Medic Alert Bracelets

[B&W'sMama]

As most of you know my DD was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I am noticing how hard it is to control what goes into the mouth of a 4 year old with friends! Every time we are with other children the parents are ALWAYS trying to give DD food. She was given some cheerios at baseball tonight....I understand the thought but seriously...this food makes my daughter really sick!!!!!!! This is when we're around...She is starting JK in September and I am REALLY worried about school and kids sharing...Also, they do a "warm lunch" once a week and if there's a supply teacher in or something I just want them to be aware...

So, my question is for those of you that have Medic Alert Bracelets for you LO's...Where did you get them? How did you know what to put on them? Does your LO keep it on?

Thanks,

[MrsSunshine]

I submitted a question to them on your behalf through my membership. i don't see why you couldn't attain a membership for your Dd. as long as your willing to pay the fee.. although your childs school may be on the 'no child without' list. you should contact your Dd's school and ask. they can provide you with a brochure and a #.. that will start your membership for free.

[B&W'sMama]

I have been doing a lot of searching through google and actually came across the “no child without“ program. I have emailed the school because unfortunately our school is not on the list : (

Let me know what their feed back is in response to your question. I really do appreciate it!

[AuntPetunia]

I just ordered these things for my son: Lovable Labels - Personalized Kids Labels | Sticker | Iron on | Shoe | Bag Tag | Great for Fundraising The STOP stickers say “STOP (DS) is allergic to latex“ and I plan on sticking them to everything, including the front door of our house. Can you get something like that and stick them to all of her school items? At the very least, you could list the basics (I think you can list 3 allergens) and that should make them question what they feed her.

I also got him one of the bracelets there (the middle ones) that let you put info in. It's not a *real* medic alert bracelet, but it has the symbol and allows you to put more information on the inside.

[mom to r and c]

I strongly recommend getting a medic alert bracelet for your daughter. In my opinion, it is worth the initial cost (if your daughters school is not part of the No Child Without Program). I think the plan is for all schools to be part of it by 2012.

My daughter with food allergies uses it as a way to explain what her allergies are when others are not aware. She has had her bracelet since before she turned 2. Although she still has had some accidental exposures to allergic foods, it has helped or at least caused the others around to ask for futher information prior to her being given food items. I have also worked really hard at special events (and outings) of reminding her that she is not to accept foods from anyone but me.

For younger children, I would suggest getting the stainless steel one from Medic Alert with the clasp (claw type clasp) that is difficult to open. The ones with straps that close using velcro and clips are cute but it is too easy for them to be removed by the child.

[mom to r and c]

With relation to the school, I think it is important to have an open discussion with them about her medical concerns (Celiac) and how you feel best to make sure your daughter feels safe and included.

With hot lunches, I would suggest to stay away from them and just send in 'special' foods in your child's lunch those days to make up for it. My daughter can't participate in special lunches due to the number of allergies she has to foods but overall handles it well. She knows how sick she becomes with the foods she can't have and that helps her understand why she can't eat 'pizza' etc.

[B&W'sMama]

Originally Posted by mom to r and c

She knows how sick she becomes with the foods she can't have and that helps her understand why she can't eat 'pizza' etc.

How old is your DD? My poor little girl cries when we tell her she can't have something...she gets soooo emotional. I feel bad for her..We DO offer alternatives but it's not the same : (

[mom to r and c]

She just turned 5.

There are times when it is harder than others. I try to put the blame on me if we are out somewhere and there is food and she is unable to have and there are no safe alternatives available.

I also try to carry something with me if I think there will be food as part of an activity/event. When she has attended birthday parties and other special events I always bring a range of foods for her. Often it is just the beverage provided that she can have.

In her play, it is quite interesting as she is always making pretend foods for others that she is unable to have in real life. I think it is a way for her to work through things in her own way.

I feel awful for her at times since there are no alternatives that are the 'same' as the typical kid foods. I have tried over time to purchase a variety of specialty foods or make them myself but she is more interested in what she is fond of and at times I think she feels safer too.

Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and Easter are always quite a challenge too since so many things are food based around these celebrations traditionally. In our house it has worked best for me to keep 'safe' things on hand and we swap what she has received when out back at home for what she would like from the 'safe' stash!

[Leigh]

B&W'smama,

we face the same difficulty. Esp now that Noah is getting older, and wanting more independence and control.

He has multiple food allergies (including having to maintain a gluten and yeast free diet), and it's difficult. We have explained to him since we discovered his allergies that certain things just make him sick. (he's only 2, so definately different, I know). We find alternatives, and I make alot of special stuff for him from scratch.

A&P has a selection of Gluten free baked goods that you just need to add eggs to or whatever, like brownies. Cake Walkers made him a gluten free/yeast free cake for his birthday this year, and we've gotten a lot of GF stuff from Arva Flour mills. There is also a webstore on the sick kids website (sorry, i dont know the link off the top of my head) and they sell items for ALL SORTS of allergies, including GF items.

Pizza Pizza also has Gluten Free pizza, and it only costs $2 more for the GF crust I think? Only comes in Medium though.
Please feel free to PM me. We've been dealing with this for about 1.5 years now. It's not easy, but it DOES get better.

[one ordinary girl]

Originally Posted by B&W'sMama

I have been doing a lot of searching through google and actually came across the “no child without“ program. I have emailed the school because unfortunately our school is not on the list : (

Let me know what their feed back is in response to your question. I really do appreciate it!

just talk to your principal of the school. Bring some info on the program with you as all it takes is one phone call from your principal to be on the list. i did this at our school. they'll then send out the forms with codes on them to get into the free program.

[one ordinary girl]

oh as for your other q's there are two kinds of braclets. My oldest has had one since she was about 4 she knows that under no certain terms is her medic alert to be removed ever! She has a life threatening nut allergy.

oh there is also a Student's First program by medic alert which is half of what the regular cost is. So if your school can't get involved with the program ask medic alert about that one.

[one ordinary girl]

Originally Posted by mom to r and c

For younger children, I would suggest getting the stainless steel one from Medic Alert with the clasp (claw type clasp) that is difficult to open. The ones with straps that close using velcro and clips are cute but it is too easy for them to be removed by the child.

these ones aren't made using velcro anymore. At least the one my dd has had for the last two years isn't it's got a clip that you have to do up.

[mom to r and c]

Originally Posted by one ordinary girl

these ones aren't made using velcro anymore. At least the one my dd has had for the last two years isn't it's got a clip that you have to do up.

That's good that they don't make the velcro anymore for the children.

I still don't trust my daughter not to take it off so we have stayed with the 'boring one' as she puts it.

We got a flyer from Medic Alert in the mail recently and she really is wanting one of the one's with the beads on it for dressing up! Maybe grandma will get one of those for her for Christmas.

[Upsidedownmuffin]

Hello,

My DD and I are both Celiac. She is only 8 months old so I've been having a hard time with this but differently. It's hard to find baby food that is for sure safe and I have been VERY UNIMPRESSED with Heinz who I have contacted twice now to ask them if they have any recommendations and both times no one got back to me. It's also difficult to leave her in the nursery at church because I find other children try to give her their cookies and such. I'm not sure about the medic alert bracelet though because I think a lot of people look at them only in emergency situations and not for every day food allergies unless there is an obvious reaction to something. These are kind of neat ALLERGY WRISTBANDS, ALLERGY ARMBANDS, ALLERGY BRACELETS, FOOD ALLERGY IDENTIFICATION, SEVERE FOOD ALLERGY I'm not sure what we're going to do for our daughter in the future. Also, Boston pizza now offers gluten free individual sized pizzas which are really very good! (much better than Pizza Pizza)

[MrsSunshine]

bumping as i've received an email to my request.. yes Celiac is a definite reason for needing a MA bracelet. many members have this and use one.