Most recently my battle has been against AIDS and the discrimination surrounding it. Ryan White More Quotes by Ryan White More Quotes From Ryan White My name is Ryan White. I am sixteen years old. I have hemophilia, and I have AIDS. Ryan White nameswhiteyears Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me. Ryan White hiveducationlying I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere. Ryan White welcomemommother I came face to face with death at thirteen years old. Ryan White thirteenfacesyears 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. Ryan White dreamschoolmoving The school I was going to said they had no guidelines for a person with AIDS. Ryan White hivaidsschool Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS caused people to panic. Ryan White sweatkissingpeople 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. Ryan White doctorsmothertwo My studies are important to me. I made the honor role just recently, with 2 A's and 2 B's. Ryan White rolesimportanthonor 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. Ryan White parentkidsschool Mayor Koch, of New York, was the first public figure to give me support. Ryan White supportnew-yorkgiving Twice a week I would receive injections or IV's of Factor VIII which clotted the blood and then broke it down. Ryan White brokeweekblood I spent Christmas and the next thirty days in the hospital. Ryan White hospitalsthirtynext I received thousands of letters of support from all around the world, all because I wanted to go to school. Ryan White supportworldschool I believe in myself as I look forward to graduating from Hamilton Heights High School in 1991. Ryan White believelooksschool 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. Ryan White sistermomsorry Entertainers, athletes, and stars started giving me support. Ryan White starsathletegiving Eventually, I won the right to attend school, but the prejudice was still there. Ryan White prejudicestillsschool Given six months to live and being the fighter that I am, I set high goals for myself. Ryan White sixmonthsgoal How could these people in the public eye not be afraid of me, but my whole town was? Ryan White townseyepeople
