A Timeline of Key Events in Ryan’s Life1971Dec. 6: Ryan Wayne White born to Jeanne Elaine (Hale) and Hubert Wayne White at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Kokomo, IN. Dec 12: Ryan diagnosed with severe hemophilia. Doctors prescribe soon-to-approved Factor 8, a new “miracle” treatment for hemophilia. 1973March 24: Ryan was the poster boy for the Howard County Hemophilia Socity October 15: Ryan’s sister Andrea born. 1984Dec. 17: Ryan diagnosed with full-blown AIDS . T -Cell count 25. At some point, Ryan had been infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, by a tainted batch of Factor 8. 1985Ryan does not return to school after his diagnosis, but he starts feeling better in the spring and Jeanne calls the school to see if Ryan can come for a visit, but is told that he can not. March 3: The Kokomo Tribune first story about Ryan: “Hward County Youth Diagnosed with AIDS.” June 30: Western School Corp. Superintendent James O. Smith denies Ryan admission to Western Middle School in Kokomo. August 3: Indiana State Board of Health issues guidelines for admitting AIDS patients to schools. August 8: Whites file suit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis seeking to get Ryan admitted to school. August 12: Parents of Kokomo school children sign 117 claim forms threatening a civil suit if Ryan is allowed to enter school. August 15: About 50 teachers vote to support decision to keep Ryan out of school August 16: U.S District Judge James E. Noland says the court cannot accept the case until Ryan's attorney exhausts administrative appeals. August 17: Ryan’s attorney files appeal of Smith’s decision. August 26: Classes begin at Western Middle School; Ryan is linked by a telephone hookup. Sept. 2: Ryan admitted to Riley Hospital for treatment of respiratory problems and discharged on Sept. 6. Sept. 18: Ryan first pictured in USA Today “Newsmakers.” Sept. 19: Appeal of school's decision heard at case conference at Western Middle School. Sept. 25: Ryan readmitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection. Sept.30: Ryan on cover of Picture Week. Oct. 2: Western Middle School principal upholds decision to keep Ryan out of the school. Nov. 1: Indiana Department of Education rules Ryan should be allowed to go to school when he is not intensely sick. Nov. 2: Ryan is discharged from Riley Hospital after a six and one-half week stay with a respiratory infection. Nov. 25: Indiana Department of Education hearing officer rules that Ryan must be admitted to school. Dec. 2: At a closed door meeting, school officials order school attorneys to appeal Department of Education ruling. Dec. 17: Western school board votes 7-0 to appeal ruling of Indiana Department of Education that Ryan should be allowed to return to school. 1986Feb 1: Ryan travels to Rome to appear on Italian television show Italia Sera. Feb. 6: Indiana Department of Education appeals board rules there is nothing to prevent Ryan from attending class if he is cleared by Howard County health officer. Feb. 13: Dr. Alan Adler, Howard County health officer, examines Ryan and certifies him fit to attend class. Feb. 18: Ryan and Jeanne travel with Ryan’s friend Heath Brown and attorney Charles Vaughan Sr. to New York to appear on the Today Show and CBS Morning News. Feb. 19: Howard County judge refuses request by parents to issue an injunction to prevent Ryan from attending school. Feb. 21: Ryan returns to school for the first time in 14 months, but 151 of 360 students stay home and seven transfer to other schools. Judge Alan Brubaker grants a restraining order in the afternoon to Concerned Citizens to keep Ryan out of school based on a 1949 Indiana Law that requires parents of children with a communicable diseases to keep them at home Feb. 25: Judge Alan Brubaker orders Concerned Citizens and Parents of Western School to pay $12,000 bond for damages to defendants, including legal fees, if the temporary injunction is later rescinded. March 2: The Concerned Citizens and Parents of Western School, along with Dick Bronson, a local radio personality, host an auction at Western Middle School gymnasium to raise money to keep Ryan out of school. Ryan’s attorney Charles Vaughan files a motion for change of venue from Howard Circuit Court. The venue was changed to Clinton Circuit Court Judge Jack R. O'Neill. April 9: Attorneys argue Whites’ case before Judge O’Neill. April 10: Judge O’Neill dissolves restraining order––Ryan immediately returns to School––27 students are taken home. April 11: Ryan spends second full day in school