Awareness bracelets

[dora21]

Hello all,

I am hoping someone can help me please?

If and when I do manage to go out, I get very worried & stressed that the way I now walk & sometimes talk, people will mistake me for a drunk and if I should fall or collapse no one will bother to help me...

Is there some kind of medical bracelet for TBI sufferers like you can get for diabetics to wear, that will make strangers aware of my problems, which in turn will help make me a little more confident in public situations. Many thanks for any replies.

[thepiercy]

Good idea! For about 8 months i carried a piece of paper at all times explaining what was up. I never had to use it but it helped my confidence to have it.

[clivekeen]

Hi if you go to headways support group or web page you can get a card explaining speech etc I have one I was given I have the same problem but I look ok no one believes me I have a problem Abi problem left me brain damage I tried to get bracelet but can't get one for Abi hope you get something sorted try this card fr headway like a business card size I have mine in my wallet regards clive

[Hidden]

Hi there I to have problem with my walking like yourself my partner got me a sos talisman its got paper inside where you can write your illness what medications you take and who to contact in case of emergeny have a look on e bay type in SOS talisman necklace

[aqua4]

Hi Dora21. I carry a Medipal card.web.medipal.org.uk. I found this by chance. You can choose what to put on it. It was set up by Chris Pinkerton,stroke survivor for exactly what you have said. I cannot describe what a difference it makes. It takes away some of the fear of no one knowing. Along with the Headway card I think everone should b given one of these when they leave hospital.Sorry cant explain more. K

[brighton88]

Headway did provide me with a credit card style card which states that this person has an Acquired Brain Injury and may show signs of slurred speech etc. I keep this in my wallet, on one occasion was refused entry into a club as I appeared drunk; could not walk in straight line etc, this card explained that I was not drunk and had an ABI and was admitted for fear of discrimination of a disabled person

[Hidden]

I HAVE WORN A MEDICAL BRACELET FOR YEARS.IT,S METAL LOOKS LIKE AN IDENTITY BRACELET & IT HAS ENGRAVED ON IT THAT I'VE HAD A BI & I'VE GOT EPILEPSY. ON THE BACK A CONTACT PERSON & PHONE NUMBER IS ENGRAVED. IT HAS A MEDICAL SYMBOL ON IT & A RED CROSS. THE ENGRAVING HASN'T DIMMED AT ALL DESPITE THE FACT IT'S BEEN BASHED ABOUT A LOT AS I ALWAYS WEAR IT.

I ACTUALLY ORDERED ON THE NET FROM THE US. THE ONLY ONE I COULD FIND HERE WAS A MEDIC ALERT BRACELET BUT IF I REMEMBER RIGHTLY YOU HAVE TO PAY A FEE FOR THEIR SERVICES. MONTHLY I THINK (CAN'T REALLY REMEMBER).

IT GIVES ME CONFIDENCE THAT IF I DO FALL OFF MY PERCH IN PUBLIC PEOPLE WILL SEE IT.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

IF I REMEMBER RIGHTLY MY BRACELET WAS ABOUT $20 INCLUDING ENGRAVING & POSTAGE FROM THE US. I HAVE REALLY SMALL WRISTS & IT WAS NO PROBLEM GETTING A SMALL ONE. DEFINITELY CHEAPER THAT MEDIC ALERT. IF ONLY I COULD REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE COMPANY I GOT IT FROM, I'D LIKE TO ORDER A SPARE.

[pamelafrance]

Theres a Medic Alert bracelet you can buy cheapest is about £20. You will have to pay a monthly or some such

fee though to the company while you are using their service. Hope this helps. Try on line at Medic Alert.

Good luck.

[Flumptious]

Good idea (and I see you have some good responses).

I think you need to be confident that you will explain, if necessary ("I am sorry, I'm not drunk, I have a serious brain injury..."

I have a card in my wallet: printed it out, then got it laminated: "In case of emergency" - I just have my photo, name, home phone number, husband's name and mobile number... I just think that, after my accident, what if it happened again? I insist the whole family carries these, now.

I am a really keen runner, and I have an ICE tag on my shoe-laces: In case of Emergency. There is a little company, who do them. It has I.C.E. on one side, and the other it has my name, home phone number, and husband's name and number.

[Stardrop]

Headway cards are really useful. I was returning alone from my daughter's by rail and I usually have the times and platforms written on my hand (with a sharpie so it doesn't rub off). This time one of the changes was Bristol, a big station with 10 minutes to get from one platform to another. My daughter showed my help card to the desk, and they let her go on the platform to assist me onto the train, and for a member of staff to meet me and escort me across BTM with my luggage. My train was a few minutes late and the onwards train was delayed and changed platforms so I was really pleased to have the help of a very nice man.

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi dora21,

Thank you for your question. If you get in touch with our helpline on 0808 800 2244 or [e-mail], they can discuss our 'brain injury survivor card' with you, and get one sent out if you think that'd help.

Best wishes,

Headway