Butcher also found the HTC a willing ally in dealing with her son's wish to play football. He wanted to play for some time, and that's something I just can't let him do. He's very strong-willed, though, and knows how to break me down. The nurse coordinator advised me to say that I'm in charge of his safety right now and need to consider the long-term effects on his joints. That went a long way toward convincing him not to go out for that sport.
Many parents also turn to HTCs for aid when taking vacations.
That way, if they need care along the way, they'll know where to go. We talk to parents about how to deal with all the changes. A series of programs aimed at teens also has proved successful. One features adults with hemophilia discussing careers, while another is an adolescent mentoring project. Because of the relationships that develop between HTC team members and their patients, even the professionals can find the transition difficult when their young patients grow up.