Anthony Bird's HIV journey began dramatically in 1995 when he went from seroconversion to hospitalisation with PCP in just 4-5 months, an unusually rapid progression that fascinated medical consultants.

Working as a graphic designer in London and deeply embedded in the vibrant gay club scene centred around Brixton's legendary Fridge nightclub, Tony's diagnosis came at 28 during the height of the pre-combination therapy era.

His story captures the terror of thinking he wouldn't live to see 30, watching 30,000 balloons released at Pride representing AIDS deaths whilst believing one would represent him the following year. Yet Tony's experience stands apart from many others in its lack of shame or secrecy - his hospitalisation made his status obvious to friends, and he found himself surrounded by HIV-positive activists who provided community rather than isolation.

From near-death to the miraculous transformation brought by combination therapy, Tony's journey continues to the present day where he's found unexpected joy in ballroom dancing, describing himself as happier than at any point in his life whilst living with HIV as mere background noise.

03:11 - Rapid onset: "I had what was a pretty classic seroconversion... two weeks off work because what felt like a really bad flu."

04:34 - Unable to work: "My last day at work... I didn't have the strength to put my boots on and walk downstairs."

05:17 - Dramatic weight loss: "By the time I was admitted to hospital, I'd gone down to seven and a half stone."

06:29 - Hospital relief: "I think I was just mainly feeling relief that finally someone was taking this seriously."

06:48 - Understanding the implications: "We think you've got PCP. Are you aware of the implications of that?... I knew exactly what the implications were."

09:37 - No confidence in treatment: "I had no confidence in the medication that was available... you develop resistance pretty quickly."

09:37 - Age and mortality: "I can remember... I said, I'm not going to live until I'm 30."

11:24 - The Fridge club scene: "I was absolutely obsessed with going to the Fridge listening to house music until six in the morning."

13:27 - Public diagnosis: "Because of the nature of my diagnosis... All my friends knew I was HIV positive."

14:47 - Family shame: "That was the sense of shame I felt... I'd let my parents down."

18:18 - Extreme blood results: "My viral load was way up in the 2 million, 3 million mark, my CD4 count was less than ten."

19:28 - Pride balloon release: "Each balloon represented someone who died of AIDS... I can remember thinking, next year one of those balloons is going to be me."

21:08 - Lasting damage: "I got shingles twice... the damage it did to my left eye means that I'm still blind in my left eye."

22:40 - Hearing about combination therapy: "People were just astounded by just how successful the trial had been."

24:08 - Medical breakthrough: "My consultant literally skipping down the corridor with the results. She was so pleased."

26:06 - Ongoing side effects: "Those early HIV drugs... some of the side effects are still pretty grim sometimes."

28:50 - Dating and disclosure: "I could put my HIV status up on my profile... other HIV positive men would see that and contact me."

36:35 - Ballroom dancing discovery: "If there is one regret I have, it's that I didn't go to a dance class when I was in my 20s."

38:22 - Finding community: "It's the most home I felt in a community in my life."

39:09 - Current...