This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® & Road ID but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #roadid #RoadIDItsWhoIAm http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
Parenthood is one crazy ride. There are highs, lows, and more fears than I’d like to admit. As I type this, my kids are both at school, and no matter how confident I am in their teachers, their friends, and any other variables, It terrifies me. Why? Because I am the mother of a special needs child, and a child with a life-threatening egg allergy. For my kids, everyday outings, new restaurants, trips with the grandparents, friends houses, and even days at school present challenges beyond the normal. I’m one of those parents who worries a little more than she should, and I am uncomfortable letting go of the reins and giving them increasing independence. But, I know that I can’t hold on forever, and while there are things that I can never control, there is one item that neither of my children leave the house without: Wearable identification. Especially when I can’t be with them.
Each of my kids has their own unique set of challenges and reason for wearing identification. Kaia started school this year, and upon our orientation meeting with her teacher, we learned about a whole new world of terrors that I hadn’t even thought about going into it. Why? Because to an allergic child a classroom can be a minefield. We moved beyond the usual “new experience” terrifying and went straight into actual fear mode, and that is not fun. If you have ever seen anaphylaxis, you know that it is something you never want to witness again. I have seen it with Kaia and it is something that I will forever remember. The school has an emergency plan in place for her, and her teachers are all very familiar with her allergy, but all it takes is one unknown variable. One unknowing parent bringing in cupcakes for the class and accidentally giving my daughter one means a 911 call. Did you know that every year, over 450,000 people are taken to the hospital without any form of ID? I just can’t handle thinking that could be her, so she wears a medical ID bracelet or necklace every day like this one from Road ID.
It has her name, phone number, the words EGG ALLERGY, EPI PEN, and CALL 911 on it. I can’t tell you how much peace of mind that gives me when I send her off every day to the be in the care of others. She is only four, so this is a way to communicate her emergency if she can’t or doesn’t think to speak up when offered something.
Judah’s reason for wearing an ID isn’t medical, but Autism presents so many challenges on so many different levels that it is better off to wear it than not. He can wander off easily, so having an Autism alert with his name, number, and address makes me feel like he at least has some kind of safeguard. It also signals to people that we come across that we might need a little extra patience on certain things. When we flew to Disney World last year, he had to wear noise canceling headphones to board because of the noise, and when the main attendant saw his wrist, she asked if we would like to board before anyone else. I can’t tell you how much that helped – Judah’s big issue is with crowds/tight spaces, and boarding a full plane when he had never been on one before could have turned into a nightmare very quickly.
I am a firm believer in wearable identification, and for us as a family it is essential. There are a number of brands out there, but I love Road ID for their versatility, durability, and range of style for any preference or lifestyle. Their products are rugged and durable enough to stand up to my active kids, and I love that I can trust they won’t wear out or fall off easily. If you are in a situation like we are, or have kids that could benefit from wearable identification, please check out Road ID to learn more. Here’s a great offer to get you started: Now through 11/18, take advantage of all Road ID products marked down to $15, $20 and $25 along with 20% off all gift cards, while supplies last.
