On December 17, 1984, I had surgery to remove two inches of my left lung due to pneumonia. After two hours of surgery the doctors told my mother I had AIDS.
I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere.
Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS caused people to panic.
This brought on the news media, TV crews, interviews, and numerous public appearances.
Twice a week I would receive injections or IV's of Factor VIII which clotted the blood and then broke it down.
Given six months to live and being the fighter that I am, I set high goals for myself.
