So I'm not a teen anymore, but I sort of just graduated out of my pull-ups and still can wear the hat!
This is written off the top of my head, and is likely to expand- but just to clear things up, this guide is for ANY student who has someone in their life affected with dystonia.
Tip #1
Don't screw with meds- for the person with dystonia, I know it's soooo tempting to just take a day off from the yucky side effects- but it's a REALLY bad idea.
for the person without dystonia- keep in mind that sometimes the meds can make your friend, sibling, or parent really emotional or tired or hyper. "Don't screw with meds" also means to choose your battles wisely, be forgiving, and maybe put aside arguments for later.
Tip #2
You're not alone- if you ever need to talk to somebody, go to an online support community like American Dystonia Society's Ning and let someone there know that you need support. You can call a dystonia organization and get support that way, or connect with Facebook.
If you need to call someone right away, there's always the Hope Line: 1-800-394-HOPE and it's the best hotline ever, they're really supportive and help especially during those lonely times at night.
Tip #3
Dystonia is just a bump in the road- you're still a normal teen, even if dystonia affects your family. You're still going to have to worry about grades, SAT exams, graduating, getting a job, and SO much more- just like everyone else! Find support through your regular daily activities, get on a sports team or a club and be busy. The friends you make through those activities will get to know you for who you are, without your or your family member's dystonia, and will be so supportive in the most natural way of being a friend.
Because among other things, I've been sick, and it would really suck if I was out and about somewhere without my wallet ID and an emergency occurred.
What would suck worse is if it happened while I was out surfing at the beach or biking the back roads downtown, where about 80% of the people are strangers from out of town.
So, I went to every single medical ID store you could ever find online and I'm posting my top 5 Medical/Safety ID's for extreme sport enthusiasts. (No metal bracelets here!!!)
This ID rocks because it's completely waterproof, it never falls apart, it doesn't "stand out", and there is no personalization or expensive engraving required!
Why??
The company uses an online system to update your ID information instead of having you buy another wristband when your medical information changes. On your wristband there is a unique number already permanently printed onto the bracelet, along with an 800 toll free number and a Medical Alert symbol. You never have to change your wristband- you only have to log onto your online account to change the information!
Paramedics will recognize the alert symbol on the wristband and will call that 800 number with your personal ID number, and the phone system will give them your Emergency information.
What's the catch?
There is no catch. The wristband is $10, comes in a variety of sizes and colors, and comes with one free year of online service. After that it only costs $5 to renew every year!
That's $25 less than all other popular online medical ID services available!
The wristband is great for surfing, for school, showering, shopping, schlepping, and stretching. It looks like every other rubber wristband on the market, meaning it's discreet and people won't know that you're actually wearing a medical ID. It's also verycomfortable!
It's perfect for surfer safety, functioning as a regular ID for the unfortunate mishaps in the surf, and for other sports as well.
Similar concept as the Xtreme Sports ID- without the annual phone line charge. Instead, ERmedicalID offers unlimited access of a web database with all of your emergency information- for FREE!
These wristbands come debossed with your last name, primary medical condition/medication, and your member number. On the inside of the bracelet is a website address where your member number can be used to give an ER access to all of the medical information that you list on your profile. It's an extremely secure system, and you get keep the same member number forever.
This wristband is the same concept as the two other silicone bracelet companies, except these are completely customizable to your liking. Colors, font, symbols, and the information are all listed according to how you want it.
Mediband also provides a large number of pre-made wristbands for conditions such as Epilepsy, Diabetes, Asthma, and Food Allergies. Every wristband comes in multiple sizes to ensure a good fit.
I have personally used one of the pretty "write-on" Medibands and it's discreet enough to wear even with nice clothes- unfortunately the Sharpie marker does rub off a bit and needs to be retouched every month.
4. Vital ID- Medical Alert Bracelet $15 USD The popular, waterproof, sportband I.D.
This is the "original" non-engraved, waterproof medical ID. The wristband functions much like an extra-long watch band that wraps around your wrist and sticks to itself. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes- and accommodates for children, teens and adults.
There are no personally identifying marks on the outside of the wristband, but it is clearly marked as an emergency ID. The personal information exists inside of the wristband, on a skinny little waterproof card that you write on with a Sharpie permanent marker. There is a place for your name, medical conditions and allergy information, doctor and family phone numbers, and your medications. If your information ever changes, you simply throw the old card away and write on a new one (each wristband comes with two). Additional replacement cards are available online from the manufacturer and from other online retailers.
This wristband works great with wetsuits- you can attach it to your wrist, much like a surfboard leash does to your ankle, and it stays snug the entire time.
Though this wristband is waterproof (and so is the paper card insert), it's not the most comfortable thing to wear against your skin when wet. If you've ever had a fabric "sports" watchband, you'll know what I'm talking about. It gets wet, and it stays wet- becoming funky and itchy and gross on the inside if you don't take it off to dry.
Other than that single grievance, this wristband remains to stay a favorite among Medical ID wearers and is going to be around for a long time.
If you want something inexpensive, that you can wear in the ocean, and can change the info as needed with no online subscriptions- then this is the wristband for you!
The only drawback to using this ID is that it is not a bracelet, but a personalized bag tag that you can clip to your clothing or anything you carry. This means that it isn't necessarily on you at all times, especially if you do a water sport like surfing.
This tag is great for bikers, snowboarders, skaters, joggers, and BMX because it can be clipped to any of your sports clothing or equipment bags. Because of its high durability and waterproof factor, it'll be sure to last you a long time. It has the added bonus of fitting inside a wallet for when you don't want to wear it.
6. Sport ID (Vital ID) - Helmet Sticker The reflective, sticker, helmet I.D. http://vitalid.ca
I had to include this one because it's so dang useful. You can stick this baby to ANYTHING! Skateboards, cell phones, water bottles, snowboard helmets, iPods, even on a prescription bottle (if you carry one with you).
Granted- it isn't suitable for water sports, but it is waterproof enough for things like rain, sweat, and random lawn sprinklers. It won't get in the way of your activity at all, and is reflective enough to be noticed in an emergency. It's unique in that it uses the same ID system as the Vital ID bracelets, except the information strip is inserted inside of the helmet sticker- not a wristband.
To learn what kind of information you should put on your ID, visit StickyJ:
All of the websites below have a free online form that you can fill out with your medical information and print for your wallet- these are easy to update and a quick temporary solution that anyone can use!
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