My boss was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She's been told she should always wear some type of medical ID but she can't stand those bracelets because she doesn't really want everyone knowing about her condition when she's in business meetings. And the bracelets conflict with business and dress attire.

Does anynoe have any suggestions?

Two thoughts on this: One, she could get one of the more expensive medical bracelets that actually look like fine jewelry. Two, she can get the necklace instead. The necklace is on a long chain that can be hidden under your clothes, but medical personnel are supposedly trained to look for it.

Either way, she should also make sure that she gets a wallet card as well, and be sure the wallet card is right in front of her driver's license, as medical personnel would also look for means of ID.

As for others knowing about her condition, it may be wisest to let some people at work know, just in case she experiences a low, and also teach them how to help in that circumstance (get juice, sugar, etc.). There are ways to let others know your diabetic without making a big deal about it...it's just one more interesting fact about oneself, like the color of one's hair, one's height, etc. It doesn't in any way change WHO she is!

[This message has been edited by SamQKitty (edited 10-04-2003).]

Hi
I have one of the bracelets that are made of gold. 22 Kt, It is a very expensive one but the other gold ones would always corrode on my wrist. So I bought this one. It has lasted me 12 years now and is still stylish and going strong.
As far as being against a dress code or anything like that it simply is illegal to state any rule against any medical condition. So if it is a fashion statement that you do not like that is a different point. But you cannot be told to not wear medical ID's. Again the special ordered bracelet is very smart looking and lasts forever.

I too have diabetes I wear the necklace and tuck it on the inside of my blouse where it is not visible and if she were to encounter any health situation and was unable to speak for herself the necklace is there on a chain visible.

She's been told she should always wear some type of medical ID but she can't stand those bracelets because she doesn't really want everyone knowing about her condition when she's in business meetings. And the bracelets conflict with business and dress attire.

She has a form of diabetes which must be monitored and treated often; I fail to understand why the need for secrecy. She might be surprised to find out how many of her business colleagues have health issues. Sometimes the bracelet or necklace can be a conversation-starter. There are fine jewelry forms of MedicAlert ID now which can be worn on their own or incorporated into other jewelry.

I got my introduction early as to the deadly consequences of undiagnosed diabetes from friends who, fortunately for me, were very open about their disease. I am forever grateful to them and continue to test myself monthly when I test my elderly mother for her maintainance of Type 2.

Someone who's opinion she values should sit down and have a private talk about this subject. Her life could depend on it. BTW, my mom hated the bracelet when I first got it for her (diabetes and dementia), but I told her it was a condition of her being able to live independently. Not a word since.

Best wishes!

Pat

Thank You to everyone who responded. The one she likes the best are the small Lifetags at http://store.yahoo.com/lifetag-alert/index.html

She can discreetly put them on her current watch with-out buying or wearing new jewelry. They also have some nice designer jewelry.

Thanks again!