Ryan's Fans
Ryan connected with many people because of his experience, including internationally recognized athletes and artists. These people kept in touch with Ryan, supporting him through his journey to educate the public on HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. and AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease..
Greg and Ryan White became friends when Greg came to Indianapolis for a diving competition. After that, as a sign of their friendship, Greg gave Ryan some of his diving medals. When Greg competed in the preliminaries for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, he hit his head on the board and was injured with a concussion and had to receive stitches. At the time, the public didn’t know that Greg and Ryan had something in common—both were HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.-positive. The accident scared people and Greg thought about calling it quits. He said later that he wondered what Ryan would do in that situation. He decided that Ryan wouldn’t give up, and that helped Greg find the strength to continue. He went on to complete the best dive of the competition, and to win the gold medal the next day.
After Ryan died, Greg Louganis gave his Olympic gold medal to Ryan's mother, and it is now part of the display about Ryan at the Children's Museum. In April 2015, Greg visited The Power of Children exhibit with Jeanne to see his medal in Ryan's recreated room. He said then, "The thing I’ll always remember about Ryan is his courage, strength, and sense of humor...The way Ryan lived his life continues to give me the strength and courage to do things I might not otherwise feel comfortable doing.”
When Ryan was interviewed on Good Morning America before an AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. fundraising event, he was asked to name his favorite celebrity. Ryan immediately said, “Elton John.” The English rock star wasn’t at the fundraiser, but the following day he called from London and invited Ryan to his next concert in the United States. Ryan didn’t know it then, but Elton would become his most-loyal friend. Sir Elton John and Ryan spoke frequently, and Elton also sang at Ryan's funeral. Sir Elton even credits Ryan’s perseverance and spirit for inspiring Elton to enter drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
To mark the 25th anniversary of his friend Ryan White’s passing (2011), Sir Elton John performed a tribute concert at Clowes Hall on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis. The evening benefitted The Children’s Museum and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Elton and other celebrities continues to raise millions every year for HIV/AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. living, research, and education.
Ryan was constantly listening to Michael Jackson’s music, particularly “Man in the Mirror.” Jackson empathized with Ryan’s struggle in the public eye, and when he first called Ryan, he wanted to make sure Ryan knew that he was more than a supporter, but a friend. Ryan and Michael talked on the phone a lot, and Ryan even visited Neverland Ranch a couple of times to spend time with Michael. When Michael found out Ryan’s favorite car, he bought one for Ryan—a red and black 1988 Ford Mustang GT. Michael attended Ryan’s funeral and would later dedicate his song, “Gone Too Soon” to Ryan.
When asked by Ryan’s mother what made Michael and Ryan so close, Michael stated, “…Nobody ever acts normal round me. Ryan knew how I wanted to be treated because that’s how he wanted to be treated.”
