To play or not to play? For kids with bleeding disorders, that
is the question—at camp, at school, at home, anywhere. Most
sports and other physical activities have some level of risk.
The severity and type of bleeding disorder vary, so what may be
unsafe for one person might be a perfect match for another.
(However, contact sports, such as football and hockey, are not
recommended for people with bleeding disorders.) There’s no one-
size-fits-all answer. However, there is a new workbook that will
help you make an informed decision. My Game Plan is a five-page
booklet with questions that help kids—and adults—evaluate their
physical abilities and any limitations placed on them by their
hemophilia or other bleeding disorder. For example, it asks you
to list your problem joints and to note any pain you may have.
Then, you are asked to describe the benefits and risks of the
activity you want to play. “Rather than telling you what sports
are safe and what aren’t, it’s a tool that will help guide a
discussion,” says