LindsayWhen I was a little girl, I had an identification bracelet. It had a rectangular stainless steel plaque that featured my name and address supported on both sides by a chunky chain of stainless steel. In retrospect, it was quite ugly, but for some reason back then ID bracelets were all the rage, and I desperately wanted to fit in.
I admit I’ve always been fashionably-challenged, and jewelry is no exception. Yet even I know ID bracelets are not the epitome of exquisite fashion. So, I put off getting a medical ID bracelet for longer than I should. I knew I needed one, especially as the sufferer of a condition that causes dizziness, lightheadedness and the occasional blackout, but the thought of wearing an ugly piece of jewelry that screams “hey look at me, I’m sick” wasn’t very appealing.
However, after discussing the matter with a few fellow dysautonomiacs, I realized the ID bracelet industry has changed over the past decade or two. Gone are the mono-style chunky bracelets – today there is a plethora of choices! Different styles, different colors, different metals (or no metal at all!) allow patients to find something that matches their personality or personal style. Below are a few examples shared by my friends:
After seeing all the different styles of bracelets available, I became a little less turned off by the idea. The first bracelet I purchased was beautiful polished silver, very similar the bottom bracelet featured above. It’s entirely too pretty to be a medical alert bracelet, which is part of the reason I like it. It’s classy and looks great when I’m dressed up. However, it looks a little out of place when I’m casually dressed.
As I mentioned in a prior post, I have recently begun making bracelets, primarily using beads, leather, and hemp. It’s just a hobby, and I’m still an amateur, at best, but I started to think I might be able to fashion a medical ID bracelet that could be designed exactly as I want.
First, I bought a plaque and had my medical information engraved. Here it is:
I ordered that plaque from Sticky Jewelry. They have a number of different colors and designs, both in plaques and also full bracelets. If you’re in the market for an ID bracelet, check them out. On the front side, I had my most prominent conditions engraved. The back side just says “See wallet card for allergies and meds.” Then, in my wallet I have….you guessed it, a card with my allergies and medications. It also lists my doctor’s phone number and emergency contacts.
Now that I have the plaque, I can attach any bracelet using two clasps on each end. This allows me to create a variety of different bracelets so I have a variety of colors and styles. Wearing a bracelet that reflects my personal style and taste helps me forget that I have to wear a medical bracelet. It doesn’t scream “medical ID”, but does contain important information should I find myself in a situation where I’m unable to communicate that information.
If you suffer from a chronic illness, you may want to consider getting a medical ID bracelet. If you’re not sure you need one, talk to your doctor. Fortunately I have not been in a situation yet where I had to use mine, but it does help ease those “what if I pass out?” fears when going to public places. If you do decide to get one, choose something you really like. It’s an important piece of jewelry that you may need for the rest of your life, so pick out something beautiful.
What information should your medical ID include? That’s up to you. Some of my chronically ill friends include their name and their condition on the front, and the phone number of an emergency contact (such as a parent or significant other) on the back. Others use a wallet card, like I do, to include more information. My wallet card came free with my plaque order from Sticky Jewelry. I include all medications I’m taking, as well as their dosage, and any other important information related to my condition, such as the fact that IV fluids are often helpful if I’m symptomatic. If you have a rare condition (or common condition that is rarely known, such as POTS), you may also want to keep a brief description of the condition with your wallet card. If you are uncertain, ask your doctor what information you should include.
For those of you that wear medical ID bracelets, please feel free to share where you got yours and what information it includes!
“Perhaps it’s impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game
Stay tuned.
– L
I have a medic-alert bracelet. Anyone can call at anytime the toll free number and get a total print out of my allergies, my doctors, etc. The back of my bracelet reads: Asthma, Allergic Latex, Drug, Food and Chemical Allergies. I have hated the bracelet for years. I discovered recently that medic-alert offers beaded medic-alert bracelets. I immediately phoned a friend who makes the most incredible jewelry pieces. She is going to work on several different bracelets that I can interchange with my gold plaque. I am considering purchasing a stainless plague as well to allow for more choices.
If I have to wear this, I want it to look like a piece of jewelry too! Good for you and thank you for bringing this up. I think I have another topic for my blog.
having a toll free number to call to get a print out of all info is a great idea. glad to hear you have a friend helping you make a bracelet – that way it will have special meaning to you!
Thanks for the reminder that I should get another, more fashionable one to wear. Last yr I bought one with the USB chip in it. I thought it would be better since as we know a large majority of Dr’s have never heard of “Dysautonomia” , much less how to treat it. I had all of my info in it & kept it updated when my medications changed. I was home alone and came very close to fainting in the shower, even bumping my head, so I called 911. That was a huge mistake, they treated me as though I was crazy or something. I tried to explain to the paramedics what my condition was, & asked them to look at the info in my ID bracelet. Every single paramedic, Dr, nurse that I came in contact with that night refused to use that vital info about me. I was discharged without even receiving as much as IV fluids (which was all I was asking for) Since then, I’ve rarely worn in & kept info in my phone.
