Henry, aged 9

How I like to be active

I like swimming and riding around on my bike – sometimes on my own and sometimes with my family. I’ve represented my school at a dodgeball tournament, and I’ve had to explain haemophilia to my teachers.

At the beginning of the year I normally have a little chat with them. We talk about what I can and can’t do – that sort of thing. I feel a lot better when people around me know about it.

It makes me feel a bit annoyed sometimes, because my best friend plays rugby, and he says it’s really fun, but I can’t do it because it’s too much of a contact sport.

How sport helps me

When I do activity, it makes me feel like I’m building up strength in my legs, because for so many years I’ve had bleeds in my legs and ankles.

Swimming is really good, because if I’ve injured my ankle or something doing another thing, it might hurt when I move. But when I’m in the pool I can move it because the water makes it feel a lot better.

I’ve got a lot stronger and a lot faster since I’ve been doing these activities and exercising more. I feel like I can do more things.

My message to other boys with haemophilia

I would say ‘don’t worry’ to someone else with haemophilia. Because you can do a lot of sport. You may not be able to do one or two things, but you can do all the rest.

Another activity I’d really recommend is fencing for anyone who’s nine or over. No one would think of someone with haemophilia doing fencing, but I’ve really enjoyed it.