Epilepsy - ep·i·lep·sy ('ep-&-"lep-sE)
MedicAlert® Can Simply Protect You or Your Child’s Life – Because you can’t predict when a seizure will occur
James Hathaway, Jr
James Hathaway, Jr., 40, was planning to spend a long relaxing 4th of July weekend at his home in Leavenworth, KS when he had a severe grand mal epileptic seizure on the afternoon of July 1. Hathaway, who lives alone, did not recall what happened afterwards. The next thing he knew he woke up in the ICU at nearby Cushing Memorial Hospital.
“When I have a seizure coming, there’s this aura type of feeling – I get sick to my stomach and then I get scared,” Hathaway explained. “From that point on, I’m unconscious. I wear my MedicAlert® bracelet, so in case my family is not around and someone finds me and I can’t talk, my bracelet will be able to talk for me.”
That is exactly what happened to Hathaway in his latest episode, as none of his family members were present as he was admitted to the hospital. Hathaway was going in and out of consciousness and not able to think properly, so all he could do was get the nurse’s attention by pointing to his bracelet. The nurse, who needed a list of his medications, called MedicAlert and received a fax of Hathaway’s medical records within minutes. MedicAlert was then able to contact Hathaway’s mother who was aware that he was in the hospital, but did not know that he was admitted.
“My parents greatly appreciate it very much when my bracelet or card is activated, so they get a courtesy call from MedicAlert,” Hathaway said. “I used to work in the medical profession and I know the importance of easy access to information like this when it is available. I just wish that more people, especially hospital staff would use this bracelet to help them out.”
Hathaway, who used to work in geriatric care homes in Kansas, likes to spend a lot of his free time by walking around the neighborhood, swimming, and visiting friends at the local community center.
Hathaway, who was diagnosed with seizures in the 5th grade, first heard about MedicAlert after seeing a television commercial years ago and has been an advocate for it ever since. “I’m glad to be a member and in fact, I try very hard to promote you to people who I think really need your service,” Hathaway said. “My bracelet has saved my life before on past occasions, and I think the service you give is the best out there by far. Thank you so much!”
Miguel Ross
For Miguel Ross, 33, of Alhambra, CA, wearing a medical identification bracelet has been a part of his daily life since he was a child. Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 8, Ross recalls just being a regular school kid until one day he experienced his first seizure on the playground at his school. Ross was taken immediately to a local hospital, where later that day the doctor had diagnosed him with epilepsy.
Ross had to watch his activities from that moment on and suddenly cope with this disease. “It was hard at first,” Ross said. “I still wanted to be an active kid, but in the back of my head, I had this to worry about.”
Although he takes his medications daily, the deeply religious Ross, is used to the seizures, sometimes experiencing five to seven each month. “I’m getting used to falling down,” Ross said, “Occasionally I know a seizure is coming, but there’s nothing I can do about it. God has helped me through a lot and I put my trust in him.”
The latest incident for Ross occurred over the summer at a local shopping mall in August. “I was talking to a friend who works in a booth in the middle of the mall and suddenly I just blacked out,” Ross said. “My friend called the paramedics and they put an IV in me. They were talking to me, but I wasn’t coherent to reply.” His mother picked him up at the hospital later that evening and took him home.
“The paramedics saw my MedicAlert bracelet and they said it’s good I was wearing one, so I wouldn’t have been mistaken for being high on drugs,” Ross said. “I’m glad I wear one.”
His childhood doctor had recommended he wear an identification bracelet and he has done so for over 20 years. Ross, who currently wears a MedicAlert bracelet says, “If I’m out of it, at least my bracelet can tell somebody about my condition. I ride the bus a lot, and I hope other riders see my bracelet and call you for more information if I can’t speak.”
When asked about his opinion of wearing body-worn identification, Ross was very supportive and said he doesn’t care what people think or say. “It doesn’t bother me at all,” Ross said. “If it gets someone’s attention during an emergency, then it’s my benefit to wear it. Anyone with a medical condition should consider wearing one.”
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