Quotes from Ryan White

Listening to medical facts was not enough. People wanted one hundred percent guarantees.

Even at church, people would not shake my hand.

Financial hardships were rough on us, even though Mom had a good job at G.M.

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.

I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere.

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.

My studies are important to me. I made the honor role just recently, with 2 A's and 2 B's.

Most recently my battle has been against AIDS and the discrimination surrounding it.

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.

Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS caused people to panic.

We began a series of court battles for nine months, while I was attending classes by telephone.

Mayor Koch, of New York, was the first public figure to give me support.

I came face to face with death at thirteen years old.

Listening to medical facts was not enough. People wanted one hundred percent guarantees.

We had great faith that with patience, understanding, and education, that my family and I could be helpful in changing their minds and attitudes around.

Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me.

I was labeled a troublemaker, my mom an unfit mother, and I was not welcome anywhere.

Financial hardships were rough on us, even though Mom had a good job at G.M.

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.

The first five to six years of my life were spent in and out of the hospital.

A lot of my time was spent searching, thinking and planning my life.

The school I was going to said they had no guidelines for a person with AIDS.

Eventually, I won the right to attend school, but the prejudice was still there.

I believe in myself as I look forward to graduating from Hamilton Heights High School in 1991.