Henry Nicols facts for kids

Henry Joseph Nicols (born August 9, 1973 – died May 8, 2000) was an American activist. He is known for being the first student in the U.S. to openly share that he had HIV in March 1991. He wanted to teach people about the illness.

Henry Nicols' Early Life

Henry Nicols was the youngest of three children. When he was 18 months old, doctors found out he had haemophilia. This is a genetic condition where blood does not clot properly. Because of this, Henry needed many blood transfusions.

In 1984, when Henry was eleven, he was diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus can cause AIDS. At that time, HIV/AIDS was new and not well understood. People often treated those with HIV unfairly. Other young people with HIV, like the Ray brothers and Ryan White, faced tough legal fights to stay in school. They were also treated badly by people in their towns.

To avoid these problems, Henry and his family kept his HIV a secret. They did not even tell close friends or family.

Growing Up with a Secret

Henry's parents wanted him to have a normal life. They tried to keep people from judging him because of his illness. He grew up in Cooperstown, New York. He went to high school there. For his HIV treatment, he traveled over 200 miles to New York City. This was because a child with AIDS might get less attention in a big city.

Henry loved camping and hiking. He took karate lessons and was a dedicated Boy Scout. By age seventeen, he was working to become an Eagle Scout. This is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn. It requires earning at least 21 merit badges. Scouts also must complete a project that shows leadership and helps the community.

In 1990, Henry's health worsened. He developed his first serious infection, meaning his HIV had progressed to AIDS. Doctors told his family he likely had about two years left to live.

Henry Nicols' Activism

After learning he had AIDS, Henry decided he could no longer keep his illness a secret. He felt that to be a true leader, especially as he worked toward Eagle Scout, he needed to be open about his experience. He told People magazine, "It was time I got it off my chest and did good with it."

At first, Henry's parents were worried about his plan. They feared how their town would react. They did not want their family to face the same harsh treatment others had. But after talking, they decided to support Henry's choice.

Henry first told his close friends and school officials. His friends were surprised but very supportive. The Cooperstown school board also offered to help Henry share his story with the world. With this support, the Nicols family decided to hold a press conference.

The Press Conference

On March 8, 1991, Henry Nicols made history. He became the first American school student to openly share his AIDS diagnosis. He did this at a press conference with the help of Cooperstown School Superintendent Douglas Bradshaw. Surrounded by other Boy Scouts, Henry spoke about his condition. He announced that he would use his illness as a leadership project to earn his Eagle Scout award.

In a 1996 interview with POZ magazine, Henry said, "Most of the courage came from anger, because I was so tired of having to keep this secret." He and his family thought people would quickly lose interest in his story. But they were surprised by the immediate support. After Henry went public, his family received many messages, most of them offering encouragement.

Speaking Out and Educating Others

Unlike others before him, Henry was welcomed and protected by his community in Cooperstown. This allowed him to complete his Eagle Scout project. He traveled to colleges and high schools across New York State. He taught people about his experiences living with AIDS.

By 1995, Henry started the Henry Nicols Foundation. This was a non-profit group that continued to educate people about AIDS. It also supported others living with the illness. Henry kept traveling around the country, giving talks.

Henry went from being a secret AIDS patient to a local hero and a global advocate. He was featured on the cover of Parade Magazine. Stories about him appeared in People Magazine and many other news publications. He was a guest on Good Morning America and other national news shows. He was even interviewed by CBS news anchor Peter Jennings for a TV special on AIDS.

Henry used his new fame to ask for kindness and understanding for everyone affected by AIDS. He completed his Eagle Scout requirements and received the award in July 1991. He was given the first ever Ryan White Award by the National Hemophilia Association. He also spoke before Congress. Henry met with New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also met with Presidents George H. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton to discuss AIDS.

In 1992, Henry received an honorary bachelor's degree from The University of Scranton. He also received the Caring award from the Heart of America Foundation. Henry, his sisters Jennifer and Diana, and his parents traveled across the U.S. and the world. They helped set up AIDS support groups in Ireland, Canada, and Japan. They also met with university students in 42 states to educate and support those with AIDS.

Henry Nicols' Eagle Scout Documentary

After Henry publicly shared his story, writer Michael Ryan decided to make a documentary about his life. POZ Magazine quoted Ryan saying, "I had done magazine articles on AIDS and had friends who had died. Part of me looked at Henry and said this is propaganda, a way to tell middle America about AIDS." Ryan spent almost three years with the Nicols family. He recorded their daily lives. This project became the 1993 HBO documentary Eagle Scout: The Story of Henry Nicols.

Henry Nicols' Passing

As Henry's illness progressed, his health began to decline. He traveled less and less. He also started to experience memory and thinking challenges related to his illness. In April 2000, on his way to a Boy Scout weekend, Henry had a car accident. He hit a telephone pole. He passed away eleven days later at the age of 26. There are several memorials to Henry in Cooperstown, New York, where his family still lives.

Henry's father wrote a book about him called Henry for President. It was published in 2008.