Re: Soccer or no soccer?

March 28, 2005

I would say let him play. Unless the dr has said specifically that he

cannot, your son should be encouraged to do whatever he feels he can. He

may have some tough days at times (my son did during baseball and

volleyball) but he could do fine too. Good luck and enjoy watching him!

Michele ( 17, pauci & spondy)

Soccer or no soccer?

Hello everyone. My 6 year old has arthritis and is really looking

forward to playing soccer this spring. I have noticed he has a hard

time keeping up with other children when running (this makes him

upset) and when he has flare ups it can last for weeks. What should I

do? Sign him up and hope for the best or just try to talk him out of

it? His sister plays soccer too and last year he saw alot of his

friends on the field which really made it hard. I have tried to

persuade him to try another sport but he is determined that soccer is

what he wants to do. Anyone with suggestions? - Dee in Canada

March 28, 2005

I think if you get a good coach who understands, your child will

enjoy. At 6 they don't really play positions, just sort of run after

the ball so your right, there will be lots of running. But, as they

get older maybe your child could play a position that requires less

running like defender or goalie.

Best of luck

(Christian 13 systemic)

>

> Hello everyone. My 6 year old has arthritis and is really looking

> forward to playing soccer this spring. I have noticed he has a hard

> time keeping up with other children when running (this makes him

> upset) and when he has flare ups it can last for weeks. What should

I

> do? Sign him up and hope for the best or just try to talk him out of

> it? His sister plays soccer too and last year he saw alot of his

> friends on the field which really made it hard. I have tried to

> persuade him to try another sport but he is determined that soccer is

> what he wants to do. Anyone with suggestions? - Dee in Canada

March 28, 2005

Hi Dee,

I don't know the cost involved in sports for your area. For us it

is relatively cheap. Just a $10 sign up fee which includes the

t-shirt. So I have let Aundrea sign up for soccer, softball and

basketball. She was able to play nearly all of her softball games,

with minimal difficulty other than lots of bruising due to her

inablility to catching a ball. (Definately, not her best sport, but

she had fun anyway!) She missed a few soccer games, mostly due to

doctor appointments. She flared terribly during basketball season and

was only able to go to one practice.

I try to encourage her in activities that are good for her joints like

swimming, biking etc..but I also let her try anything but realize she

may not be able to fully participate.

I always let Aundrea's coaches know about her condition and encourage

Aundrea to let them know when she needs to sit out for a break. This

has worked out pretty well for us.

I hope it all works out for your son.--

(Aundrea 9 systemic)

- In , " Dee " <lil_dee_101@y...> wrote:

>

> Hello everyone. My 6 year old has arthritis and is really looking

> forward to playing soccer this spring. I have noticed he has a hard

> time keeping up with other children when running (this makes him

> upset) and when he has flare ups it can last for weeks. What should

I

> do? Sign him up and hope for the best or just try to talk him out

of

> it? His sister plays soccer too and last year he saw alot of his

> friends on the field which really made it hard. I have tried to

> persuade him to try another sport but he is determined that soccer

is

> what he wants to do. Anyone with suggestions? - Dee in Canada

March 28, 2005

Dee,

We have the same turn out with our 12 year old too, he is not as fast as the

other kids and he does notice but we have told him why and he seems to

understand and accept it. We talked to the coach each year and have very good

luck and he plays defender where he doesn't have to do as much running.

Good luck, let him play.

Missy and Tyler(spondy 12)

Soccer or no soccer?

