MOTIVATION MONDAYS
College is a challenge for all students who seek higher education, regardless of their medical situations. For families and individuals with bleeding disorders, the thought of college may be intimidating. Some patients or caretakers may benefit from hearing testimonials and personal accounts from students who have gone through the college experience, which is the primary objective of HemoTalk.
At the University of Miami, students have access not only to hospitals in a major city but also to the university's professional health system, U-Health. Miami's U-Health collaborates and treats its patients with superb medical care and has a designated hematology department. According to the hospital, "patients can participate in clinical trials and benefit from the latest discoveries that are fast-tracked from the laboratory to the bedside." Read more about why to choose U-Health HERE.
A student at the University of Miami with severe hemophilia A says that "Being part of The U has been so helpful because I have my doctor and treatment center right on campus... having my doctor in the U Health system has been great." He also stresses how easy receiving medical attention for his hemophilia is, as he injects himself with HEMLIBRA every other week. He says that his doctor, "...can order me test [unspecified] directly to the health center on campus and if I do need to go into the office it is just a short train ride away to the medical campus." U-Health does have a hemophilia center.
Aside from U-Health, the University of Miami offers many club sports like golf and swimming which this student says are great because they helped him keep his joints moving. A full list of club sports at the University of Miami can be found here. Keeping healthy joints is essential for living a normal life with a bleeding disorder, especially during college. He claims to be an "avid SCUBA diver," as he participates in dives and as a precaution "would infuse before dives." Still, when asked if hemophilia has impacted his college experience he said, "I have been lucky enough to live a very normal life and have few bleeds," and was able to get a single room his freshman year, for privacy when infusing. This student does leave students with bleeding disorders the tip of not letting it "...drag you down or become an impediment to completely enjoying and soaking in your college career. Make sure to keep up your treatment schedule it will allow you to succeed and have an unforgettable experience."
Another student that the University of Miami who suffers from Von Willebrand Disease was asked about their college experience and told HemoTalk that she never takes medication unless undergoing a certain procedure and the most VWD has impacted her college career is by her Humate medication taking up space in the refrigerator and avoiding Ibuprofen.
More can be learned about U-Health and the University of Miami here.
Note from the author - As a high school student who suffers from Hemophilia A and is currently going through the college process, I find it essential to research colleges that can provide great support for bleeding disorders and like to listen to those who have gone through what I will go through, (bleeding disorders and college). The purpose of this article is to support families and patients with bleeding disorders who are or soon will go through this very same process, and to provide comfort to them.
Comments