Ryan White: My Own Story

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Summary: Ryan White: My Own Story
Review: He had brown eyes and light brown hair. He is Ryan White. Ryan White, was born Ryan Wayne White, on December 6, 1971. His parents, were told three days later, that he was a hemopheliac. Being a hemopheliac means your blood does not clot the way it is suppose to. But there was a new product out that contained the clotting agents found in blood, it was called Factor VIII. Ryan grew up having many bleeds, and would get Factor VIII thrue an IV, twice a week. When had pneumonia, he had to have an surgery. So on December 17, 1984, he had 2 inches of his left lung removed. Two hours later, the doctors told his mother that he had got AIDS. He was given only 6 months to live. He was determined to continue to go to school and live his life normally. But in 1985, not much was known about AIDS, and what most people knew about it, was not the truth. Not very much was known about AIDS. Ryan faced a lot of discrimination. His school tried to keep him from attending. But he fought against them. Bullets were fired and bricks were thrown into his home. Then, he and his family moved to Cicero, Indiana. People there had been educated and Ryan was happy again. He had his learner's permit. He had friends, his family, and he was turning an incurable disease into a way to edcuate America. He got to meet two of his favorite singers, Elton John and Micheal Jackson. When Ryan died, ELton John wrote a song for him called, "Candle in the Wind." Micheal Jackson who brought him a car, in favorite colors, red and black. He met Alyssa Milano, who kissed him. He even appeared on, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, Today Show, Sally Jesse Raphael, Phil Donahue, Home Show, Peter Jennings, Nightline, West 57th Street, Entertainment Tonight, and Primetime Live. He recieved these awards, Norman Vincent Peale Award, A street named -- Ryan White Circle, Bob Hope Award--Spirit of America Awards, Poster Child of Indiana, Hemophilia of Indiana, The Young Hero Award, Indiana Civil Liberties Award, and Sagamore of the Wabash Award. There was a movie made about him, based on this book. Ryan played his friend Chad. But on April 8, 1990, the world lost a wonderful person.

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Summary: Great Book
Review: I first read Ryan White's Story last summer of 2002. It was a wonderful book. It really made me think about my own life and I relized that I needed to be thankful for each day the Lord gave me. Having AIDS can be a really hard thing for someone to deal with. But with all the courage that Ryan White had, he did everyting he could to stop it from coming but death took his toll and he died on in April of 1990. We need to remember to help those who "might" have AIDS. Today, fear of AIDS still lurks in the air and even one or two people might get it but if I remember right 1 in 10 people get AIDS. It's sad but it's really true.

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Summary: Ryan White taught us how to act different
Review: I purchased this book as a hardcover after his death. And I'm not ashamed to say that I cried that day. I first saw Ryan on Donahue and my outlook changed after that. I was a self centered teenager and I didn't care about anyone or anything. After I read his story my heart went out to him. I still have his book. I'm saving it for my son hoping that one day he will read it and realize that no one is perfect. And that no one is immune to 'any' kind of disease whether it's AIDS or cancer. The book made me understand that you couldn't get AIDS from casual contact. I later learned that a friend of mine (he died in 1994) had AIDS. I had no problem with this. I still hugged him and he gave me kisses on the cheek. It never bothered me. I do regret that he never held my son before he died, but I realize that he might have thought that I might not have liked it. And I still wished to this day that I told him that it was o.k.

Ryan's story changed my life, like Elton John once said. And like Elton now, I don't take anything for granted. If I had one wish it would be to see Ryan and be his friend. And April 8, 1990 will be a day I will always remember as the day a very brave boy/man said his peace and changed the way alot of us think.

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Summary: A story that will make you think about your own life...
Review: I read this book becasue my friend told me I should. She said I would cry, and I did. Ryan White was a remarkable person. He was born with hemophilia and struggled through much of his short life trying to be a normal kid. Ryan was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13. I am 14 years old, and I know what it is like to be a teenager. The trials and tribulations any normal teen goes through, Ryan went through but he did it with his deadly disease. I am amazed at how much strength and courage he and his family all had. When their own hometown turned their backs on the White family, they moved and built up a whole new life with new friends. Wherever Ryan went, his message also followed and the message is this: NEVER give up on your life. Thank you.

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Summary: Inspiring
Review: I read this book upon entering seventh grade. Ryan's story was so empowering and so honest that I often feel the need just to sit down and read a chapter by random. Everytime I read it I cry. This auto- biography has inspired me to help in the relief and research for AIDS. I have done reports on the disease and Ryan and teachers often comment about how passionate I am about the subject. This book changed the way I veiw life; a treasure that should'nt be wasted. Thank you Ryan.

