Customer Reviews

We Are All The Same: A Story of a Boy's Courage and a Mother's Love

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I read this poignant book, I wondered as to how some people seem to get it-- in this instance Gail Johnson who crossed class and race lines to care for Nkosi Johnson, the young Zulu boy who died at the age of 12 with AIDS-- and others either cannot or do not want to get it-- here I refer to President Mbeki of South Africa, Mandella's sucessor, who believes that an "omnipotent apparatus" is using AIDS as an instrument of genocide against black Africans. These instruments are pharmaceutical companies, scientists, physicians, medical researchers and Western goverments.

The author of this book, Jim Wooten of ABC News, says that he is writing "about the relationship between a black child who never grew up and a white woman who never gave up. It has neither a happy ending nor even a promising beginning, for the child had no choice and no chance, and the woman knew all along what she was up against." Like the current U. S. deficit, the numbers of AIDS cases in Africa, or anywhere else for that matter, have very little impact on us. They are so large and impersonal. But the story of the courageous young Nkosi puts a face on the pandemic and in a small way brings it home to all of us. As the youngster said so eloquently: "We are all the same."

Both Nkosi and his adopted mother-- she actually did not adopt him legally and, according to Wooten, made every effort to see that he maintained a relationship with his birth family-- were heroes of the first order. (I kept wishing as I read this book in one setting that Wooten had provided the reader with a photograph of Ms. Johnson. I wanted to put a face on Nkosi's adopted "angel" mother.") It is sad to learn that Nelson Mandela, certainly one of the world's heroes, did not speak out against AIDS as he could have while he was president because he was uncomfortable discussing sex. I would nominate the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, as an unusual hero too who did use his position to speak out about AIDS and when faced with opposition by the Catholic archbishop of the use of condoms by Uganda citizens to curb the spread of AIDS simply said to the archbishop: "'Your Eminence, shut up!'" According to the president, that's precisely what the archbishop did. He shut up. Finally Wooten is to be commended for breaking the rules of journalism and becoming emotionally involved as he fell under the spell of this young boy. If you read this fine story-- and certainly this is a great book for this season-- you will not soon forget Mr. Wooten's lying down beside the dying boy to say his own goodbyes.

This remarkable story of courage and love will warm your heart.

Mr. Wooten has crafted a story of extraordinary elegance and simplicity. I can only imagine what a formidable task it was for him to attempt to convey the strength, purity and valour of this one fragile, brave boy in a sea of pain and despair. One is left with both a sense of unspeakable grief at the cruelty of a cold and uncaring world and the light of hope; if one small child and one determined woman can move the mountains of ignorance then there may redemption for us all. I challenge anyone to read this book and not be profoundly altered.

This is a moving story about AIDS. In some areas of southern Africa the life expectancy has been cut in half. The hero of this book is a little boy born in South Africa. His growth was stunted by pediatric AIDS. He lived for 12 1/2 years before he passed away. The author met this little boy who had a wonderful sense of humor. The theme of his life is that he was a "normal" boy. He had a huge infectious smile that everyone loved. This little boy fought for the right to go to school and won that right for himself and others.

In Africa AIDS is a heterosexual disease and a childrens disease. This little boy, Nkosi, fought for the rights of all persons with AIDS. Nkosi had tremendous courage and his mantra was to do all he could in the time he had. He was even the keynote speaker at a major AIDS conference in South Africa. He spoke in front of over 20,000 people at this conference.

Nkosi had a wisdom beyond his years. He was a very smart little boy. He had a sense of himself and was sophisticated far beyond his years. He was always willing to talk about persons with AIDS as he believed it was a cause far bigger than just himself.

Nkosi had a classmate in school who became his best buddy. Nkosi's teacher was just marvelous and treated Nkosi without a stigma. Living to 12 1/2 years Nkosi was one of the longest living pediatric aids babies in South Africa. As you read this wonderful book you will learn all about a this boy's courage and his mother's great love for him.

By the late 1980s AIDS had become an epidemic. The dreaded disease was particularly devastating to black South Africans, segregated by race, poverty and cruel social stigma. Those afflicted did not know the name of this illness; they called it "the thin disease." They knew only that to contract it was to receive a death sentence.

