Mothers - Biography, Infant & Child Patients - Biography, AIDS Patients - Biography

Weeding Out the Tears

Name: Weeding Out the Tears
Author: Phil Donahue
ISBN: 9780380973286

by Phil Donahue

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Overview

Ryan White was an American hero. A thirteen-year-old hemophiliac who contracted AIDS through tainted factor needed to treat his hemophilia, he confronted the ignorance and bigotry all around him with a quiet strength and patient determination - and, in doing so, was instrumental in educating and awakening a nation by giving a child's face to the dread disease. And one woman stood beside him throughout his five-year-long struggle for acceptance and understanding, helping Ryan to discover the wisdom and maturity to deal with the media, the strength to overcome prejudice, and the courage to face death. That woman was his mother, Jeanne. Weeding Out the Tears is Jeanne White's poignant and uplifting personal story of struggle and survival...of the family that sustained her; the neighbors that betrayed them; the celebrities, like Elton John and Phil Donahue, who offered their comfort and support; and the nation that ultimately listened. It is an antidote for despair - a mother's inspiring account of the values, pride, inner fortitude and hope that enabled her and her loved ones to endure tragedy and rediscover the sweetness there is in life.

After contracting AIDS through a tainted clotting factor, hemophiliac Ryan White, at age 13, confronted the ignorance and bigotry all around him with strength and determination. The one woman who stood beside him throughout his ordeal, his mother, Jeanne White, now tells the uplifting story of their struggle to the bitter end, when Ryan died in 1990. 8 pp. of photos. 240 pp. Media publicity. Author tour. Print ads. 40,000 print.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

White was a single mother and factory worker in Kokomo, Ind., when her 13-year-old son, Ryan, was diagnosed with AIDS. A hemophiliac, the boy had contracted the disease from Factor VIII, a clotting agent he was given regularly and that came from the blood of unknown donors. Ryan's diagnosisthe first publicized case of a child with AIDSrocked the little community of Kokomo and, ultimately, the whole country. A year-long court battle ended with Ryan being allowed to attend school, but that didn't stop the harassment, discrimination and death threats to which he, his family and their friends were subjected. Through it all, White had Ryan and his healthy sister (a nationally ranked roller skater) to care for, bills to pay and quickly dwindling resources. With help from a variety of what White calls "guardian angels"including Phil Donahue, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Greg Louganisshe managed to stay afloat and move her children to a more accepting community. After Ryan's death, White, who was terrified of public speaking, gradually began accepting invitations to speak about AIDS, to educate both the public and powerful government officials. As a result, the Ryan White CARE Act was passed and the Ryan White Foundation was formed. White now spends all her time raising money, educating people and visiting AIDS patients around the country. This straightforward, smoothly written memoir (Dworkin was an editor at Ms. magazine) tells how one woman's process of tremendous growth led her to find meaning and purpose in the suffering she and her family endured. Photos not seen by PW. 40,000 first printing; author tour. (Apr.)

Library Journal

It has been seven years since the death of Ryan White, a teenager who contracted AIDS while being treated for hemophilia. Given three to six months to live, Ryan lived five and a half years before his death at age 18. Even while he was lauded in the media, Ryan was scorned and rejected by neighbors and former friends who chose to remain ignorant of the true cause and dangers of his illness. Ryan's spirit was kept healthy by the love and support of his mother, Jeanne. Here she looks back at her own life's journey. Throughout marital and economic difficulties, she kept her faith that each challenge prepares us to meet those that follow. Here she shares memories of Ryan and explains how she came to establish the Ryan White Foundation and speak out as an AIDS activist. A popular addition for high school and public libraries.Catherine T. Charvat, John Marshall Lib., Alexandria, Va.