” - Addie Lane

Publicity

  • ISBN: 9780645149203 (Paperback)

    ISBN: 9780645149210 (eBook)

    Title: More Than This

    Pub Date: 1 December 2021

    RRP: $9.99

    Subject: HIV

    Extent: 144

    Dimensions: 160 x 110mm

  • Katherine Larsen

    Email: publicity@debutbooks.com.au

    Mobile: +61 482 476 610

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