In the past, magic flowed freely throughout the world. Powerful sorcerers and witches roamed the lands, casting spells and enchantments with ease. It was an age of wonder, where possibilities seemed endless. However, as time went on, the magic began to wane. The world entered a new era, the age of limited magic. No one knows for sure why the magic faded.
Young boys and girls with HIV attend school and take medicine that allows them to lead normal lives. Children in America are seldom born with the virus, and they no longer contract it through transfusions. The insults and injustices you suffered are not tolerated by society.
Ryan died on 9th April 1990, by which time he had returned to education, regularly appeared on television to tell his story, and become a beacon of hope for fellow AIDS sufferers the world over. One of the first deals Owens made with his former manager Dallas Green, just hired as Cubs GM, was to ship Moreland, Dan Larson and Dickie Noles to Chicago in exchange for Mike Krukow.
No one knows for sure why the magic faded. Some believe that it was the result of a cosmic shift or a change in the fabric of reality itself. Others speculate that it was the consequence of overuse and depletion of the magical energy that sustained the world.
I miss you so very much, Ryan
In December of 1984, 13-year-old Ryan White was given 6 months to live after contracting AIDS during a contaminated treatment for hemophilia, a blood condition with which he had lived since birth. By June of 1985, keen to resume as normal a lifestyle as possible, Ryan attempted to return to school; however, due to ignorance and an intense stigma that surrounded the virus in its infancy, his wish was denied by school officials unable to ignore a petition signed by fearful parents and teachers. Ryan died on 9th April 1990, by which time he had returned to education, regularly appeared on television to tell his story, and become a beacon of hope for fellow AIDS sufferers the world over. Twenty years after Ryan’s death, the following letter was written to Ryan by his friend, Elton John, who had been at Ryan’s bedside on the day of his death.
Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS. I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter.
I remember so well when we first met. A young boy with a terrible disease, you were the epitome of grace. You never blamed anyone for the illness that ravaged your body or the torment and stigma you endured.
When students, parents and teachers in your community shunned you, threatened you and expelled you from school, you responded not with words of hate but with understanding beyond your years. You said they were simply afraid of what they did not know.
When the media heralded you as an “innocent victim” because you had contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion, you rejected that label and stood in solidarity with thousands of HIV-positive women and men. You reminded America that all victims of AIDS are innocent.
When you became a celebrity, you embraced the opportunity to educate the nation about the AIDS epidemic, even though your only wish was to live an ordinary life.
Ryan, I wish you could know how much the world has changed since 1990, and how much you changed it.
Young boys and girls with HIV attend school and take medicine that allows them to lead normal lives. Children in America are seldom born with the virus, and they no longer contract it through transfusions. The insults and injustices you suffered are not tolerated by society.
Most important, Ryan, you inspired awareness, which helped lead to lifesaving treatments. In 1990, four months after you died, Congress passed the Ryan White Care Act, which now provides more than $2 billion each year for AIDS medicine and treatment for half a million Americans. Today, countless people with HIV live long, productive lives.
It breaks my heart that you are not one of them. You were 18 when you died, and you would be 38 this year, if only the current treatments existed when you were sick. I think about this every day, because America needs your message of compassion as never before.
Ryan, when you were alive, your story sparked a national conversation about AIDS. But despite all the progress in the past 20 years, the dialogue has waned. I know you would be trying to revive it if you were here today, when the epidemic continues to strike nearly every demographic group, with more than 50,000 new infections in the United States each year. I know you would be loudly calling for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy that was promised by President Obama but has not yet been delivered. I know you would reach out to young people. I know you would work tirelessly to help everyone suffering from HIV, including those who live on the margins of society.
It would sadden you that today, in certain parts of the United States, some poor people with AIDS are still placed on waiting lists to receive treatment. It would anger you that your government is still not doing enough to help vulnerable people with HIV and populations that are at high risk of contracting the virus, including sexually active teenagers. It would upset you that AIDS is a leading cause of death among African Americans.
