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Back to School Tips for Parents and Students

Medical ID Jewelery: "Safe" fashion is always in style

Who should wear medical IDs?
People who have medical conditions, medication or food allergies, special needs, implants (pacemaker, VNS, etc.), or require medical information to be known in emergency situations are strongly encouraged to wear medical ID.

Why should you wear one?
Medical IDs can help save lives. By alerting others about your medical conditions, allergies, and any other special needs, they can be crucial in helping to save time, and ensuring proper medical care for people that may be unable to communicate with health professionals in emergency situations.

Emergency responders are trained to look for medical ID or anything that can provide critical information in times of need. Every person is different, with unique needs in regards to medical care. Wearing medical ID is an excellent way in ensuring your individual needs are recognized and cared for adequately. Imagine how much time could be lost on determining the nature of a patient's condition, when urgent help could have been given. Misdiagnosis is equally as dangerous. With epilepsy, seizures can sometimes be mistaken for drunkenness, drug intoxication, fainting, or sleep and mental health disorders; a medical ID can help avoid confusion. 

With the proper information, emergency care providers will know how to assess the situation and decide on further care. This is important for people living with epilepsy, as having a seizure does not always mean emergency hospital care is required, so an ID could eliminate unnecessary trips to the hospital.        

What information should be included?
Any medical information that you feel is important for others to know in an emergency situation should be included on your medical ID. Several lines of engraving are usually available.

Including your name on your ID is a matter of personal preference; some people choose to include both first and last name, some only their first, others simply leave it out.  The same goes for medications, as dosages and types of medication can change.

What types of medical ID are available?
Nowadays, medical IDs are not just bracelets and necklaces. There are many options available such as anklets, watches, stickers, temporary tattoos, waterproof sport bands with removable paper, and shoe lace and back pack tags. Some styles allow information to be concealed or enclosed under a clasp.  

They can be made out of a variety of materials such as: stainless steel, gold, sterling silver, leather, beads, crystal, Velcro, etc.  With so many fashionable options, it would not be uncommon to overlook some medical IDs as nothing more than nice pieces of jewelery.  Some people prefer to use a silver or gold coloured bracelet because this is the traditional format.

Below are some examples of medical ID that are available: 

Sterling silver oval-shaped links woven together in an open pattern with a surgical stainless steel medical heart tag. Includes four lines of free custom engraving on the back.

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N-Style ID
Black Leather Knot with Wave ID
$34.95
The Black Leather Knot leather medical bracelet is the perfect choice for casual men's wear. This bracelet is interchangeable with other bracelets from this site.

Laurens Hope
Dutchess Medical ID Bracelet
$49.95
This bracelet features beautiful Swarovski Pearls in pink and grey combined with sterling silver bali beads. The medical ID tag is interchangeable with other bracelet styles.

Sticky Jewelry
Medical ID Watch with Black Strap
$12.95
This medical ID watch features a red medical symbol and See Other Side pre-printed on the face. It is made of polyurethane and stainless steel and is water resistant. The back of the watch can be engraved.

Vital ID 
Medical ID bracelet
$14.95
An ID card is kept securely and discreetly inside this medical alert bracelet. This medical alert bracelet allows the wearer to quickly and easily update their information should they update their emergency contacts or modify their medical information. It is 100% waterproof. These are available in seven different colours and three different sizes.

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Fiddledee IDs
Charm - Small Harlequin
$30
This necklace charm features a medical symbol on the front and your personal information on the back. It measures 1" x 1". It is handmade and features glass with soldered edges. Included in each purchase is a 24" ball chain stainless steel necklace or you may upgrade to black leather.

Creative Medical ID
Mini Alert Charms
$8.00
A great addition to an existing medical id bracelet, especially with medical tags that are more discreet. These delicate sterling silver or gold filled mini charms are approx. 3/8".

For more information on medical ID and safety devices, please read our information sheet: Health and Safety Devices for People with Epilepsy.

BC Epilepsy Scholarship Winners Announced

The BC Epilepsy Society is proud to announce that we have awarded eight scholarships worth $1000 each to individuals living with epilepsy throughout the province.

The winners will be entering or continuing their post-secondary studies in a range of fields. This includes visual arts, science, music, pharmacology, theatre, nursing, and child and youth care.

Here’s what some of them had to say about their experiences living with epilepsy along with their ideas for raising epilepsy awareness:

“Everyone needs to address and recognize that epilepsy is a normal thing and more common then they realize.”

