When I was a child my momma signed me up with Medic Alert Canada with a life time membership. This is something they no longer do and my membership has been grandfathered. Which means it cannot be changed. I wore a sports bad medic alert bracelet as a child in elementary school. I do not remember what it said. I was also to young to understand the importance of a medic alert and how useful they can be.

When I started college to become a license practical nurse in 2009 I made the decision that it would probably be a good idea that I wear one again. I figured that with my history and medical issues that it would be my best interest. If anything every happened to me and I could not speak for myself or was badly hurt the first responders, paramedics and medical staff would know right away that I had PKU. Many people ask why me why? they say they are not going to feed me if I am passed out so why does it matter?

My answer to that is you never know what could happen to you or how others may respond. For myself I am so sensitive to my diet and eating that If I do not eat regularly I become very sick and can pass out. Like a diabetic almost. Diabetics who wear medic alerts people can read them if they are having symptoms and know what to avoid giving them and what not to due.

My bracelet also included my account code and a hot line number. Anyone can call that number and have my file pulled up with special instructions. I have spent a lot of time in the hospitals over the years, and many trips to the emergency. Though I have not been in a situation where I have needed it, It is comforting to know I have it if I need it. To me it is as important as if I was carrying an epi pen. It also included my allergy to codeine. ( a none PKU Allergy I discovered I had the hard way during a trip to emergency. )

I have not taken of my bracelet since I had first put it on. Almost 5 year. This past week it broke off my wrist and I lost it. This created a panic attack for me and I was desperate to have it. Luckily Cole found it under the couch and we where able to get it fixed. It looks like an o ring got caught on my wool blanket and broke off. The rings have become weak with wear.

My bracelet says :

PKU needs special diet

no Aspartame or Phenylalanine

Alleric : Codeine.

When I lost it and thought I was going to have to replace It I wanted to change the wording to be more detailed and include :

Phenylketonuria:

Allergic to phenylalanine and aspartame .

requires medical low protein diet and formula.

However I cannot afford to replace mine yet and am happy to have it back. Really made me think more about its importance, at-least to me . It is of course personal choice.