Health Transition Tips from Andy Matthews

Your child's ability to obtain health insurance is an important part of becoming an independent adult. Start when they're young by giving them an early sense of life's possibilities.

Not everyone approaches living with hemophilia as I do. You see, I view it as a great gift I've received. My blind friend, Blake, taught me that I can overcome any challenge. There are things harder to face in life than hemophilia. This attitude shift changed my life. I believe it can change the lives of others, too, through a foundation to a great attitude. And it's attitude - even more than aptitude - that determines your altitude in life.

I wish I'd learned the lesson earlier though, when I could have made better decisions about the path I was taking into adult life. So today I'm happy to share my insights with young people who have hemophilia as well as with their parents, who can make a huge difference in the direction their child takes.

Here are some tips:

1. Parents can set-up a child for a life of doing well by instilling the idea of college when they're young and impressionable. I believe college leads to better paying jobs and more options for obtaining employer-sponsored health insurance.
2. There is a myth out there about Medicaid. Many people don't know that at 21 years of age you might no longer be eligible for Medicaid unless you are declared a disabled adult. Hemophilia in and of itself is not a disability.
3. The road to good health insurance is through big employers, many of whom place a college-education at the top of their list of employee qualifications.
4. Applying for hemophilia scholarship money is a terrific way to make college affordable. Laurie Kelley maintains a list of scholarships for people with hemophilia along with links to application information.
5. Self-esteem can take a hit when you have hemophilia and have to deal with things like life in middle school. This can negatively affect your outlook and your career aspirations.
6. Parents can help by keeping kids focused on their strengths and staying involved in their child's education and career path.
7. You need a marketable skill! Technical schools can be a better path for students who are not cut out for college or just don't want to go. The point is to have specific education or training that sets you up for better employment.
8. The world of insurance is changing and insurance companies are moving into the business of hemophilia management. It's all like learning a foreign language - once you know what the language means, you can handle it.
9. Need more information? LivingBeyondHemophilia was created especially for people with hemophilia who are searching for resources and practical information needed in today's world. Whether you are a student who will be moving to a new town for college or someone looking for your first job, this site is for you!

Andy Matthews developed his motivational speaking approach over 17 years of working in the home health care business. He holds a B.A. degree in marketing from the Stephen F. Austin State University of Texas, where he learned through self-awareness that changing his outlook on life would lead to better success. Andy lives in Dallas with his wife, Patti, and their son, Keeton.