It would frustrate you that even though hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive Americans are receiving treatment in your name, more than 200,000 don’t know their HIV-positive status, largely because a lingering stigma surrounding the disease prevents them from being tested. It would disappoint you that many teenagers do not have access to science-based HIV-prevention programs in school, at a time when half of new infections are believed to be among people under 25.
I miss you so very much, Ryan. I was by your side when you died at Riley Hospital. You’ve been with me every day since. You inspired me to change my life and carry on your work. Because of you, I’m still in the struggle against AIDS, 20 years later. I pledge to not rest until we achieve the compassion for which you so bravely and beautifully fought.
Months after Ryan’s death, the Ryan White CARE Act was enacted in his honour. To this day it offers support and funding to those with HIV/AIDS in the United States.
In 1992, inspired by Ryan’s story, Elton John launched the Elton John AIDS Foundation. It has since raised hundreds of millions of pounds whilst working to overcome the stigma and inequality that prevents this “global epidemic” from being ended.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 1.5 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2020, and 680’000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in the same period. Please visit their website to learn more.
Share this:
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
-I think it’s important that the notes are not just about work. In mine, my two most important categories are “Life” (which is mostly advice for myself) and another called “Me”, where I put things that I think are important criticisms or places for improvement in my own life. (By that I mean stuff about dealing with parents, relationships, etc. Just little reminders that help.)
Whatever the cause, the effects were undeniable. Spells that once were simple became more difficult to cast. The power of enchantments diminished, and magical artifacts lost their potency. The once-mighty sorcerers and witches now found themselves struggling to maintain their abilities. The age of limited magic had profound implications for both the magical and non-magical communities. For those who relied on magic for their livelihoods, such as healers or alchemists, the limitations put a strain on their abilities. They had to adapt and find new ways to achieve their goals, often resorting to more mundane methods. For those without magic, the age of limited magic offered a sense of relief. The unchecked power of sorcerers and witches had often led to chaos and destruction in the past. With the decline of their abilities, the non-magical population felt safer and more secure. However, the age of limited magic also brought with it new challenges. Magic had been an integral part of society for so long that its absence left a void. The reliance on magical solutions had made people complacent, and now they had to confront problems without the crutch of spells and enchantments. Despite the limitations, some individuals still possessed a strong affinity for magic. These individuals were known as "gifted ones," and they were few and far between. Their abilities were still formidable, but they too struggled under the weight of the age of limited magic. The age of limited magic had a profound impact on the world, changing the way people lived and interacted. It forced individuals to adapt and find new ways to solve problems. It brought about a sense of balance and groundedness, but also a longing for the magic that had been lost. In this age, the remaining magic has become precious and rare. It is revered and sought after by many, as its scarcity has only heightened its value. The age of limited magic is a reminder that power, even magical power, is not eternal or guaranteed. It is a reminder that we must cherish and protect the wonders of our world, for they are fragile and fleeting..
Reviews for "Witches, Warlocks, and Wizards: The Last of a Dying Breed"
1. Mark - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Age of Limited Magic". The plot was incredibly slow and dragged on for what felt like eternity. The characters were also poorly developed, lacking depth and relatability. The dialogue was uninspiring, and the writing style was dull and repetitive. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and felt no connection to any of the elements that make a story engaging. I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Age of Limited Magic" was a complete letdown. The author failed to deliver on the promise of a captivating fantasy world. The magic system was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected from the story. The pacing was off, with parts of the book dragging on while other crucial events were rushed through. Additionally, the main character was unlikable and lacked any growth or development throughout the story. I struggled to finish the book and was left feeling unsatisfied.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Age of Limited Magic", but sadly, it fell flat. The world-building was shallow, and the plot felt predictable and lacked originality. I found myself easily losing interest in the story and struggling to engage with the characters. It felt like the author was relying on tired clichés and tropes, making the book feel like a rehash of other fantasy novels. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who seek a truly immersive and unique fantasy experience.