I’m a sucker for pretty, shiny things. If you’d asked me half-a-dozen years ago, before my diagnosis, if that could include medical IDs, I’d have probably laughed in your face. But today, alas, a medical ID bracelet is a permanent fixture on my left wrist.
I started out in 2003 with a very simple, silver-beaded version from LifeJewelry, and then later upgraded to a sparklier version with crystal beads from Beadin’ Beagle. A few years after that, I was fortunate to be offered a Tiffany’s-style sliver-link armband with heart charm from HAH Originals, which I continue to love, but does sometimes feel a bit too “dangly” and gets in the way when I’m typing, cooking, testing glucose, etc.
This summer at the Children with Diabetes (CWD) Conference, I happened by the expo booth from Lauren’s Hope, well-known for their vast collection of “some of the cutest Medical ID bracelets out there.” I couldn’t agree more. My feet would not continue past their booth until I had poked and prodded and tried on 8 or 10 different bracelets. I could have bought everything at that darn table! At some point, I knew I wasn’t going to move on unless I allowed myself to “indulge,” but could simply not make up my mind which design to choose.
Full disclosure: the kind folks at Lauren’s Hope did offer me a discount. But I still spent over $100 on 3 (yes, you read right, THREE) different bracelet designs. The idea is that you purchase a single ID plate engraved with your medical info, and then a variety of different “bracelet strands” can be worn with it, as they all are adorned with clasps at each end … “so that you can choose the medical alert bracelet to match your outfit.” They SO had me at that line.
Although for me it’s often even more about my mood than my outfit per se. When I’m feeling “sporty,” I often don this model:
“Elegant” days get this:
And this “flower power” version is my go-to essential. It’s what originally “called me over” to their booth in the first place:
When my new collection initially arrived in the mail, I have to admit I was a tad disappointed. The ID tag seemed awfully big for my “mini-mouse” wrist, yet I was told they come in one size only. My gosh, what about kids? I thought. Wouldn’t these face plates be gi-normous for them? I emailed my contact at the company, and this is what she wrote back:
“Our theory behind the size is based on keeping our clients protected. Unfortunately, some patients have multiple conditions, allergies, etc. that would need to be known if an emergency situation occurred. The tag we have designed can accommodate up 5 lines of engraving with 20 characters per line, giving ample room for a large amount of readable information. I wish that we did have a smaller size to offer you. If it helps, I have noticed over time that my medical ID tag is really quite comfortable (and I’m pretty tiny like you) and I don’t even realize I have a medical bracelet on.”
Thankfully, she was right about adjusting to the larger plate size. The bracelets are certainly comfortable, although aesthetically I’d still prefer if the plate were a tad smaller. I love the interchangeability though! The only real design flaw to my mind is that these models are nearly impossible to get on yourself. Because the tag plate is so large, the clasp can only click onto it when held at a backward angle. I found myself nearly standing on my head most mornings trying to get the darn thing clasped. So now it’s become a family ritual that somebody helps me clip my ID bracelet on over their cereal every morning.
More proof that you have to suffer to be beautiful? Perhaps. But I want to thank Lauren’s Hope for helping us “Chronic Babes” to feel beautiful even as we suffer our various illnesses.
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Editor’s Note: It seems that the Lauren’s Hope blog runs a Friday Free Stuff campaign — all you have to do is subscribe to their blog and leave a comment each week for a chance to win. And no, I was not specifically asked to “plug” this company in any way. I just happen to be a fan.
I am a big fan of their bracelets for my T1 8 year old gal. I wanted her to wear a medical ID when she was dx’d 2 years ago and not some metal clunky thing. I almost cried when I found Lauren’s Hope. My gal wants to wear the bracelets she has and she too, interchanges them. I LOVE the size of the ID plate – it gets noticed and that’s exactly what I want in a medical ID. Stylish and noticed by those around her, so that they can help her if needed.
It doesn’t cost much to take a very basic beading class at either a local beading store or someplace like Michael’s or Joann’s. You only need to know the very basics to be able to make a bracelet band. Then you can make interchangeable bands for every occasion. There are also several web sites with different choices of ID alerts, so you can get smaller medical tags for the bands you can make. I did this and now have a drawer full of bands, and it’s great. When you see new beads, you just buy a few and make another band.
I love the “elegant” looking one!
Well, a girl (or a boy), can’t have too much jewerly. I’ve got about a dozen diferent medic alerts. Important to match the wardrobe.
Well, I wonder if such medical jewellery is really necessary, because we don’t have any in my country (Switzerland). I was never offered any by any of my medical staff and have never seen anyone wear one. I see th point in wearing it though, but I’d still be annoyed if I had to. What’s more, if you’re generally surrounded who know your condition, I’d say it’s pretty safe not to wear a medical bracelet.
In answer to Marie,I’ve had diabetes for 38 years and only donned a medical alert bracelet this year. Why? Because I travel a lot now by myself and if I’m alone going low no one will know. Once at the airport leaving Maine I felt I was low and tested and was 39. A few more minutes and a bit lower and I wouldn’t have been able to help myself. That said, no matter how pretty the jewelry, I don’t enjoy always having this bracelet wrapped around my wrist. Not for what it means but merely for the weight of it.
This is great. My 3 year old with T1 has a birthday coming up and this would fit with her “princess” motif.
The ultimate goal of diabetes therapy is to prevent micro- and macrovascular complications in order to improve life expectancy and quality of life. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and United KingdomProspective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) studies demonstrated that lowering glycaemia (measured as HbA1c) leads to less microvascular complications in type 1 as well as type 2 diabetes.
Hi there, this is great, bracelets are a pleasant way to raise awareness to serious diseases. I enjoy raising the awareness of Breast Cancer through the use of Breast Cancer Bracelets – and my favorite is the beautiful Silver Breast Cancer Bracelet – Michelle
I am a LADA – going on 3 years now…. I have tried several medical IDs — pretty ones made by my neighbor T1 — BUT… I keep breaking them! I keep the bracelet on all the time – shower, sleeping etc…. and after several weeks – broken….. arghhh…. anyone have any suggestions of where to get pretty but strong?? I don’t do anything unusually harsh — just get caught on clothing when coming on or off etc…..
Thanks!!!
I have yet to find a medical ID bracelet that I want to wear, but the hunt continues. I know that they are important, but the generic ones from that flyer that’s in every doctor’s office won’t cut it, and most of the more interesting ones are all geared for women. I’ve even searched through etsy (which has some good stuff, but not for me). The one thing I do wear is a silver plate with my info, attached to the band of the watch I wear when I go surfing, so at least out in the water I’m properly identified.