Ryan White
Ryan White
Ryan Wayne White was an American teenager from Kokomo, Indiana, who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS in the United States after being expelled from middle school because of his infection. As a hemophiliac, he became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment and, when diagnosed in December 1984, was given six months to live. Doctors said he posed no risk to other students, but AIDS was poorly understood at the time. When White tried to return to...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionActivist
Date of Birth6 December 1971
CityKokomo, IN
CountryUnited States of America
When I came out of surgery, I was on a respirator and had a tube in my left lung. I spent Christmas and the next thirty days in the hospital.
It was my decision to live a normal life, go to school, be with my friends, and enjoying day to day activities. It was not going to be easy.
All in all I led a pretty normal life.
Financial hardships were rough on us, even though Mom had a good job at G.M.
This brought on the news media, TV crews, interviews, and numerous public appearances.
The desire to move into a bigger house, to avoid living AIDS daily, and a dream to be accepted by a community and school, became possible and a reality with a movie about my life, The Ryan White Story.
AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going. Don't give up, be proud of who you are, and never feel sorry for yourself.
Given six months to live and being the fighter that I am, I set high goals for myself.
Twice a week I would receive injections or IV's of Factor VIII which clotted the blood and then broke it down.
My studies are important to me. I made the honor role just recently, with 2 A's and 2 B's.
I'm just one of the kids, and all because the students at Hamilton Heights High School listened to the facts, educated their parents and themselves, and believed in me.
Entertainers, athletes, and stars started giving me support.
Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS caused people to panic.