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Summary: This could only be better were it not a true story
Review: I've probably read this about 6 times and it doesn't lose a single thing each time.

As you probably know, Ryan White was a teen in the 80's who contracted AIDS in a terryfying manner(you'll have to read it to find out how). Ryan was ana amzing child whose sense of perseverence is astounding. His story is eloquent, but easy to read. It elicits a plethora of emotions throughout the read, being touching, gutwrenching, somber, and heartwarming. It touches on some of the early-day fears and falsitudes about AIDS, the prejudice he suffered as a result, and the people he touched. However the most amazing thing I can recall is that Ryan did the unthinkable: he makes Michael Jackson seem normal.

This book will most probably change you in one way or another. It's one of my personal favorites and the only biography I enjoyed more was "Andy Kaufman: REVEALED", but that's only because Kaufman's story was much more ligthearted. I think "Ryan White: My Own Story" could only be improved if by some miracle of fate it was a work of fiction and Ryan would not have had to suffer through what he did.

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Summary: Touching and simply inspiring
Review: Ryan White was born with hemophilia, which means that his blood does not clot the way it is supposed to. Fortunately, there was a new product, Factor VIII, which contained the clotting agents found in blood.
After Ryan took Factor VII repeatedly, he started to get severely sick. His mother brought him to a doctor and found out that he had contracted AIDS through the tainted blood products that he had been given for his hemophilia. He was only thirteen.
He was denied the right to return to school to study as the people of his hometown, Kokomo, did not approve of his disease. He went to court and fought for his right to return to his school. Ryan won the case eventually, but many parents withdrew their children from the school in fear of Ryan's disease.
Although Ryan could return to his studies, the children at his school taunted him and vandalized his locker with vulgarities. Ryan's house was vandalized too; bullets were fired into his house, rocks and bricks were hurled, and people thrashed the White's backyard.
Ryan and his family had enough of it. They moved from Kokomo to Cicero, Indianapolis. With great courage, Ryan began to speak out against the misconceptions about AIDS and called for AIDS sufferers to be treated with equality and compassion. He was very welcomed in his new hometown and was invited by many schools and countries across the country to give talks.
Ryan's last and final trip before he died was to Washington D.C, to take a photo with President Regan and his wife, but the very first thing he did when he arrived was to attend the Home Show with Howie Long.
However, during the next day, April 8 1990, Ryan was admitted to the hospital as he was having trouble breathing. Some visitors, including Elton John, came to visit Ryan. Ryan's mother stepped out to greet them as they arrived. Once they were back into the room, they saw doctors huddled around Ryan and his bed. Ryan was then rushed to the intensive care unit.
Once there, Ryan's doctors laid out the situation for Ryan and his mother; Ryan knew that once he was knocked out me would never wake up again, but he told the doctor to go on with the plans. Ryan told his mother that he was tired of fighting AIDS, then the drugs took effect, and the world lost a wonderful person.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. It is suitable for all ages. It is both heart warming, hopeful, spirited and heart breaking at the same time because it is a true story about people fighting for what they believe in. This true and powerful story about Ryan White will make you think twice about life because it tells you that you can be alive and well one day but you might be gone the next.

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Summary: Ryan White: A Touching Story
Review: Ryan Whites book was very touching and emotional. It helped me to understand that not all people in this world are good like the people who discriminated Ryan. It showed me to have strength and courage like Ryan did. And to stand up for the rights I believe in. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys true stories.

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Summary: A must read for any middle school aged child
Review: This book gave an excellent account of the publics fears and misconceptions in regards to unknown diseases. The tragedy the White family suffered was only fueled by America's lack of understanding. Now that we know more about AIDS we can look at this story from a new perspective and see how one family can make it through hard times without divorcing themselves form each other or turning to artificial stimuli like drugs or alcohol.I would suggest this book be read at the middle school level and that kids discuss this issue with their parents. The book shows that even though Ryan White was terminally ill he only wanted to be a normal kid.

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Summary: An uplifting story of love and courage
Review: This is probably the best book I have ever read. Ryan was an incredibly strong boy who left his mark on the world. He will never be forgotten for his endless efforts to help people with AIDS and for all of the lives he's touched. Ryan accomplished more in his seventeen years of life than most people do in one hundred years. You will fall in love with Ryan and his family. Ryan loved life and he made every second count. While fighting his illness, he did everything possible to help other people with AIDS. Although short, Ryan led a very full life, one that he was very grateful for. Ryan was put on this earth for a reason and after reading this book, you'll soon realize why.