Mayor Koch, of New York, was the first public figure to give me support.

Financial hardships were rough on us, even though Mom had a good job at G.M.

How could these people in the public eye not be afraid of me, but my whole town was?

Twice a week I would receive injections or IV's of Factor VIII which clotted the blood and then broke it down.

My studies are important to me. I made the honor role just recently, with 2 A's and 2 B's.

People would get up and leave so they would not have to sit anywhere near me.

Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS caused people to panic.