Ryan white biography for kids
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Originally published in 2012.
Ryan White was an ordinary kid from Indiana, but his extraordinary bravery made a huge positive difference in the world. It has been over 20 years since his death but his legacy of understanding and immense courage still lives on.
After he contracted HIV/AIDS from a hemophilia treatment in the 1980s, school officials refused to allow Ryan to return to school, for fear he’d pass the disease to other school children. This exclusion from school, along with the other bullying and poor treatment he faced, inspired Ryan to spend the rest of his life peacefully fighting discrimination and helping educate people on a disease they knew very little about at that time.
One of Ryan’s biggest goals was to live normally and help others with HIV/AIDS live normal lives, too. This was difficult at a time of great fear and miseducation about the disease, but Ryan proved to be right.
Here are 10 facts about Ryan’s life as a normal kid:
- Ryan W
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Who Was Ryan White?
Ryan vit was 13 when he was diagnosed with AIDS after a blood transfusion in December 1984. Living in Kokomo, Indiana, doctors gave him six months to live.
When Ryan tried to return to school, he faced AIDS-related discrimination in his Indiana community. Along with his mother Jeanne White Ginder, he rallied for his right to attend school. He gained national attention and became the face of public education about the disease.
Surprising his doctors, Ryan lived five years longer than expected. He died in April 1990, one month before his high school graduation. Congress passed the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act in August 1990.
Listen to audio of Ryan White’s mom
Ryan’s mom, Jeanne White Ginder, recounts the early years of struggle, pain, and triumph.
How could he have AIDS?
Play audio
Transcription of Audio:
Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS on månad 17, 1984. He was one of the first children—one of the first h
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Remembering Ryan White
Ryan White was an ordinary kid who used his voice to help change the world. He died more than 30 years ago on April 8, 1990. We honor and celebrate Ryan's life every day at The Children's Museum, a boy who just wanted to be a regular kid.
Fear. Ignorance. Panic.
That’s what many people felt in the 1980s when news began to spread about a frightening new disease—acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Misinformation led to overreaction as the nation struggled to contain its spread. Unfortunately, when it came to AIDS, prejudice and discrimination ruled the day.
Ryan White wanted to be a regular kid
Ryan White was born in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1971. He was born with a rare blood disease called hemophilia. Ryan had to receive blood transfusions to treat his hemophilia. But that didn’t stop him. He wanted to be a regular kid just like everyone else.
“The trouble is, like mos