“The impact of epilepsy on my life was something I had to respect, I had to learn its parameters and determine a new focus. It was then that I began to explore music. Music became my martial arts, it became my passion and the strength that carried me through my high school years. Music continues to help support me enhance my life experience. It was epilepsy that brought me to music, and that is why I intend to give back to the epilepsy community in the form of awareness through my art.”

 “I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy at 16 years, which resulted in development of strong character. In fact, one of the reasons I chose my field was to support children, youth, and families challenged by adversity. Over the years, I have learned to cope and maintain good health. I recognize the value of life and the need to take care. I have developed a strong sense of self and preserve to achieve my full potential. I have had to accept things I cannot do and believe in myself when I can succeed. I also recognize when I am not doing well physically and change what I am doing in order to get better.”

An individual going into pharmacology research writes, “As a result of my epilepsy and my continued struggles with medication I wanted to contribute back in some way and hopefully make a difference in the field of epilepsy.”

“I had a very tough time making it through middle school and high school for a few reasons. For instance, I was hospitalized multiple times, which made it hard to keep up with my school work., “Secondly, I had to face rumors and humiliation at school, which had a huge impact on my self-esteem These were the two biggest barriers I had to face, and I still have to work extra hard these days to overcome them”

 “Being diagnosed in my 30s with epilepsy was a shock to me as well as my family, friends and coworkers. I was surprised how difficult it was for me to overcome the challenges and fears of having to live with epilepsy for the rest of my life.” “When I was finally able to begin accepting my diagnosis and started to share it with others, I was surprised that many people I spoke to also knew people in their lives that have been diagnosed with epilepsy. Being able to share my struggles and fears with those who have experienced it personally gave me the reassurance that people can live happy and full lives. I hope to be able to increase the quality and quantity of support groups available so people can share their problems and exchange the various ways they have coped with lifestyle changes.”

BC Epilepsy Society scholarships are available to British Columbia residents aged 16 and older, who are Canadian citizens or who have landed immigrant status, and who are currently under a Canadian physician’s care for epilepsy. An applicant must be a current member of the BC Epilepsy Society. Contact the BC Epilepsy Society at 604-875-6704 or at info@bcepilepsy.com for more information.

Tax Benefits for People with Epilepsy

With tax time coming upon us, the BC Epilepsy Society often gets questions regarding medical and disability benefits. To assist you with these, below are answers about the most common inquiries we receive.

1. What Can I Claim as a Medical Expense?

• Yourself
• Your spouse or common-law partner; or
• Your or your spouse's or common-law partner's children born in 1992 or later and who depended on you for support
• Your or your spouse's or common-law partner's child who was born in 1991 or earlier, or grandchild; or
• Your or your spouse's or common-law partner's parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew who was a resident of Canada at any time in the year

Along with prescribed medications, medical expenses you can claim include travel expenses for medical services, respite care expenses, homeopathic services, tutoring services, ambulance transport, and costs associated with seizure response dogs. Below is a list of medical expenses you can and cannot claim in your tax return.

Expenses you can claim: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/llwbl-eng.html
Expenses you cannot claim: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/ntllwbl-eng.html

An authorized medical practitioner must prescribe expenses and original receipts must support claims. Eligible expenses must have been paid in the claim period and any reimbursements from insurance companies, work medical plans, etc. must be deducted from the amount claimed.

For more information about medical expenses, read this Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.

2. If I have epilepsy, do I qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?

• You must have a severe impairment in physical or mental functions.
• Your impairment must be prolonged, which means it has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
• A qualified medical practitioner certifies that your impairment is severe and prolonged and completes Form T2201, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate, detailing the effects of the impairment applicable to the basic activities of daily living. A qualified medical practitioner can be a medical doctor, optometrist, audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, or speech-language pathologist.

Still not sure? Take this question and answer quiz.

Generally, the Disability Tax Credit is usually given to people with frequent (at least a few times a month) complex-partial, tonic-clonic, or atonic seizures and/or people with epilepsy who also have other conditions that impair their daily activities (such as cognitive, physical, or mental conditions). As such, not all people with epilepsy will meet the CRA eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit.

Everyone with epilepsy is unique in their condition and their seizures affect them differently. Many people with epilepsy do not define themselves as having a disability, but some may be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, however others may define themselves as having a disability and receive other disability services and financial aid, but may not be applicable for the Disability Tax Credit.

If you are eligible for this credit but are unable to use all or part of it because you have no taxable income – perhaps you did not work, or you earned a limited amount of money, you can transfer the credit it to your spouse, common-law partner, or other supporting person – so they will pay less or no income tax on their tax return.

For more information about the Disability Tax Credit, read this Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.