>

> Hello everyone. My 6 year old has arthritis and is really looking

> forward to playing soccer this spring. I have noticed he has a

> hard

> time keeping up with other children when running (this makes him

> upset) and when he has flare ups it can last for weeks. What

> should I

> do? Sign him up and hope for the best or just try to talk him out

> of

> it? His sister plays soccer too and last year he saw alot of his

> friends on the field which really made it hard. I have tried to

> persuade him to try another sport but he is determined that soccer

> is

> what he wants to do. Anyone with suggestions? - Dee in Canada

>

March 28, 2005

LET THEM DO WHAT THEY CAN DO...IF THEY CANT PLAY THE WHOLE GAME THATS OK

TOO...I ALWAYS HAD VERY UNDERSTANDING COACHES FOR MY SON ...THE MAIN THING IS

HAVE HIM DO SOME STRETCHING BEFORE PRACTICES AND GAMES THAT SEEMS TO HELP MY SON

A LITTLE I DO NOT KNOW WHERE HIS PAIN IS BUT STRETCHING THE CALVES REALLY

SEEMS TO HELP...THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST TAUGHT MY SON THE BEST STRETCHING

EXERCISES FOR HIM..AND THEY GAVE HIM SHOE INSERTS TO HELP FOR SUPPORT AND

CUSHIONING..MY SON IS VERY ACTIVE IN SPORTS HE HAS DECIDED THAT SOMETIMES THE

PAIN IS

WORTH IT TO HIM...DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS BEST, BUT I SUGGEST YOU NOT TRY TO

CONVIENCE HIM TO NOT DO SOCCER YOU DO NOT WANT HIM TO FEEL HE CAN NOT DO ANY

SPORTS....MY SON LOVES TAEKWONDO AND I WE CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH IT HAD

HELPED HIM HIS DOCTORS ARE AMAZED AND SO ARE HIS INSTRUCTORS HIS PAIN LEVEL HAS

DECREASED AND HIS FLEXABILITY IS MUCH BETTER..MY SON CAN TAKE NO NSAIDS BECAUSE

OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION SO EXERCISE IS THE ONLY WAY FOR HIM TO RELIEVE HIS

PAIN.

March 28, 2005

Dee.

Hello. My daughter was diagnosed at the age of 5 with Poly JRA. when she was

6 she wanted to play soccer (indoor) and i was a bit hesistant but i decided

to let her try and yes she was the same as your child. got upset when she

couldn't stay with the rest of them.. well she played for the season and

then again the following year and actually she was the one who was ahead of

all the other's. they were behind here chaseing the ball.. she is 10 now and

you would not realize how bad she had it before. she loved to play and still

does.. she doesn't play the outdoor soccer due to our unpredictable weather

out here in PA and while she was on the high doses of meds i was always

afraid of her getting really sick. (which she did from time to time) she

does indoor soccer and cheerleading now and loves it. her Dr. said let her

do what ever she wants she'll know her limit and let you know. which is the

truth.. i think it has helped her so much she no longer goes to physical

therapy and hasn't for 2 years now.. she just had a rhummy appt 2 weeks ago

and at that time they reduced her meds yet again.. she is currently on folic

acid daily and methotrexate (1 pill now) every friday.. i am still hopeing

that she will outgrow this but time will tell.. good luck to you... kellie &

jessiac 10 yr poly

March 28, 2005

Dee,

Sighn him up for soccer and let him give it all he's got.At 6 and I have a

6yr old diagnosed at 2 you shouldn't have to worry about being the fastest

runner or anything.It should all be about fun.While I type this I am hearing my

own

words.

My son is 6 and was diagnosed at almost 3.Been great for a while but can't

throw or catch worth a darn.He swings and misses ALOT but when he makes contact

watch out.He is starting coach pitch baseball and has no buisness being in

this league.It's for 7 and 8yr old and long after the season is over he will

still be 6.Cut off date for 7 is July 31 he turns 7 July 24.

also wanted to play soccer real bad but by the time I found out about

it,it was to late,he also wants to play football,which he could do but not in

his best interest.He could be a world class gymnist for no fear what so

ever.Mentioned that one to the rheumy and the reply was " NO WAY " fun gymnastics

yes,competitive no.Natural gift and talent and all.

It's realy a hard decision to make but I believe with warm up stretching

exercises and keeping the coaches informed and educated it's possible.Much time

will be spent on the bench buts thats life for many healthy children.A life

lesson learned about being part of a team.A hard lesson but neccesary.It's not

always about being the star on the field but the overall character of the child

developing team spirit.

My hero is Carney and he would say join the team,support the team and

be the best team player you can be,even if it's rooting from the

sidelines.When you do get to play do the best you can and no matter what be

proud of

yourself for trying and giving it your all.Little Robbie is a great ball player

and

a great hero to all.

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!! and enjoy it good or bad.

Hugs

Becki and 6 systemic

March 29, 2005

I second that. Sign him up. These kids will limit themselves if needed.

Caroline currently participates in gymnastics and swimming. She doesn't

always make it to gymnastics, but when we can make it she just loves it. We