I’m going to start looking for one that I’m comfortable wearing all the time, one that isn’t all clunky & looks huge on my wrist. Thanks for the link to yours Linds.
ugh, awful. your description of what happened after calling 911 is too common with this condition. medical professionals need to be better educated – how frustrating to call for help and be treated as you’re crazy! hope you find a bracelet you like 🙂
I hope you don’t mind but I borrowed the title of this post. I have included a link to your blog.
oh, great, thank you! no, I don’t mind at all!
Great post and a timely reminder to update mine! I love this idea of making it fashionable.
thanks! it definitely makes me a little more excited about having to wear it.
I’ve just ordered mine new one: http://www.medicalert.org.au/Products/Bracelet/Swarovski/Sterling_Silver_Spectrum_Blue_Crystal_Bracelet___Standard_Emblem
But I’m going to have to go to Spotlight haberdashery and buy beads and wire because this is not for everyday wear. It’s just so fancy, I will be excited about wearing it.
wow, that’s beautiful! it looks way too fancy to be a medical alert bracelet! glad you found a nice one!
Until I get my ID bracelet, I just keep a piece of paper with all of my contact info, doctor info, list of medical illnesses, and a list of medications in detail. Lol I’m a bit lazy.
Love the quote from ender’s game. 🙂 I have a medical ID necklace that just looks like a dogtag, and all it says is “penicillin allergy.” I suppose there’s no real need for one that explains endo. When I pass out, it’s from pain, and now that I’ve taken myself out of athletic teams and events, I don’t ever get to the point of passing out anymore. I hardly wear my penicillin allergy one even though I know I should, just in case. It just seems so unlikely that I’ll need it! I love these cute ones though, maybe if it were cuter I’d wear it more.
i have to admit, i don’t always wear mine either. if i’m going somewhere with the BF, i’ll usually leave it at home. he’s been with me since day 1 of my illness, he knows what meds i’m on and where i keep my info card, so sometimes i let him serve as my “medical ID”.
I am nervous to not have mine. Maybe because I am allergic to too many drugs for even me to remember them all now.
sounds like it’s a good idea for you to always wear yours. glad your friend is helping you to create a bracelet you’ll be excited to always have to wear!
Your post inspired me to research medical ID apps – and I’m happy to say I found one I really like! It’s called ICE-123 and when you press the button, phone numbers for my husband, parents, and doctor pop up, along with a medical ID card with my name, picture, illnesses, and allergies. It’s pretty cool, and it’s great peace of mind, because while I may not always wear my necklace, I ALWAYS have my phone.
fantastic idea! i’m going to look into that app, too – sounds like it can hold lots of info! thanks for sharing!
I think we are going to see some amazing new bracelet designs on this page in the future. Out with the ugly and in with the pretty.
What good is a medical bracelett for dysautonomia if the majority of the world has never heard of the disorder? lol
Is having a medical bracelett really reccommended?
that’s a good question! i have other conditions besides dysautonomia, so in that sense it is helpful for me. i don’t blackout often, but when i do, i don’t want people to assume its epilepsy or something else and try to give me medication i don’t need and which might make me feel worse. the bracelet alerts people that there is something wrong with me, and that they can find out more about it (if they don’t know about dysautonomia) by looking in my wallet.
medical ID bracelets may not be for everyone, and i’m sure there are chronically ill patients who prefer not to wear one. it’s a personal choice.
It is a personal choice. If the bracelet helps you when you are not able to speak for yourself, it might just be worth it. I don’t like wearing mine but I do. For that reason, I am doing what Lindsay is doing and making mine look more like a pretty bracelet in hopes of feeling less self-conscious about it and my illness.
Since I bought my new bracelet, i feel so much safer when leaving home. Thank you (again) for posting.
PS: I’m so glad I know what dysautonomia is! I’m sure I’ll meet someone one day, and be able to say: “Yeh, I know what that is.” And make them feel totally at ease.
Oh, here’s my post: http://the-labyrinth.com/2012/12/15/medicalert-and-mcs/ Isn’t it pretty?
Beautiful bracelet!! I’ve found wearing mine also makes me feel more comfortable leaving home. I wear mine everytime I leave the house, unless I’m going somewhere with the bf, who probably knows my medical info by heart. I’ve also found that having a bracelet I actually like, instead of a chunky, ugly monotone steel monstrosity, makes me less embarrassed to wear it. Having a beautiful bracelet, like yours, can also provide a great opportunity to raise awareness when people ask about your gorgeous jewelry!
I am still waiting for the bracelet to be made to make mine look prettier. My friend has been incredibly busy. I think my project is next in line. : )
Great! I hope you’ll share it with us when you receive it!