Home » Health & Wellness » Asthma » Spring Sports

Spring Sports

© Leigh G. Kirtley

The sun is finally starting to shine and the grass is turning green. That means that millions of kids are headed outside to join their local little league, soccer or lacrosse team. Of course, as parents, we all worry about the occasional injury. If your child has asthma, you’ve got a hundred more issues to worry about. What if they won’t let your child play? What if the coach treats him/her differently? What will teammates think? What happens if your child has an asthma attack in the middle of a game?

Unforunately, you may have to deal with any one or all of these issues in the course of a season. When my son was in little league baseball, the coach always put Matt way out in left field because of his asthma. The coach didn't want Matt missing a crucial play because of an asthma attack. I only learned of this years after he quit the game. Now, Matt has switched to lacrosse and this coach treats Matt like any other player.

The reaction of Matt's former baseball coach can be pretty typical. Remember Matt's attitude toward teachers and other adults? (Talking with Matt about Asthma, Feb 27, 2001).

"I get angry when people think lower of me or think I can’t do anything because of my asthma," he said. "It’s like racism. You’re telling people with asthma that they can’t do something just because they have asthma." It's a good bet that he was referring to that old coach.

Rather than getting angry in this type of situation, remember that the coach, and others, are reacting to their fear of asthma. People fear what they don't know. While that basic instinct can protect us in many situations, it can also leave our children feeling angry or hurt.

The best way to handle this situation is to anticipate it and plan ahead. Just like you have an asthma action plan for school, prepare one for spring sports. If your child's coaches and assistant coaches know what to expect and how to handle that inevitable asthma attack, they are less likely to limit your child's involvement. Besides, chances are you will be at every game anyway. What parent wants to miss watching their child having fun?

In addition, plan with your child and your coach on what they should do if your child needs an inhaler during a game. Should your child just leave the field? Or give the coach a signal? Get a procedure in place before the season starts.