3. If my child has epilepsy, does he/she qualify for the Child Disability Benefit?

The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free benefit of up to $2,455 per year for families who care for a child under age 18 with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.

To be eligible for the Child Disability Benefit (CDB), the child must first be approved to receive the Disability Tax Credit (see above) and the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). Not all children with medical conditions or disabilities are eligible for the child disability benefit. For example, children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (BREC) would not usually be eligible, unless the child also has a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment. Children with only absence seizures are also not usually eligible.

You can determine the amount of income you can earn and still be entitled to the Child Disability Benefit by referring to the Child Disability Benefit Guideline Table.

For more information about the Child Disability Benefit, read this Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) webpage.

4. Where can I get help with completing my taxes?

If you are unable to complete your income tax and benefit return by yourself and are unable to pay for assistance, a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) may be for you.

The CRA trains volunteers who can help you complete your income tax and benefit return if your income is low and your tax situation is simple.

Find a volunteer tax preparation clinic in your community here: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/bc-eng.html

5. Who can I contact for more information about my tax return?

Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281 or visit their website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca

You just can't trust those TV doctors!

According to a February 15, 2010 article in the Vancouver Sun, TV viewers should watch medical dramas for the entertainment value and not the medical treatment methods. The article cites a recent study at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Researchers at Dalhousie screened every episode of the four highest-rated U.S. medical dramas - Grey’s Anatomy, House, Private Practice, and the last five seasons of ER. The   researchers found that the television “doctors” and “nurses” performed incorrect seizure first aid nearly half the time.

“Television dramas are a potentially powerful method of educating the public about first aid and seizures,” study author Andrew Moeller, a third-year medical student at Dalhousie, said in a statement. “Our results ... are a call to action. People with epilepsy should lobby the television industry to adhere to guidelines for first-aid management of seizures.”

Three investigators independently analyzed each of the 59 identified seizure depictions and rated the responses by the TV “doctors” and “nurses” according to guidelines set by the Epilepsy Foundation of America. Inappropriate responses occurred in 25 cases. These included holding someone down and putting something in the person’s mouth.

Proper first aid for seizures is:

• Stay calm

• Move objects away

• Protect head from injury

• Gently turn on side to keep airway clear

• Do not restrain

• Do not put anything in the mouth

• If person is wandering, gently guide them away from hazards

• Be friendly and reassuring as consciousness returns

• Call ambulance if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, there is no known history of seizures, seizures repeat without stopping, or if the person is injured, pregnant, or has diabetes.

More information about seizure first aid is available here:
Seizure Types and First Aid Information Sheet

Seizure First Aid poster

If you would like first aid information sheets or posters for your family, school, or workplace, please contact the BC Epilepsy Society at 604-875-6704 or at info@bcepilepsy.com

This study was supported by Epilepsy Canada and the BC Epilepsy Society is a member of this organization.

New Seizure Record Forms

In order to help understand seizures, it is important to know when they occur, what they look like, and what factors may be associated with the episodes.  A seizure journal provides a simple and effective way to record this essential information.

Many of us living with or caring for someone with epilepsy, know that recording your seizures is easier said than done. Sometimes we end up with little scraps of paper kept in different places, or in a yearly dayplanner that may be tragically lost. Or, we're trying to remember all the little details and exact dates that we thought we had memorized during our doctor's appointment. Believe me, I know this from personal experience. This is why the BC Epilepsy Society is pleased to announce the development of three different seizure journals.

The seizure journals were tested out in focus groups of people with epilepsy - to see how they worked in real life, as well as with healthcare providers - to ensure that they were easy to read and provided the information that they need to know.

Given the different lifestyles, preferences, and symptoms of epilepsy, different seizure journal formats work best for different people.

For this reason, the BC Epilepsy Society has produced three new recording forms: a year chart, a month calendar, and a year calendar. 

The year chart works best for people who may have seizures only once a month, or a few times in a year, and prefer to see their information lined up month by month. The month chart works best for people who have more than one seizure during a month, with information lined up day by day. The month calendar works best for people who have more than one seizure during a month, with information lined up day by day in a traditional calendar format.

All formats allow you to record additional details, such as medication changes, sleep schedules, personal events, and/or menstrual cycles.

By bringing specific information to your doctor about your seizures, the journal will aid in diagnosis and treatment.  It may also help you to recognize seizure patterns and/or triggers.

The new Seizure Record Forms are available from http://www.bcepilepsy.com/ or at the BC Epilepsy Society office.

Disneyland Trip for Kids with Epilepsy

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