MedicAlert

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
Judy Board of Directors
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 8:17 am

MedicAlert

Post by Judy Board of Directors »

UBPN is pleased to announce that through a special grant from The MedicAlert Foundation that they are able to provide sponsored (free) memberships to all children under the age of 18 referred by UBPN. Adults will also be eligible if they have financial need. No documentation of need is necessary.

MedicAlert is able to provide this through the generosity of their membership and the wife of their founder, Mrs. Chrissie Collins, who in a special memorial established a fund in support of children with medical conditions, called The Chrissie Collins Children's Fund.

For complete information on this wonderful opportunity, see this page on our website.

http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/MedicAlert.html

I will be UBPN's liaision with MedicAlert and you can direct any questions you have on this program directly to me (judy@ubpn.org)

Judy Thornberry
UBPN Board of Directors
rachelcasa
Posts: 729
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:45 pm

Re: MedicAlert

Post by rachelcasa »

Judy
That is great. Is this the same gal who was on Dr. Phil the other day by any chance? I just happened to catch the end of it. How does an adult get a medic-alert pin/bracelet. Can you order one online?
User avatar
Tanya in NY
Posts: 935
Joined: Mon May 03, 2004 10:51 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am Mom to Amber, injured at birth. I serve on the Board of Directors for UBPN, and am a labor/delivery nurse, too.
Location: NY State
Contact:

Re: MedicAlert

Post by Tanya in NY »

What a wonderful idea and program.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 3 1/2 years old
Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 13 years old
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: MedicAlert

Post by Kath »

Judy
Will the Medical Alert for bpi cover all information on bpi ?
Do we have to inform the company of any/all of the following information for our tags?

(1) side of injury
(2) blood pressures from that arm might not be accurate
(3) that arm is more prone to fractures and dislocations and should be handled with care
(4) pressure on the upper chest or under the arm might cause further injury to the nerves of the brachial plexus.
(5) Horner's is important to put on the bracelet because in an emergency MDs may associate the larger pupil on the injured side with brain injury when there is none.

Not everyone has Horner's but for those of us who do I think it is important.

Kath ( adult/robpi)
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
User avatar
marieke
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008.
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Contact:

Re: MedicAlert

Post by marieke »

Hi, I have a medic alert bracelet and what they do is put basic info on the actual bracelet, then if there is more info to know (such as what you mentioned) you fill out the application form. On it it has your MD's name and #, meds you are on, and any other related info... Then they write CALL NOW with the phone number for MA and your file number, that is to let the medics/hospital know that there is more info and when they call the number (if you can't explain things) the operator pulls up your file and they are able to fill in the missing info.
Hope this helps some...
Marieke (LOBPI)
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
Judy-T
Posts: 557
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 11:59 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Right arm OBPI One surgery at age 40 Ulnar nerve retransposition
Location: Florida

Re: MedicAlert

Post by Judy-T »

Apologize for not replying sooner. Marieke answered your post real well. When you get the application there will be a place to put all your info.. all the things that you mentioned are important to put on the form. It will be placed in medicalerts data base to be used when needed.
User avatar
marieke
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008.
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Contact:

Re: MedicAlert

Post by marieke »

Oh yes, I forgot, they also give you a card to put in your wallet with the important info... on it has the additional info that doesn't fit on the bracelet itself, the stuff in their database along with the engraved message. LIke your doctor's names (if more than one MD), a contact pers., meds
marieke
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
Judy Board of Directors
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 8:17 am

Re: MedicAlert

Post by Judy Board of Directors »

Bump
Judy Board of Directors
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 8:17 am

Re: MedicAlert

Post by Judy Board of Directors »

Bump
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: MedicAlert

Post by Kath »

Just thought I should move this to the top of the page.
It is important for OBPI/TBPI children and adults to wear Medic Alerts should an emergency occur.

This is a great offer and thanks Judy for brings this to UBPN.

Kath (adult/robpi)
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
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