Tristan: Teen on the Move

Age 14. Toronto, Ontario.

Q. How would you describe your life as a teenager with hemophilia?

A. My life as a teenager with hemophilia is generally a normal one. I am athletic, and my hemophilia doesn’t really prevent me from being active. Living with hemophilia for 12 years now, you learn to adapt to things you can do, and cannot do. And, because I know what’s safe, I don’t really think too much about my hemophilia when I’m playing or involved in sports. I do some activities with older kids, and some with my friends who are the same age as myself.

Q. How would you describe your life as a teenager with hemophilia?

A. My life as a teenager with hemophilia is generally a normal one. I am athletic, and my hemophilia doesn’t really prevent me from being active. Living with hemophilia for 12 years now, you learn to adapt to things you can do, and cannot do. And, because I know what’s safe, I don’t really think too much about my hemophilia when I’m playing or involved in sports. I do some activities with older kids, and some with my friends who are the same age as myself.

Q. You like to play tennis and baseball, and you also swim. What do you most enjoy about the sports you play?

A. The best thing I like about sports, aside from the sport itself, is being competitive with other individuals. Some of the sports I love to play the most are basketball, soccer, tennis, track & field, and baseball. I like these particular sports because they are team sports, and that means you have to work as a team in order to win.

Q. You are interested in becoming a student counsellor at camp. As a counsellor, what would you tell a new camper is the best thing about camp?

A. Yes, I am very interested in being a student counsellor (SC) at Camp Wanakita that I attend in the summer. I started going to camp when I was 7 years old and have only missed one summer due to a family vacation. I believe the best thing about camp is that there really are very few restrictions concerning camp things you can do. In addition, I would say there is not a feeling of being left out of cool activities/sports that you take part in like wall climbing, hiking, windsurfing, sailing, etc. We are in the bushes playing tag. The nurses are really great and really encourage you to get involved. Camp is where the nurses teach you to take charge of your life when it comes to infusing, for example.

Q. How would you encourage kids to go to camp, especially those that may be nervous about leaving their parents for a week for the first time?

A. The way I would encourage kids to think about going to camp for the first time is to hook up with another camper that has been to camp before. Second-time campers are going back because it was fun! After all, if you stop and think about it, if it wasn’t fun campers, like myself, wouldn’t want to go back.

You also get to be yourself. There is a code amongst all the campers, “What happens at camp, stays at camp!”

Q. You recently worked on a school project about hemophilia, and you presented the project to your class. Were you nervous about the presentation? How did your friends respond?

A. I was somewhat nervous about the presentation to the class about my hemophilia. I was nervous about the reaction of my peers and friends, but I received a very positive response from my class! In fact, after the presentation one of my friends came up to me and said, “if you aren’t ok, we’re here for you.” I have had it for 14 years now so I can handle it, but knowing they understand feels good.

Q. For other teens reading this story, can you describe how you became so active, participating in sports, camp, travelling, school, etc.?

I have learned which sports are high risk, like downhill skiing, and which are safe for me to take part in. I always want to try higher risk sports, of course, like downhill tubing, but sometimes it is just as much fun cheering my friends on. This is how I stayed involved, for example, when I went away on a school trip to Québec in January.