Jeanne White-Ginder reflects on Ryan White’s message and her story as a mom
Nashville, Tenn. – The history of Ryan White covers multiple aspects of human society: political, social, economic, scientific, technological, medical, cultural, and intellectual.
On December 6, 1971, Ryan White was born to Jeanne Elaine Hale (mother) and Hubert Wayne White (father). At three days old he was diagnosed with Hemophilia, a blood coagulation disorder that causes the blood to not clot properly. Healthy most of his childhood, he became seriously ill with pneumonia and during a lung biopsy on December 17, 1984, he was diagnosed with AIDS. Although the doctors only gave him 6 months to live – Ryan insisted on living his life normally and Jeanne was determined to give her son his dream.
In 1985, Ryan tried returning to Western Middle School in Russiaville, Indiana – but was denied by school officials. The administration was under much pressure from parents and faculty due to their lack of understanding about AIDS transmission. At this time scientists hadn’t fully understood every aspect of transmission but knew that casual contact was not a risk factor.
His crusade to remain in school captured the nation’s attention and forever changed our views of AIDS and those living with it. Ryan White died five and a half years after being diagnosed with AIDS. Today, his name is an invitation to enjoy life, a call for understanding, and a cry for increased research. In the nearly 30 years since Ryan died, Jeanne White-Ginder has remained an advocate for the HIV/AIDS community. To this day she takes her story on the road, inspiring people throughout the country and world by sharing Ryan’s messages and her story as a mom.
Nashville CARES invites you to join them on December 1, 2022, at the Country Music Hall of Fame for a time of reflection and celebration featuring Jeanne White-Ginder. Breakfast is at 7:00 AM and the program begins at 8:00 AM. Tickets are available at WorldAIDSDayEvent.com.
Nashville CARES has been committed to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS within Middle Tennessee since 1985.
About Nashville CARES:
Our Mission: Nashville CARES mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee. We work to achieve this through education, advocacy and support for those at risk for or living with HIV.
Our vision is a community where HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur, everyone with HIV/AIDS has access to the care, treatment and support to achieve optimal health and self-sufficiency without stigma or discrimination.
Last year Nashville CARES served more than 50,000 Middle Tennesseans infected and affected by HIV/AIDS including HIV prevention education to more than 29,000 youth and adults, more than 10,000 FREE confidential HIV tests, and essential support services to 3,400 men, women and children living with the disease. To learn more, visit us at NashvilleCARES.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
