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

The desire to move into a bigger house, to avoid living AIDS daily, and a dream to be accepted by a community and school, became possible and a reality with a movie about my life, The Ryan White Story.

I came face to face with death at thirteen years old.

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

Eventually, I won the right to attend school, but the prejudice was still there.

AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going. Don't give up, be proud of who you are, and never feel sorry for yourself.

I believe in myself as I look forward to graduating from Hamilton Heights High School in 1991.