Aids death teen inspired Elton John to turn his life around
April 29th, 2010 - 6:32 pm ICT by ANILondon, April 29(ANI): Sir Elton John has revealed that an American teenager, who died of Aids in 1990, inspired him to become sober.
Ryan White, 18, had passed away about five years after contracting HIV.
The singer met the boy after he was banned from a central Indiana school at 13. White’s case had drawn public attention to HIV/Aids education and the plight of children with HIV in the 1980s.
John was present at Riley Children’s Hospital when White passed away. He was a pallbearer at the funeral.
Now, the ‘Candle in the Wind’ hitmaker will perform in a benefit event in Indianapolis, marking the 20th anniversary of White’s death.
“It was one of the greatest things in my life to meet Ryan’s family, to be there the last week to try and help, and then for that wonderful message that he gave me to change my life around,” the Mirror quoted him as saying.
He added: “It was weird to take stock and think of it — I’m 20 years sober this year, and it’s 20 years since Ryan died, because I got sober shortly afterward.”
The funds raised will be forwarded to Elton John Aids Foundation and the Indianapolis Children’s Museum’s Power of Children exhibit. (ANI)
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