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Charlie Sheen is opening up about his HIV diagnosis for only the second time, revealing new details about his everyday battle against the disease and his plans for the future.
As Gossip Cop reported, Sheen announced on the “Today” show on November 17 that he found out he was HIV-positive in 2011. He said he decided to go public with his illness in an effort to stop alleged extortion attempts. But in a new interview with RadarOnline, the actor reveals another motivation: helping people.
“If anybody can fight this thing and discover a cure, it’s me. I will exhaust every resource available to me. I will sit with every expert. I will move forward until something’s revealed,” vows Sheen. The star explains that he plans to “surround myself with bigger brains than mine” and “continue to shine a light on this disease while brilliant scientists continue to search for a cure.”
He acknowledges, “I am in a rare position to turn my diagnosis into a positive, and that began with telling my truth to Matt Lauer.” Sheen goes on, “It makes me take pause and ponder the concept that perhaps everything that led up to this was to gain the spotlight of popularity to finally deliver a message that truly matters. I’m grateful for everything I’ve been able to do in life. I’ve made a lot of people laugh and see the world differently through me. Now, maybe it’s time to change the world.”
Sheen reveals he takes three pills each day at a cost of $4,000 per month. “I know that’s prohibitive to a lot of people’s economic scenarios. Perhaps in my research, and in my journey, we can help develop ways that make it affordable for all,” he says.
Reflecting on when he first learned he had the disease, the former “Two and a Half Men” star admits to being “angry” as well as “in denial and in shock.” While he initially hoped it was a “bad dream” from which he would awake, Sheen recalls, “It was shortly afterwards — I think it was the second day — I said to my mom, ‘This disease picked the wrong guy.’”
Asked if he ever considered killing himself, the sitcom star candidly answers, “I didn’t, no, and I never considered it before the diagnosis. I’ve never been that guy. I’ve always said if somebody’s gonna kill themselves, they should jump off a building. It’s pretty sure-fire! Slashed wrists are usually just a cry for help.”
But he did keep the news a secret from his famous dad, Martin Sheen, at first. “I told my father about a month later and he was shocked at first and sad,” he shares, “but ultimately, everyone’s come to a place of love and support and helping me stay and get healthier.”
Indeed, Sheen says he’s now “really clear, really good, positively focused,” and further describes himself as “sober, focused, hopeful, [and] vigilant.” He adds, “It was such a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders when I made the announcement. I realized afterwards, I wish I had possibly done it sooner.” Tell us what you think in the comments below.
