RYAN WHITE

STUDENT

The dignity with which young Ryan White bore his illness and its stigma was in stark contrast to those who shun AIDS patients. He won the compassion of people everywhere and gave hope and inspiration to many besides those with AIDS.

Born in Kokomo, Indiana, December 6, 1971, Ryan White had the genetic blood disease hemophilia. Infected with HIV through treatment with contaminated blood products, he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985. He was taunted and ostracized at school and was finally expelled. Neighbors pelted the Whites' car, and a bullet was fired into their home. Fleeing Kokomo, the family moved to nearby Cicero, where they were welcomed, and Ryan attended school for the rest of his short life.

Young Ryan just wanted a normal teenager's life-a car, a date for the prom-but hardship and impending death made him serene and wise beyond his years. People magazine quoted him as saying to a minister, "I've learned that God doesn't punish people. I've learned that God doesn't dislike homosexuals, like a lot of Christians think. AIDS isn't their fault, just like it isn't my fault. God loves homosexuals as much as He loves everyone else."

His gentleness touched the nation, and many people wrote to him, called, or came to visit, including the film stars Tom Cruise, Charlie Sheen, and Brooke Shields. Michael Jackson gave him a car, and the diver Greg Louganis, who said, "Ryan is a hero to me,' gave the boy one of his Olympic gold medals. The rock star Elton John took the White family to Disneyland, and when Ryan died in 1990, at the age of 18, John sang "Skyline Pigeon" at his funeral. Next Card 56: RICKY WILSON: Rock Star