Veteran news correspondent Jim Wooten had spent much time reporting war, strife and upheaval on the African continent. It is through Jim's eyes, ears and soul that Nkosi Johnson's story is revealed. In February 1989 a tiny, sickly baby boy was born to Daphne, a single teenager living in poverty in a remote village with no name in what had once been Zululand. Daphne contracted AIDS during this second pregnancy, so at birth her baby was already destined to suffer.

While more developed parts of the world were setting up AIDS care centers, shelters and hospices, South Africa remained, medically speaking, in the Stone Age. Public officials refused to deal with the grave situation. President Thabo Mbeki stonewalled efforts to provide information about the disease and any possible treatment for it. In fact, Mbeki went so far as to say that AIDS medications were poison.

Daphne was frightened because her tiny baby was constantly ill and could not gain weight. She crossed social and cultural barriers just to take Nkosi to a clinic in the white part of town where a kindly doctor gave her the dreaded news that both she and Nkosi were afflicted. Daphne was determined to place her son someplace where he would be taken care of when she became too ill to look after him.

Gail Johnson, a middle-class white woman who lived in a suburb of Johannesburg, became an outspoken advocate for AIDS patients after meeting a friend's brother who was dying of AIDS alone and uncared for. She was appalled that AIDS patients were treated like modern-day lepers. Gail set up a shelter for these dying white men, and Daphne showed up on the doorstep of the Guest House in Johannesburg begging the shelter's staff to take her son. Nkosi did move into the shelter and instantly became the darling of both patients and staff. Financial problems soon forced the closing of the Guest House, so Gail and her family took Nkosi into their home to raise as their own. Daphne died when Nkosi was three.

In Gail's home Nkosi received unconditional love, healthy food, hygenic surroundings, and a chance to be a happy child in spite of his illness. Much of the book deals with Gail's efforts to educate people about the need for treatment and compassion for AIDS victims. She had a real fight on her hands just trying to enroll Nkosi in school. Together, Nkosi and foster mother Gail became powerful AIDS spokespersons. Nkosi considered it his duty to speak up to try to soften the hearts of government officials and others who could make a real difference in the war against AIDS.

The title of this extremely powerful book is extracted from a speech Nkosi often gave. Everywhere he went Nkosi reminded folks, "We are all the same." Nkosi and Gail appeared on television broadcasts in America and visited New York to give speeches at worldwide conferences. Though Nkosi was born into poverty and disease in a Third World country, he had become famous long before he died at age twelve. His obituary appeared on the front page of many prominent newspapers. The courageous poster child accomplished his mission.

--- Reviewed by Carole Turner

We Are All The Same

In his short twelve years of life, a young South African boy through courage, determination, and love taught the world that Aid's is a killer with no concern for race, age, religion, or sexual preference. "We Are All The Same written by Jim Wooten deserves a five-star rating for is raw and real depiction of not only the life of young Nkosi Johnson, but of that of his world in which he and so many others live. With the help and love from two mothers Nkosi used his life to bring the world's attention to his killer; making his own life an open book, this young child born to poverty only wanted to help others living with and dying from Aids; although, the author indulges readers into aspects of his life that are irrelevant to the story, or the life of Nkosi this does not take away from the strong courageous, and heartfelt message that this book delivers.

In the late eighty's and early nineties the word Aid's was believed to be here in America as a gay disease. But in Africa a continent that this disease took hostage quietly over the years this was the number one killer. Not just of gays or loose women, but for wives, husbands, and their children. One child born with this disease that was passed to him unknowingly from his mother used his illness to reach out and teach a nation.
Handy 2

Unlike most children born with Aid's; Nkosi was given a second life when his mother did the only thing she felt she could to protect her son, and that was to take Nkosi where she felt he would be safe from the life, and people around him. Living in a shelter for aids victim's as a baby Nkosi was taken in by the shelters founder and her family when the shelter went bankrupt. It was there in that house, with that loving family Nkosi received the love, nourishment, and courage to live his life.
Gail Johnson, and her family not only took in a baby who was at the time HIV positive, but together they took on his disease. Every battle was fought together as a family, and every triumph was celebrated together as a family. In the house Nkosi received the love that kept him living longer than he was expected to. It was with this love he and his foster mother felt for other Aids victims that sent the two of them on his life long crusade. From his first interview with Nkosi Johnson Jim Wooten admits to being drawn to him, and the courageous women that loved him.
This book is truly a treasure. I was moved and enlightened by the story of this young boy's life. From this book any one who reads it will be in for an emotional treat that will live in your heart and memory forever. It educated me on the crusade of Hiv and Aid's, and just how far we as people have come with the acceptance and understanding of it's victims. This is a book that I will keep in my permanent library and revisit through the years.

