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Ryan White: My Own Story (Signet)

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I read this book 3 years ago as a sopohomore in high school. I had heard the story of Ryan White but never knew it in this much detail. To be honest, throughout the book, my eyes were rarely ever dry. Ryan was so young, yet he was forced to become an adult much sooner than anyone could ever imagine. No matter what everyone else said about him, Ryan always kept his head up. He never lost hope in himself. I remember once in the book he tells his mom I'll beat this thing or I'll die trying. That is what he did. He died trying to beat the dreadful disease. However, good did come of this. Because of Ryan White, new light has been shed on the entire AIDS issue. He was so brave. I do not know of anyone in this world who possesses the same kind of courage that this young man did.

The story of Ryan White will never leave my heart. He is a true inspiration to all of us and will never be forgotten. In the words of Elton's song "Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did."˙

Today is World AIDS Day and each year I remember my childhood friend, Ryan White. His sister and I were both Rollerskaters and skated in the same skating rinks. Knowing Ryan personally and having his book for years now, it is still a story that resonates with me. It is true, thoughtful, and in his own words.

I'll never forget the hatred the spewed from the city of Kokomo against him. It was such a devastating blow to his well being. Not only did he have this death sentence, but the entire town was treating him worse than what you would treat a pig going to slaughter. I am not joking. I remember seeing him at the skating rink one day, it was a time when he wasn't as sick so he was able to be a kid. I went up to him to give him a hug because I hadn't seen him in so long and he said, "You want to hug ME?" He was shocked that someone would want to touch him. That's how bad it was.

Read his book. He is the reason people with AIDS are accepted now. This friend of mine had more courage than anyone I have ever met.

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.

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.

I heard about his story through the 3-2-1 Contact special that first aired and then read the book. Both presented a young boy who went through some amazing odds and suceded in brining AIDS awareness to the national conciousness.

The prose is simple and unscholarly, but this is the beauty of the book, because Ryan was a real human being with real feelings and frustrations. Although some language will ofend the sensitive, it captures the importance of tolerance and education. In addition to fighting the complications of hemophilia and AIDS, he also had to fight sheer uneducation, and a weaker person would have crumbled a lot earlier.

Picked on because of his difference, Ryan was ultimately more saintly than several hollier than thos fundamentalists who either condemed him or patronized him. Although I am fortunate enough not to have hemophilia or HIV/AIDS, I did see a lot of myself in him and needed the obligatory tissues by my side as I read this compelling story.

In the years since, Elton John has dedicated "Candle in the Wind' to many people and it has lost some of it's bestowment awe, but I remain convinced that it rightfully belongs to Ryan White. As for quotes, I believe Michael Jackson said it best: "Good bye Ryan White, you taught us how to stand and fight" People like this do not come a long every day.

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.

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.

Dear Teens of the World , The Book I read was Ryan White my own story. Ryan white is an excellant book for kids to read. The book is about a young boy named Ryan White. Who is living with AIDs. Ryan was given tainted blood to treat his severe case of hemophilia. Once I read this book I felt changed. The book was hopeful ,heartbreking , and spirited all at the same time. The book makes you think about aids and what you would do if you knew you had aids. Ryan White lead a long and miserable life life because the people of his home town didn't approve of his disease. Ryan loved school : he was an all American Kid and an honors student. He loved school so much that he went to court to stay in school and won the right he was to return immediately. The students parents were against the ruling , however, and took their kids out of school and started their own. It was not that the parents were mean , it was that they were scared.

Ryan had it so hard in Kokomo , kid at school vandalized his locker with words like fag , bit*h and other slurs. Ryan 's house was repeatedly vandalized too from peole shooting at the house and throwing rocks and whisky bottles and trashing the yard while no one was home to scare them . Well it worked : the Whites moved out of Kokomo to Cicero , Indianapolis not only because of the people but he didn't want ot die in Kokomo ,Ryan wasn't afraid to die he just didn't like the thought of being buried in Kokomo's cemetery.

Although Ryan had AIDS he meet some very popular people like Elton John , Micheal Jackson , Lukas Haas , Rev. Jesse Jackson , John Cougar Melloncamp , Paul Newman ,etc.... Ryan was on of Elton johns 1# fans and Elton felt the same about ryan . Ryan went to many campaigns , meeting and conventions to represent kids with aids. He went to Washington D.C. to meet the president. Ryan also went o an AMfar convention that is held in NewYork . Elizabeth Taylor often helped AMfar out with donations.

Ryan's last and final trip before he died was to Washington D.C. to take picture with president reagan and his wife but to very first thing he did in D.C. was go on the Home Show with Howie Long. Then wentto the white houseto tke picture after that they went to the oscar party. Ryan spent the next day asleep while his mom tried to reach ad octor in LA but had no luck , so they took a plane back to Cicero to see ryans doctor. Ryan was admited to the hospital and put on oxygen because he was having trouble. Ryans mom steped out of the room to greet vistors. Once back doctors were huddled around him and his bed. Ryan was being rushed to the intensive care unit .His grandmother flew in right away. Ryan's doctor laid out the situation for ryan and his mother. Ryan Knew that once knocked out that he might not wake up but went on with the plans. Ryan told his mom that he was tired of fighting aids , then the drugs took hold ,and Ryan White never woke up again.

This true and powerful story of ryan white will make you think about life twice because this just proves that you can be their one day and be gone the next. This book just shows you how fragile life is. This story is heartbreaking ,hopeful , sprited , all at the same time. This book is great for all ages.

"My Own Story" by Ryan White should be required reading for everyone. Everyone should have to read this book.

Ryan White was barely a teenager when he contracted AIDS from tainted blood clotting medications he had to take intravenously as a Hemophylliac. Despite being one the first pediatric AIDS patients, and despite having ever single obstacle imaginable stacked again him, Ryan never gave up hope. He never felt sorry for himself, and he never stopped fighting for what was right.

At the same time, he never makes himself into a martyr. Reading the book is like having a conversation, the tone is fluid and relaxed. He doesn't make himself out to be anything other than what he is - a teenager trying his best to do what's right with the hand he was dealt. He talks about his strengths as well as his shortcomings, the good parts in his life as well as the bad.

At a time when AIDS patients were feared like monsters, Ryan's narrative made people realize "hey, he's just a normal kid like me. This could have been me." What happened to Ryan could have happened to anyone, but I don't think most people would have been to face what Ryan faced with the strength he did.

This book will give you hope. This book will make you think about how you live your life. This book will make you wish we hadn't lost Ryan White.

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.