THE BOY WHO WASN'T AFRAID
TO DIE (continued)
The news reports first shown
told how Ryan and his family
were shunned by the
citizens in his home town,
Kokomo. His classmates
rejected him, and their
parents acted to bar Ryan
from classes at Western Middle
School in Russiaville, near
Kokomo. Parents and school
officials refused the assurance
of the health officials that
AIDS couldn't be spread
through normal contact.
Ryan continued to keep up his
studies through a computer
telephone system. Eventually
the year long battle was won
and Ryan was re-admitted to
classes. His return to school
led the students to boycot
Ryan. Ryan's family soon
moved to Cicero, a town
approximately 25 miles from
Indianapolis. Ryan was
accepted vermly at Hamilton
Heights High School.
In the Christmas of 1987,
Ryan told reporters his only
wish for Christmas was that
other children with AIDS
would received as much and
warmth as he did at Hamilton
High. In 1988 Ryan described
himself as a "Normal, happy
teenager."
Later Ryan was a young
spokesman for educating
people about AIDS.
Ryan was on many T.V. shows
including, 3-2-1 Contact, the
Phil Donahue show, and was
on the cover of People
magazine. Ryan was also the
subject of a movie about
himself.
Ryan spoke everywhere from
fund-raisers for AIDS, to the
classroom.
Ryan met former President
Ronald Reagan, and current
President George Bush. Before
the White House Commission
of AIDS, Ryan said, "I came
face to face with death at 13
years old, but decided to live
a normal life."
Ryan lived quite a normal life.
Ryan had his 18th birthday
last December. Ryan had a job
at a skateboard store. He also
had a driver's license and a
girlfriend. Ryan was a
popular "kid." Ryan's great
wish was to graduate from
high school. Ryan had
courage, strength, and an
ability to continue fighting as
we hope many others with the
AIDS virus will follow.
EDITORIAL:
By Amy Kell
RYAN WHITE'S BATTLE WITH
AIDS
Dec. 1984 - Doctors diagnose 13
year old Ryan White with
AIDS, which he got from blood
transfusions used to treat his
hemophilia.
July 30, 1985 - Ryan is barred
from school by Western
Schools Corp. Superintendent,
James Smith.
Aug 8, 1985 - The Whites go to
court to sue, so Ryan can go
back to school.
Aug. 26, 1985 - The first day of
school for Western Middle
School. Ryan is able to hear
and talk to the class by a
computer-telephone hook up.
Nov 1, 1985 - Attorneys for
Ryan and the school districts
giving tesatamonies to the
Indiana Department of
Education.
Nov 25, 1985 - Kathleen
Madinger Angelone, a
hearing officer, says Ryan
should be allowed to go to
school when he is not terribly
sick.
Dec 17, 1985 - The Wester
School Board votes about
Kathleen Angelone's ruling.
Feb 6, 1986 - A ruling by the
Department of Education says
nothing can prevent 14 year
old Ryan from attending
classes, as long as he gets
clearance from the health
official.
Feb 13, 1986 - Howard County
health official, Alan Adler,
states that Ryan is well
enough to go back to school.
Feb 21, 1986 - Ryan attends
school for half of a day. Later
in the day a judge gives a
temporary injunction which
no longer allows Ryan to
attend school.
April 10, 1986 - Judge Jack
O'Neill abolishes the
injunction, claming he didn't
have any evidence that Ryan
would be a threat to any of the
students in Ryan's class, so he
returns to school that same
day.
July 18, 1986 - The parents of
the students who attend school
with Ryan, abandon the
five-month legal battle they
had been having, due to
financial problems.
Aug 25, 1986 - Ryan starts 8th
grade at Western High School.