"We Are All the Same" is the compelling account of the life of Xolani Nkosi Johnson, an African child that was bound by the wrath of HIV and AIDS. The book also details the social, environmental, and political environment which allowed this treacherous disease (AIDS) to pollute and emaciate entire populations of citizens: A disease which knows no boundaries; a disease which does not discriminate; a disease that kills all that are infected by its virus.

Wooten is a writer to be revered for his honesty, and applauded for covering what is often regarded as a subject to be discussed in hushed circumstances.

As compelling as "Tuesday's with Morrie," this book will leave the reader in a state of deep thought and introspect. "We Are All the Same" forces the reader to enter an emotional state that opens the heart to the raw brutality of the consequences of AIDS and the unfortunate position that many developed nations take as they turn a blind eye to what is commonly referred to as the "Dark Continent."

Angela, PhD Candidate

This a very touching book about Nkosi, a young South African boy who had the HIV/AIDS virus. With inspiring and tremendous courage, the young Nkosi lived his short life making an effort to live like any other healthy child and caught the attention of the world by becoming a young messenger of hope for the millions afflicted by the virus. With the support of her determined foster mother, the young Nkosi accomplished what may be described as his mission to galvanize the world for the drive to find a cure to HIV/AIDS. Like in the story I am hated, those with terminal we need to be very understanding with those with illnesses.

Loved this book. I learned so much about the history (and present) of South Africa. And what it was like for a real person to live through it. Addressing issues from both sides and through three generations. This story was definitely told by someone passionate about the subject and emotionally involved with the characters--in a good way. I am so thankfuls that someone has told Nkosi's story and the story of South Africa. It is pretty even and doesn't shy away from the flaws of its heroes or the truth of the times. Very well told, a must read to anyone who wants to consider themselves educated and interested in international matters. The AIDS crisis isn't something anyone can ignore anymore and this book really brings it home. Also, just a great story.

The battle against HIV and AIDS can boast any number of heroes (and cowards), and ABC News correspondent Jim Wooten focuses on two of the more courageous warriors. Gail Johnson, a white woman in South Africa, selflessly took it upon herself to establish a hospice for adults living with AIDS--a non-profit undertaking that inevitably collapsed from lack of support and money. During Johnson's tenure as director, Nkosi, a three-year-old Zulu boy with AIDS, arrived at the hospice and Johnson and her family ultimately (and unofficially) adopted him for the remainder of his life. "The boy became an instant star," both at the hospice and at home.

Nkosi wasn't expected to live more than a few months or years yet, defying the medical odds, lived to the age of 12--and through a series of events (not to mention his preternaturally magnificent eloquence) became an international face of AIDS in Africa. "We Are Not the Same" is his and Gail's story: how they confronted ignorance and cowardice, the NAMBY attitudes of their neighbors, the horrific health issues, the forlorn poverty of the boy's blood relatives (as well as a distrust of Gail that alternated with an opportunism born of desperation), the bewildering media attention and global celebrity, and even South African President Thabo Mbeki's dangerous and egocentric denial of the causes of AIDS.

I generally spurn anything that smacks of sentimentalism, and I'm not a fan of books that deliberately tug at your heartstrings. This account, however, is too raw and honest to be considered maudlin; while Wooten surely doesn't shy away from the tear-jerking scene, I don't think there was a more suitable way for him to tell this story. Indeed, Wooten admits, "with some reluctance . . . I have inserted myself into certain aspects of their story" as a means of "coming to grips on this historical, emotional, political terrain on which it occurred." He strikes the right balance; to pose behind a fictitious journalistic mask of objectivity when faced with such a child and such a tragedy would have been a mistake. It's been many a year since a book's pathos affected me to the point of tears, and I can't imagine the reader who wouldn't be similarly touched.

Excellent book. I read it because I am going to South Africa, but this book is a good read for everyone. It is informative and compassionate with just the right amount of information to get a clear picture of the characters and how AIDS has impacted this country.