--Ryan White (1971-1990)
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Ryan White (b. 1971), a teenager from Indiana who was expelled from school because he was HIV positive. He died on Palm Sunday, April, 8, 1990.
White, a hemophiliac, became infected with the virus after a blood treatment. He suffered intense humiliation and alienation during the early days of his disease. In 1986, White's mother, Jeanne, told the Associated Press that people on the street would yell, "I know you're queer Ryan." The young teen became the national poster child for HIV/AIDS awareness in the United States.
If Ryan White had lived he would be 38.
Check out HeyRay's recent post, Is Generation X still afraid of AIDS? Be sure to link to the discussion in the comments section.
Pictures of White from Taro Yamaski.
3 comments:
Thank you for the reminder.
To put it in another context: If Ryan White had lived, he'd be old enough that he could be president right now.
We'll never know what we've lost as a world through the loss of all the people that damned disease has stolen from us.
Something I wonder about is whether the tormenters of 20 years have since had a change of heart. Has our collective knowledge of the disease made them realize the error of their actions? Did the ones who shouted those insults to Ryan, or burned down the Ray family's house, had a change of heart?
@JASON R TIPPITT -- Oh, that makes me so sad. Yes, indeed. Old enough to be President. They say Gen X doesn't have any heroes. It seems like Ryan White would be a candidate.
@HEYRAY -- I was thinking the SAME THING. Where are those people now? Tail tucked in shame, I hope.
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