They are young and they have a life-threatening disease… The year is 1991. Diagnoses of HIV are rising and there is no cure in sight. Coming from all corners of the world, over forty young men and women talk about living with HIV and AIDS. They must cope with the enormous stigma, blame and guilt associated with the disease. And there are challenges in telling their parents and partners, trying to keep healthy and looking for work - all while facing an inevitably shortened future. Yet they remain committed to celebrating the joys of life as much as they can. The book is testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. "This collection of true stories is as powerful as any great classic of fiction. Everyone who reads Wise Before Their Time will come face to face with the greatest challenge of our age." Sir Ian McKellen