Jayden's golf story
Wed 21 Sep 2016
Jayden is the recipient of a Go For It Grant to assist him with his study at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. He was awarded a sports scholarship for golf to study and play on the college team. Jayden also has severe haemophilia and is on prophylaxis 3 times a week. He talks about his preparations to go to the USA to take up his scholarship with Hannah Opeskin at HFA.
An avid golfer, Jayden began playing when he was 13 years old and has been awarded a sports scholarship for his golf to study at West Virginia University Institute of Technology and play for the college golf team.
“I started playing in 2010, in competitions and it just progressed from there. I just really enjoyed it and stuck at it, then just lowered my handicap down…”
Jayden explains that he plays competition once a week and practices most weeknights. He also reveals that he’s been fortunate that his haemophilia hasn’t impacted on his golf.
“My haemophilia hasn’t affected me in a way that I couldn’t keep playing. Yeah I’ve been very lucky that my haemophilia hasn’t caused any troubles at all”.
Jayden heard about the Go For It Grant when visiting the Alfred Hospital in Victoria at an orientation day. Upon explaining that he had been offered a scholarship to go to the USA, the Haemophilia Treatment Centre staff proposed that he apply for the Go For It Grant to help him with his flights and college fees in West Virginia.
Jayden reveals the degree is a 4 year Aerospace engineering course, and he explains he has always been interested in planes and flying.
“I wanted to be an engineer before I got the offer to go overseas and I still wanted to do something in aviation”
The major consideration for moving to the USA is about obtaining treatment, Jayden explains. Jayden spoke to the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Alfred Hospital about the best course of action. Jayden had to apply to the National Blood Authority (NBA) in order to receive 12 month’s supply of treatment to bring with him to the USA. Jayden clarifies that for the rest of his time abroad he may have to go through a private health insurance company in the USA to obtain treatment. He was assisted by the Alfred Hospital who helped him contact the NBA to complete the necessary forms to get the amount of treatment needed. He discovered that he needed his airline ticket and letter of acceptance to the university as supporting documents for his treatment application. Until he had both these items, his application was on hold for a short amount of time. His advice to others is to:
“…get those things together as soon as possible so that you can get your application moved through as quick as possible so you don’t have to worry about treatment.”
From receiving his letter of acceptance, filling out the forms for the NBA and receiving all the necessary documents and treatment for him to be able to travel, it has taken many months. The key to this Jayden explains is being organised and plan ahead as much as you can.
“Take every opportunity and get everything organised as quickly as possible and as efficiently as you can. Yeah just try and make it happen – if you’re suffering with a blood condition – it doesn’t mean that you can’t do the things you want to do.”
Jayden was a recipient of an HFA Go For It Grant which is sponsored by Pfizer. Keep your eye on Factored In for the next announcement of the HFA Go For It Grants.