Life Stories
We're proud of the work we do. But more than our work, we're proud of our courageous customers, our friends. We're encouraged to hear stories about how our medical IDs have comforted and, even, rescued so many. Read the testimonies of our friends. We believe they'll touch and inspire you too. Have your own story you'd like to share? Visit our Tell Us Your Story page. Adelia H. Eastover, South Carolina I was diagnosed with congestive Heart Failure in Early 2009, I was only 20 years of age. I've been told that I only had a day left to live, if I didn't get help fast. Over the past two and a half years, I've been in and out of the hospital. I've also had a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) placed. This device controlled my heart in order for it to keep pumping. I've even had gastric bypass to lose weight in order to be a candidate for a heart-transplant. On September 7, 2012, I received a heart-transplant. I am now a 24-year old woman with a new heart and have been doing well ever since. Having this medical ID bracelet will allow people to know of my condition as well as save my life. Kelli D. McKinney, Texas I have had 6 brain surgeries; the first one in 1973. Not until a mistake by the last Doctor did I have any problems. I am now still healing from the last procedure on April 1, 2009. At this time I have a spot on my brain (from the bleed in 2009) that presents a potential for seizures. I had my first, and hopefully last, seizure in September of 2011. I am thankful that I was not home alone, but because of the possibility of another seizure, I purchased a medical ID with the necessary medical information listed on it. I do feel safe now and know that if I am ever alone and need assistance in a medical emergency, my ID will possibly save my life. Nancy P. Spring Hill, Florida I have severe life threatening allergies along with other medical conditions - one being my heart. I have had 4 heart catherizations in the past year. Even though I carry a medical alert on paper with medications and medical history, I feel so secure knowing that I have this medical bracelet on. It gives me confidence that in an emergency, all the information is at hand. Thank you for the opportunity to share. Joshua L. - Part II Richmond, Virgina Joshua is now a happy 8 year old boy. He loves to play with his older brothers and listen to music. Cardiology visits are still very important to him because he only has half of a heart. Joshua L. - Part I Richmond, Virgina Joshua Lemacks looks a lot like your average 7 1/2 year old boy, but his life has been far from average. Joshua was born in 2003 with a severe congenital heart defect (that he refers to as "half-a heart" ) where his left ventricle did not form properly.

Angela P. San Antonio, Texas Our mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 3 or 4 years ago. In the beginning she was ok to be left alone, but over the last 6 months she has wandered off a few times.

Gill. Georgia We had just adopted our little girl, Carlie, who was 4 years old and has medical issues. She takes daily medications and we were advised by her pediatrician to get a bracelet from American Medical ID once our adoption was complete.

Rhonda B. Walton, Indiana I am allergic to IV Contrast Iodine and I am also a heart patient at the ripe age of 43. I was told by my doctors that one more injection of Contrast Iodine could kill me.

Jennifer B. Middletown, Ohio Growing up, I would never let my mother tend to my cuts and scrapes with iodine because it burned and caused my injuries to swell far worse than alcohol. I would take the alcohol and not flinch and my family just thought I was a weird kid.

Lorien V. Brewster, New York I was 19 and it was my first real job. My schedule was from 12-8 in a NYC hair salon working as a stylist's assistant, usually never finishing up before 9 o'clock.

Jeri B. Lake Worth, Florida My husband Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 3 years ago. When he was unable to stay at home alone during the day anymore, I had to stop working and we moved in with my son at his home in Palm Beach, FL.

Michael S. South Chicago Heights Just by seeing the necklace they knew exactly what to do. They knew not to give my girlfriend any Demerol or penicillin and they knew exactly what kind of insulin.

Sheila R .Southwest Terre Haute, Indiana Though my son kept telling his teacher he was allergic and couldn't eat all the Food Pyramid food samples, she thought he was being a picky eater. His medical ID convinced her and saved him a trip to the hospital.

Marva C .Vallejo, California I was pretty dazed in the ambulance, but I was still able to point the EMT to my bracelet. When she read it, she said, 'You are a very smart woman to wear this'.

Robin S.Temple, Texas I was just about to run out of some critical medication for my very rare heart disease. Thanks to my ID and Online Medical Registry, I was able to get all the information to continue my meds on schedule.

Laura S. Round Rock, Texas Our beautiful mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 7 years ago. My dad is her primary care giver and up until now, he was never worried that would wander out of the house.

