The statement by Ukip's leader Nigel Farage that the majority of people living with HIV in the UK are foreigners, who come here to access free NHS treatment, and who should not be let in, sends shivers down my spine. I was born in Italy, I moved to the UK in the late 80’s and happened to be diagnosed with HIV in 1997.
I am one of those foreigners.
However I didn’t come to London because I had heard of the NHS. At 21 I couldn’t care less, as most young people I never thought my health could fail. I came on a short course to learn English, and immediately fell in love with this city: I fell in love with the mix of people and cultures, with the endless choice of inspiring music and art, with the opportunity to study things that were new, and exciting for me. I went to University in London, at the School of Oriental and African Study, and had the fortune of studying and researching the richness of Yoruba Arts and culture; this would have never been possible in my country.
