A St. Charles baby injected with HIV by his father nearly two decades ago. At times during his childhood, he wasn't expected to live. But today Brryan Jackson is a college freshman and an outspoken advocate for those living with aids. It was a story that shocked the nation.

In 1992 , when Brryan Jackson was just 11 months old, his lab technician father injected him with a HIV-tainted blood. He did it to avoid paying child support. His father was sentenced to life in prison and Brryan was left to fight a disease, that at the time, was considered fatal.

As a child Brryan's daily routine routine involved 22 oral medications and two injections. One of those medications affected his hearing and his speech.

Time and time again, Brryan defied the odds and today is a college freshman. He has a girlfriend and a loving family has gone from AIDS victim to activist.

In 2009 he reclaimed the acronym HIV for his own non profit organization, "Hope Is Vital". The organization spreads awareness and education about HIV and AIDS. He speaks at schools and other public events

Since Brryan was a teenager he has lobbied on capitol hill for AIDS funding and has received numerous awards for his activism, including Nickelodeon's Halo award presented last December by entertainer Nick Cannon.

Brryan says right after he decided to forgive his father his health began improving. His AIDS virus is now undetectable in his blood. He's gone from dozens of pills a day to just 4.

Brryan has never heard from his father and is considering writing him a letter. In college he's majoring in business with a minor in political science. He is considering law school and a future in politics.

Source: KPLR11/fox2now