WWYD: To Play or Not to Play. That is the Question

I'd like to introduce my first feature series called What Would You Do (WWYD). In this feature, I'll throw out a scenario and then let you weigh in with what you would do. Some topics will be fun, some more serious. But all will get you to think about life and its circumstances and maybe open your mind to a different point of view. Of course this is all hypothetical because we really don't know what we'd do unless we were actually in that situation.

So let's get it started. Here's the first WWYD...

In last night’s episode of Private Practice, a high school wrestler complaining of dizziness visited the practice with his parents to get medical clearance so he could wrestle in the conference finals. The pediatrician detected a slight heart murmur and referred him to a cardiac specialist for a more thorough examination. There was a lot at stake with this match. You see, this young man was counting on a Division 1 scholarship. He would be the first in his family to go to college. They anticipated that there would be lots of scouts in attendance at the big match to see him compete.

The cardiologist diagnosed the young man with a borderline case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes, according to an article published by the American Heart Association. He may never have a problem or he could die suddenly. But there was no way to be sure without further tests and monitoring over several months. The conference finals were in a few days. There was some discussion among the pediatrician and cardiologist on the level of risk and whether he should be allowed to wrestle.

What would you do? Think you’ve got it all figured out? Keep reading.

The pediatrician ultimately decided that it was too much of a risk and refused to sign the medical waiver. The family left, determined to find a way for the young man to get cleared and the young man's mother did just that. He wrestled in the match and won...then collapsed minutes later. The young man was left in a medically induced coma and it was uncertain whether he'd ever recover. The storyline ended with the mother, at her son’s beside, sharing a letter received that from UCLA offering him a full scholarship. As it turned out, UCLA had already made the offer before the wrestling finals.

Earlier this month, 16-year-old Wes Leonard died moments after playing in a high school basketball game. Leonard was a hero after making the game-winning shot in overtime. He began celebrating with his team and then collapsed. Leonard died from cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart. Then a little more than week later, high school junior Robert Garza collapsed during a timeout of an AAU basketball tournament game. The cause of Garza’s death has not yet been determined.

While it is unclear whether the families of these two young men were aware of their conditions, we do know that athletes are required to pass physicals before they’re allowed to compete. So it begs the question – how thorough are the physicals given to young athletes? And do we as parents push our children too far, thinking they have to perform no matter what the risks for a chance at a better future?

So tell me, do you agree with this mother's decision in the Private Practice episode or do you side with the pediatrician? What would you do if your child were in a similar situation?

Lots of questions here and there are no right answers. Weigh in and let me know your thoughts.