Congratulations to our 2010 Life Story Contest winners!

First Place:

Ashley B.
I have 12 year old boys with Type I diabetes. They are typical, active boys and when they were diagnosed I worried that they would have an incident related to their diabetes and no one would realize they were diabetic since they're healthy looking boys.

Second Place:

Siobhan C.
In 2003, at the age of 22, I was diagnosed with a very rare bleeding disorder. I had a nosebleed that would not stop for over 5 hours. Who knew that I would have a life altering diagnosis so quickly, and so late in life?!

Third Place:

Lori S.
I have a 21 year old son who has had epilepsy since he was two and a half and we had always used Medi-Alert. In addition, he has an extensive medical history that needed to be documented.

Our 2009 Winners

First Place:

The Gill Family Cleveland, GA
We had just adopted our little girl, Carlie, who was 4 years old and has medical issues. She takes daily medications and we were advised by her pediatrician to get a bracelet from American Medical ID once our adoption was complete.

Second Place:

Rhonda B.
I am allergic to IV Contrast Iodine and I am also a heart patient at the ripe age of 43. I was told by my doctors that one more injection of Contrast Iodine could kill me.

Third Place:

Jeri B. Lake Worth, FL
My husband Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 3 years ago. When he was unable to stay at home alone during the day anymore, I had to stop working and we moved in with my son at his home in Palm Beach, FL.

More Life Stories:

Michael-James R. Irving, Tx
My name is Michael-James Russo and a little over a year ago I started having allergic reactions to different medical products. I also learned I had a latex allergy which caused me to pass out.

Traci P.
My youngest son Mason had a traumatic entry to life. He had undiagnosed PUVS (Posterior Uretheral Valve Syndrome) which is a valve blockage in the utereo of the uterer to the bladder and kidney.

Anna H.
Jade was almost 2 years old when we found out she suffers from severe allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts, along with a few other food allergies. Our allergist suggested we get an ID bracelet for her.

C. Marr
I purchased my ID bracelet AFTER I had a serious motorcycle wreck. On August 3, 2007, I was on my way to work riding my motorcycle. I was only 0.6 miles from home when a dog came after my bike. He died, I didn't.

Denice K.
My daughter, Wendy has been in special classes her entire life due to developmental delays and learning disabilities. She is now 28 years old and lives in an apartment on her own.

Jennifer B. Middletown, OH
Growing up, I would never let my mother tend to my cuts and scrapes with iodine because it burned and caused my injuries to swell far worse than alcohol. I would take the alcohol and not flinch and my family just thought I was a weird kid. No one realized I was actually allergic to the iodine.

Jennifer M. J. Winfield, KS
My 12 year old son only had his medical ID necklace for a short time before disaster struck. He went unresponsive on me in the car so I rushed him to the nearest hospital in our town.

Laura M.
Because of diabetes I see my doctor every 3 months for blood work to check my blood sugar, blood pressure, proteins, lipids, the whole gamut. Upon leaving the office one day I became aware of my blood sugar running a bit low.

Lorien V. Brewster, NY
I was 19 and it was my first real job. My schedule was from 12-8 in a NYC hair salon working as a stylist's assistant, usually never finishing up before 9 o'clock.

Shannon M. Hope For The Warriors
When I purchased and American Medical ID bracelet for my husband after he was wounded in Iraq in 2004, I knew it could save his life, but never thought it would.
Learn more about Hope For The Warriors™

Debbie D. Bourbonnais, IL
My daughter was diagnosed with Lupus two years ago and I can't tell you how much I love the kids sportband. She thinks the sportband is really cool.

Judith B. Cincinatti Ohio
I have several medical conditions and take certain medications that EMT and ER personnel need to know about in an emergency situation before any treatment can be given. However, I never thought I would need a medical ID to speak for me.
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Linda B. Streamwood, Illinois
When EMTs responded to my car accident, instantly finding our American Medical ID bracelets, they learned my son and I have asthma and immediately checked our oxygen saturation levels.

Laurence C., M.D. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
During a graduate class lecture, I had a grand-mal seizure. My American Medical ID pendant communicated all the ER doctor needed to know to treat me quickly and effectively. As a physician, I really stress that patients take the initiative to obtain a medical ID.