in more than a year instead of making appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show. April 19: Greg Louganis presents Ryan with his gold medal for the U.S. Diving Indoor Championship Platform title April 22: A home school opens in Russiaville, IN, for students whose parents don't want them to attend school with Ryan. April 29: Ryan co-hosts American Foundation for AIDS Research’s first major fund raiser benefit with Elizabeth Taylor and Calvin Klein in New York at New York Convention Center's Crystal Palace. Appears on Good Morning America. April 30: Judge vacates arguments by parents and upholds earlier ruling. July 18: Indiana Court of Appeals dismisses an appeal by fearful parents who want to bar Ryan from school. August 21: Howard County Health Department examines Ryan and declares him fit to attend school. August 25: Ryan begins eighth grade at Western Middle School. Sept. 29: Elton John flies White family to L.A. on his jet and they attend Elton’s concert at Oakland Coliseum Arena and Pacific Amphitheatre. The White family goes with Elton to Disneyland. 1987Feb.6: Ryan speaks at AIDS in the Heartland Conference in Indianapolis. Jeanne, Ryan, and Andrea appear on the cover of USA Today. May 15: White family moves to Cicero, IN. July: Ryan starts taking AZT. August 3: Ryan appears on the cover of People magazine in an article entitled "Breaking America’s Hearts" August 11: Greg Louganis presents Ryan the gold medal he won in the 3 meter springboard at the Pan American Games. August 31: Ryan begins his freshman year at Hamilton Heights High School without protest. Appears on the front page of USA Today. Sept.: Athletes for Kids trip to California. Party for Ryan and family at Linda Otto's house (producer of upcoming television movie The Ryan White Story). Guests include Judith Light, Lucus Haas, Greg Louganis, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Alyssa Milano, Charlie Sheen, Lorna Luft, Loni Anderson, Marcus Allen and Howie Long. Dec. 18: Ryan honored as a "Sagamore of the Wabash" by Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr. 1988March: Ryan on cover of The Saturday Evening Post. March: Ryan featured on 3-2-1 Contact, "I Have AIDS: A Teenager's Story.” March 3: Ryan testifies before President's Commission on AIDS and appears on ABC's Nightline with Ted Koppel and CNN. March 24: Ryan speaks at Boys Town Omaha, Nebraska and visits Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. Children’s Square USA gives Ryan the "Courageous Determination Award". March 25: Ryan appears on the cover of Junior Scholastic. April 26: Ryan appears on Sally Jessy Raphael. May 30: Ryan featured in a People cover story entitled “Amazing Grace.” June 1: Ryan receives his first car, a Chevrolet Cavalier, donated by the Indiana Independent Auto Dealers Association. June 20: Ryan’s first paycheck for $40.29from Maui Skateboard Shop. July 4-7: Ryan speaks before 8,400 teachers at the National Education Association convention in New Orleans. July 8: Athletes and Entertainers for Kids present "For The Love Of Children.” In L.A. Elton John performs and brings Ryan and Jason Robertson on stage. Ryan sits on piano with Elton. Charlie Sheen and Marlee Matin were the co-hosts. August 18: Filming begins in North Carolina on The Ryan White Story. Sept. 24: Ryan receives James K. Pauley Humanitarian Award from Hemophilia of Indiana Inc. November: Ryan joins the cast of Cheers on location November 16: Screening of The Ryan White Story in L.A. Rob Lowe attends with the White family. November 28: Ryan appears on the Phil Donahue Show. Audience is all kids. 1989January: Ryan is on cover of USA Weekend. January 16: ABC airs The Ryan White Story. Lukas Haas plays Ryan, Judith Light plays Jeanne, Nicki Cox plays Andrea, George C Scott plays Ryan’s attorney, Charles Vaughan Sr., and Sara Jessica Parker plays Laura Creitch, Ryan’s nurse. January 17: Ryan appears on CBS program West 57th. April 10: Surgeon General Koop honors the White family and the Ray family. June: Ryan receives a new Ford Mustang from Michael Jackson. July 4: Ryan is grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade in Cicero. Fall: Ryan on cover of a special issue of LIFE, The 80's Dec. 1: Ryan featured in national campaign by Indiana State Board of Health to teenagers and others about the risk of AIDS. December: Ryan visits Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. 