A My Journey Vaulting Over Hemophilia A
This article was originally published in our Summer 2024 Bleeding Times Magazine. See the entire magazine by clicking here.
Article Author: Aaron Bell
As a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, I’ve faced challenges that many of my teammates and peers couldn’t imagine: I have hemophilia A. But that hasn’t stopped me from pursuing my passion for pole vaulting.
Pole vaulting isn’t just a sport to me; it’s a way of life. The precision, the technique—it’s all-consuming. But it can also be dangerous, especially for someone with a bleeding disorder. Every practice, every meet, carries the risk of injury. That’s why I train rigorously and take extra precautions. Building muscle memory is crucial, but so is knowing that if I get hurt, I’ll need infusions to heal.
After competing for the past three years, I have faced both the triumphs and the setbacks. I hold the Sleepy Hollow indoor pole vault school record, but I’m eagerly awaiting my chance to claim the outdoor record. The venues change with the seasons—indoors at the Armory in New York City, outdoors at neighboring high schools—but my determination remains the same.
Despite the risks, I refuse to live in fear. I understand the implications of my condition, but I won’t let it dictate my life. I’ve shared my journey with my friends, and they understand the seriousness of it all. They know why I may have to skip a practice or rush to the hospital. Their support means everything to me.
What empowers me most is knowing that hemophilia hasn’t stopped me from pursuing my dreams. It’s a constant reminder that I can overcome any obstacle I face. And right now, my sights are set on achieving the outdoor school record and competing at the state or even national level.
But my journey doesn’t end here. I’ve been accepted to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where I’ll major in Finance. Beyond that, I plan to pursue either an MBA or an MFA in graduate school. My ultimate goal? To work in venture capital or investment banking, where I can continue to push boundaries and defy expectations.
My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. Hemophilia may be a part of my story, but it doesn’t define me.
