I talk a lot. It’s one of my better qualities for working at a daycare. But with everything I do–having an active job, running around at work and in class, going to school where very few people know me, working out, and everything else that comes with just living your life, not everybody knows your life story. And i’ve taken CPR enough times and know enough EMTs to know that in an emergency, knowing your story can make a huge difference.
Especially when you can’t talk.
For that reason, I’ve worn a medical ID bracelet of sorts since my asthma moved beyond two inhalers. Simply, it stated my name, asthma, organ donor and an emergency contact phone number. Which in reality is all that is necessary in an emergency anyway. I haven’t ever gotten to that point yet, and I very much hope and pray I never do. But asthma is a strange disease, and you just never know.
Here’s where the dumb part came in. All too frequently when I’m out, nobody is at the contact phone number on my bracelet. And if they were, I have doubts either of my parents would be able to share the names of the medications I’m on–I don’t blame them at all. Some days I forget. And sometimes, they’re away from home for a week or two at a time, rendering contacting anybody useless until I’m able to tell people what’s up. No bueno if I happen to get sick. So after pondering this realization for two out of four weeks in July as I ran amok at work with my parents out at Lake No Man’s Land with barely any phone service, I realized the too-frequent semi-uselessness of my ID bracelet.
In August, I made the move to MedicAlert. My bracelets give the hotline phone number, my member number and read ASTHMA, ORGAN DONOR. My file advises medical personnel of my medications and my retinopathy. If anything happens, MedicAlert will notify my family, and I can update the contact numbers on my file as-necessary. Whether I’m around home, or around the world, regardless of whether where I am speaks English or not, MedicAlert covers the details in translation, I’m protected. Probably over-protected. It’s like why people buy insurance, they hope to never, ever need it, but they have it just in case.
I got my first plain ol’ “designer” stainless steel bracelet a couple weeks ago, right before I went to Chicago — perfect timing.
Yesterday, my sport bands [or sportybands as Natasha and I have been calling them!] came. The other is just plain black.
So, maybe I’m over protected, but at least whatever and whereer life takes me . . . I’m ready.
Oooh. Pretty purple! 🙂
(I still don’t want one of these, even tho every post I read sends waves of guilt washing over me.)
I love the purple one. It’s also much less intrusive than the chain one because it doesn’t move around obnoxiously ;). I have to send the black one back to exchange it for a smaller one, it’s too big.
Ya, I get that, we they’re important, but I also understand the aversion to them, too. I haven’t got any questions on the MedicAlert one yet, but my other bracelet I got a few — it’s annoying when that happens, but I always just kinda have to take a deep breath and think of it as an opportunity to advocate. And you know I like advocacy! :]
Don’t the cloth-ish ones get icky after a while? You advocate you… Remind me again why advocacy is good?
You can wash the cloth ones in the washing machine or whatever :].
As for advocacy, it’s way good. It makes people ask less sincere-but-annoying questions when you’re sick, and makes people understand asthma more. For everybody’s sake. Also if people know how asthma affects us in different ways, they’re more likely to contribute to helping us when the time arises–through education efforts, donating to asthma related charities/organizations and generally just thinking smarter (like wouldn’t it be nice for people to think about not smoking in doorways or not spraying perfume in bathrooms or locker rooms? That’s a score in my book.
Plus if in the process I can bring up organ donation and make somebody think about it, then epic.
Um… Kay. What about advocacy for penicillin allergy awareness? That would be the main point if I had such a bracelet. Perhaps.
Hey, if it’s something you’re passionate about… The main point is to keep you safe in an emergency though.
I just bought a medical ID bracelet a couple of days ago and started to wear it. I decided to get one when my older sister moved out, and I realised that my new roomate, although she knows I am asthmatic and has seen my meds, probably would not be able to give any information should the need arise. That being said, I whos usually not shy about my asthma am suddenly super self concious about the bracelet. I dont wear it in front of my cousins or sister, and have gotten a couple of stares when I do wear it from people. I am interested in your opinion, did I do the right thing getting an ID bracelet? I am always afraid my family will think I’m over reacting.
Hey!! Long time no talk :]
I’m also self-conscious about my bracelet [long-sleeve weather is helpful as nobody sees it unless I push my sleeves up or am working out!]. I don’t get very many questions about mine, and once I deal with telling somebody the story once they usually get it and then don’t question it anymore. That said, I DO notice people looking at mine, and it drives me crazy, but in the same moment I realize that if I can use it as a form of advocacy, or to connect with someone, it makes it a little better. When I’m wearing my stainless bracelet instead of my sportsband, I’m continually playing with it to make sure the emblem is on the inside part of my wrist.
I know you’ve already purchased the bracelet, but if you’re really self-conscious about it, I think there are some really discreet necklaces out there that you could try out. My issue with when I had a dog tag was that I always just hid it under my shirt, which may not have been the smartest. 😉
I hope that helps some. If you want to talk more, you know how to reach me! :]
Thanks Kerri 🙂 I apreciate your advice. I think I will look into getting a necklase.
Yeah we haven’t talked in a while, I blame school and studying:p
Hope your doing great.
Take care
Same to you! Keep in touch! :]