A young Navy sailor comes to terms with an HIV diagnosis in the days before "don't ask, don't tell," an early retirement from the Navy and adjusting to civilian life finding love from an unusual place...his pet cockatoo Fred.

SYNOPSIS:

In 1994, I was retired from the US Navy with an HIV diagnosis and not really prepared for civilian life, let alone dealing with an AIDS diagnosis (I had 6 t-cells). In addition to the newer drugs, I made some life style changes as well as buying a $3000 cockatoo which was sure to outlive me. But I credit the love of my companion bird with saving my life. We did everything together from every day grocery shopping, to walking in a San Diego AIDS Walk and attending San Diego Gay Pride festivals. Our adventures are chronicled in the screenplay. My health vastly improved as a result.