therower
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,922
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
@catapillar . A good , to the point tattoo. Like it.
Always feel we got a bit short changed with the official " blue circle " logo.
I'm a slow learner. For many years I didn't tell people I worked with that I take insulin. People in hospitals. Friends. I guess I was ashamed of it. The people who worked for me knew, and family of course. But a few times I'd start acting funny, getting low, and even passed out a few times. And people saw it and had noticed me acting oddly beforehand. And if they knew about my having diabetes they would have gotten me some juice. Most times I feel it coming on and correct. But sometimes I'd be busy and "fight through it" which is always a mistake. Then you get to what I call "the point of no return". Where your mind stops working logically and you don't seek sugar, then you go out, or wander around confused and people think you're drunk. One about 5 years ago I passed out at work and fell out of my chair in my office. Another doctor walked by and saw me lying there. His son's a Type 1 but he didn't know about me. I had a Medic Alert necklace on but of course he didn't see it. So I decided to get a bracelet that's easier for anyone to see, and I never take it off not even going through airport security (it won't set off the alarm, too small). I'm sure there are various types and styles for the fashion conscious, but mine has a little red logo on it that means it's medical. And engraved on the front it says: Type 1 Diabetic. And my name is on the back. Sometimes patients will see it and ask what it is. And I tell them I'm diabetic. Make sure you tell people what you have.
Assuming the patient is wearing long sleeves.When I did my first aid training (a long time ago) we were told to check for medical bracelets and neckless. I don't think rolling up a coat sleeve (for example) to check for a tattoo is something most first aiders will automatically do. (Clearly, a nurse would see it when checking for a pulse.)
That’s really nicely done, thanks for sharing. What does the second line mean?View attachment 25025
That's my tattoo. I reckon it's fairly difficult to miss, especially if someone was taking my pulse. My other tattoo is fairly well hidden on my wrists. But I guess if you've got a full sleeve of ink going on then you could consider something a bit more obviously medical, like the caduceus emblem. Or forehead is an option!
That’s really nicely done, thanks for sharing. What does the second line mean?
That’s fabulous! It is so hard not to feel defined by just a series of numbers and a knackered pancreas...It's: I (I) am greater than (>) the highs (/\) & (&) lows (\/). Just trying to make myself believe I'm more than just a number!
the importance of being labelled
I’m not sure I’d choose a diabetes tattoo having _really_ thought about it. All mine are to celebrate things I love. I have to think about diabetes enough of the time as it is - but I do totally get why people choose to have them. I’m always interested to see people’s ink, and love to hear the stories behind it. We all choose to deal with this bloody affliction in different ways. I’ve tried ignoring it, and nearly died twice. That didn’t work, obviously. I’m trying hard to take control now, been T1 for 20 years. The Libre has been a real turning point for me, even two DKAs weren’t enough to jolt me into action.I know that this is going to make me unpopular yet again, but this is just awful.
Tattoos? People want to permanently mark themselves with THIS? Of all things?
I know that this is going to make me unpopular yet again, but this is just awful.
Tattoos? People want to permanently mark themselves with THIS? Of all things?
She is old enough to know better, or at least enough life experience to listen, process the information and then adjust. A teenager you could understand, although that still does not make it right.erm whats mid forties got to do with it
I think the advice to wear a bracelet with a medical warning is probably the best bit of advice that a diabetic can be given and act upon. My bracelet has probably saved my life about ten times over the last 68 years that I have treated my type 1 diabetes. I originally had a metal/chrome Medic Alert bracelet in the 1970s. However, I found that with wear and tear the clasp frequently failed after wearing the bracelet for a year or so. I currently wear a Medical Alert rubber bracelet which has my name and sentence about my clinical condition printed on a white area upon the bracelet. I very strongly recommend that all diabetics should wear such a bracelet because it saves a great deal of time for an examining physician when one is admitted to A&E or even when first approached by a paramedic.
It's: I (I) am greater than (>) the highs (/\) & (&) lows (\/). Just trying to make myself believe I'm more than just a number!
But a police officer will take note if they see a bracelet saying someone has diabetes other then just assuming it due to they being out drinking....