1990February: Ryan inducted in the Mickey Mouse Club Hall of Fame and presented with “The Mickey Award” for children who make a difference. March 27: Ryan does last TV show, The Home Show, with Howie Long. March 26: Ryan co-hosts, with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, an Oscar Party in L.A. sponsored by Athletes and Entertainers for Kids. March 29: Ryan is hospitalized with a respiratory infection. April 2: Ryan in critical condition and on life-support system. Ryan’s family, Elton John and Phil Donahue are by his side. April 3: President George H.W. Bush plants a White House elm in Indianapolis and dedicates it to Ryan. April 5: Ryan's pre-taped interview airs on Prime Time Live. April 7: Elton John dedicates “A Candle in the Wind” to Ryan at Farm Aid IV in the Hoosier Dome and 45,000 people sing along, candles in hand. April 8: On Palm Sunday at 7:11 am, Ryan, age 18, dies at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. April 11: Ryan's funeral at the Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis (pallbearers include Elton John, Phil Donahue, Howie Long, Tommy Hale, Leo Joseph). Friend and pastor Ray Probasco gives the eulogy. More than 1500 family and friends attends, with hundreds standing outside in the rain. The funeral was carried live by CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC. April 26: The “Cosby Show” dedicates and episode entitled “Live and Learn: to Ryan. April 28: Jeanne attends 76th Annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner as a guest of People magazine. August 18: President George H.W. Bush signs the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. Sept. 8: Ryan receives the "Norman Vincent Peale Award For Positive Thinking.” Sept. 24: Ryan’s personal items displayed at The Indiana State Museum. Oct. 15: Michael Jackson writes poem for Ryan called "Ryan White." Dec. 22: Ryan White Night at Indianapolis Colts game. "Colors," a musical tribute to Ryan, by Kenny Aronoff and Jim Irsay is performed. Music video made and cassettes given free to all fans. 1991Jan. 11: Ryan receives NAACP Image Award on national TV. Jeanne accepts award for Ryan. Greg Louganis attends with Jeanne. Jan. 13: Ryan named Indianapolis Star "Man of the Year.” Jan 14: Jeanne White named Indianapolis Star "Woman of the Year.” March 28: Phil Donahue launches book tour for Ryan White: My Own Story. April 1: Dial Books publishes Ryan White: My Own Story and Dove Audio releases and audiocassette version. April: Parents magazine publishes “Ryan's Exclusive Story.” May 6: Bob Hope posthumously awards Ryan the "Elmo Zumwalt III Award of Courage" May 25: State Of Indiana awards Ryan an honorary high school diploma. June 20: Jeanne appears on the “Geraldo” show. August 21: Walk of Legends ceremony at Indiana Fairgrounds; Ryan's name added to the walk. Sept. 20: Ryan appears on the cover of Current Science. Sept. 30: Jeanne joins ACT UP to lead an estimated 600 marchers to the White House to protest President Bush’s alleged inaction on AIDS. Oct. 3: Bill Mack releases sculpture of Ryan titled "HOPE" at Art Expo in LA. 1992August 1: Ryan White Foundation established at wedding reception of Jeanne and Roy Ginder held at the home of Bob lrsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts. September: Jeanne appears on Maury Povich. October 9-11: Jeanne and Roy attend the NAMES Project display in Washington, DC, and photograph all of the panels made in memory of Ryan. 1993Jan.1: Ryan White Foundation opens its doors in Indianapolis with office space donated by Hyatt. Jan. 20: Jeanne and Roy march with The Names Project in President William Jefferson Clinton’s Inaugural Parade and attend Inaugural Gala, where Michael Jackson performs a tribute to Ryan. May 5-11: Jeanne and Roy visit Israel with the Jewish National Fund upon the naming of The Ryan White National Forest dedicated to planting trees for people with AIDS in Israel. Nov. 22: Jeanne receives St Claire Award of Merit at .Helen Hayes Awards Gala at St. Clare’s Hospital Gala. Dec.: Ryan featured in Kid Power Cobblestone Magazine for young people. Dec. 6: Michael Jackson releases video of a ballad entitled “Gone Too Soon,” which features Ryan. 1994Feb.: Jeanne’s story, "Ryan's Miracle," appears in Guideposts magazine. 1995June 20-21: Jeanne on General Hospital playing herself Sept: Ryan chosen to be in the Kids Hall of Fame sponsored by Pizza Hut and National Geographic World. $10,000 presented to Ryan White Foundation. 1996May 20: President Bill Clinton signs the Ryan White Reauthorization Act of 1996. Jeanne attends the signing ceremony. 1999Jan/Feb: Jeanne on cover of Today’s Caregiver magazine. 2001Oct.: Jeanne on cover of Echo magazine |