Review-Squid Medical Id from My ID Square

When I first set out to find a medical id bracelet, I knew I was going to need a fair bit of space to fit everything I wanted to convey to emergency workers or doctors.  I also knew that the information on it was likely to change often, as I felt including my long/weird/rotating list of medications was important.  My first stab at a solution for this was the Vital ID medical bracelet.  The paper insert allowed me space and flexibility to write (most) everything I wanted, and it stuck out enough that I felt most emergency workers would notice it.

However, I still wanted to be able to convey more.  I began looking for more “techie” solutions to the problem.  I had seen the USB based medical jewelry, but had been warned EMTs would not be able to access it and Hospitals were too cautious to put foreign USBs in to their computers anymore thanks to the increasing problems with hacking/malware/identity theft breeches (big HIPPA fines).  So that was out.  Then I stumbles across QR code based medical jewelry.

A QR code, for those unaware, is kind of like a barcode on steroids.  In many cases, it allows you to link directly to a specific, online website.  Once pretty obscure, they continue to grow in popularity, and not just for medical ids.  Checked out you McDonald’s cup recently? You will probably find a QR code linking you directly to the nutrition information.  Need video instruction on how to put together your kids new toy? Scan the QR code to be taken to step by step YouTube instructions.  Once you start looking for them, you will start spotting them everywhere.

Their popularity is increasing, partly due to the fact they are pretty much universal (no matter which QR code app you use, they all go to the same place) and partly because everyone plus their dog has a smart phone.  No longer do I have to go home and hop on the laptop to know the fat content of my Big Mac, just scan the QR code with my phone and I have instant access.  As Dean Pelton would say, easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Thus, the point of a QR code based medical id is to link to an online website that has your medical info.

After researching different companies that offered QR code medical jewelry, I decided on My ID Square.  One of the most important factors for me was the lack of a yearly fee–my “Squid” purchase came with a lifetime subscription to the website.  I had also read reviews that said My ID, another prominent QR code medical jewelry company, had problems with their QR codes wearing off and becoming unusable. The Squid can be accessed both via a smartphone with any QR code reader (many to choose from, most are free) or online via a website and pin code.

The variety of accessories that was available on the My ID Square site was a definite plus, though it is easy to see that bracelets/necklaces not from them would work just as well when paired with the Squid.  Taking advice from EMT’s I had spoken with, however, I did not want to make my bracelet too “jewelry like” and thus went with a plain silicone band.

I also liked the clip-on charms they recommend, a way to get across quickly your medical condition before scanning the squid and help draw attention to the bracelet.  The ‘multiple medications’ one certainly fit, but otherwise the closest thing to what I have was the generic ‘heart condition’.  However, then something really cool happened.  After several requests, they company offered a pre-order for a POTS charm.  If they got 12 orders, they would go ahead and make the charm!  Not long after, request and pre-orders for Dysautonomia, EDS, and Gastroparesis were made.  But they had me at POTS, I had to have one.

I waited anxiously for my new squid, charms, and bracelet to arrive.  Seemed like forever, but it was only like 2 weeks.  Since then, I have been very pleasantly surprised how much I like it.  I was somewhat dubious about the silicone bracelet; I was worried it would look silly/tacky for someone my age to be wearing a silicone bracelet.  But I actually really like it.  I, of course, got it in Aqua for Dysautonomia, and was happy how similar to turquoise it is.  And, not surprisingly, it is pretty comfortable.  The actual color of the Squid I wanted was out of stock, but it retrospect I think my second choice color actually works better.

The web profile was easy to activate and simple to input the information.  It offered options for

• Name, age, photo, languages spoken
•  Primary doctor and contact info
•  All other doctor’s contact info
•  Emergency contacts phone, text and email
•  Medication, food and other allergies
•  Surgeries
•  Medical Problems
•  Medical Devices
•  Medications
•  Pharmacy
•  Advanced Directive information
•  Date of last tetanus shot
•  Where your electronic health records are stored
•  Preferred Care Center

It also has a spot where you can put general information that might be pertinent in an emergency, such as where a epi pen can be found, or in my case, to give fluids.  It also gives the option to download or email the information if wanted.  It cannot, however, link to a full EMR record, at least not currently.

As a final neat trick, anyone who scans your squid can press a button to alert your emergency contacts that your Squid has been accessed.  You can set it up so they receive a text, email, or both.

I do wish it had a little more room and/or areas where I could give instructions.  The lovely thing about having a condition nobody has ever heard of is you spend A LOT of time explaining to doctors how to treat you.  I carry summary medical journal articles of my conditions in my purse, you know, just in case google happens go down or something.  I would love a bit more space to include “more information” links about my conditions or detailed instructions from my specialists.

Thankfully, I have not had my Squid scanned yet (by medical professionals, anyway).  I asked a couple of local first responders if they would know what to do if they saw one, and that has been a bit of a mixed bag.  However, they all thought it was really cool after learning about it.  Hopefully as the word about this kind of technology gets out, awareness of how to use it will improve as well.

For me, one of the most comforting facts about having the Squid is that both my husband and myself are able to scan it.  The majority of the times I have ended up in the ER, it is because my husband is taking me in to get fluids after an episode.  I don’t need an ambulance, but I do need a liter or two of fluids.  And if it is to the point I am needing to go in for fluids, I am usually not at the top of my game.  I am often out of breath, brain foggy as all get out, and filling out forms while describing my multiple conditions is not exactly easy.  Now, either of us can just scan the Squid and hand it over.  Could I do the same things with a piece of paper in the purse or wallet . . . probably.  But this is much easier to update (vs. editing and reprinting or someone trying to read my chicken scratch) and my phone is always on me–not always so with my purse.  It did, however, prompt me to finally upgrade to a knock-off brand smartphone.  So I guess I can also thank it for also nudging me into the 21st century.

(My previous phone–most of you probably don’t even know what this is)

In terms of security, someone must scan the QR code or visit the website with your personal pin code (on the back of the squid).  As you can see, I covered my squid with tape before taking a picture as you can access the online profile even by scanning a clear enough picture.   For this reason, I also tend to wear it on the inside of wrist, though I doubt someone could get close enough to scan it without me noticing.  Plus, I figure if I end up on the floor, I will probably be palms up anyway.

According to the company, the info is protected behind  a “firewall protected secure database. Customer information is never shared, sold, or otherwise provided to third parties.” Obviously, if it is on the internet, it runs the risk of being hacked.  But with the mandate for medical records to go electronic as well as several high-profile hacks of big healthcare companies (one of which I know my data was included in), I figure my medical info is probably going to get out eventually anyway.  Heck, the NSA probably knew what I had before the Doctors did.  Even so, I only put information on my profile that I feel pretty comfortable about if it somehow did get out.  For instance, I do not put my address, my insurance information, and for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT put you Social Security number on there.  In my mind, the risk of it getting hacked is pretty minimal, especially since my Squid profile contains at lot less info than some of my other electronic medical records.

The one problem that I had with my Squid medical id was actually a problem with the POTS charm I was so excited about.  Unfortunately, after a few months, the ‘POTS’ started to rub off of the charm.  I contacted the company to let them know about it, and they reported that there appeared to be a defect in the manufacturing process, and that others had reported similar problems with their POTS charms.  The offered to replace the charm with a new one after they finished switching charm manufacturers in a few weeks.

I am happy to report that they did replace the charm, and it now seems to have some sort of protective coating to prevent it from happening again.  They replaced and mailed it free of charge, and even emailed afterward to make sure I was happy with it.  So A+ for customer service!

Overall, I am pretty pleased with my Squid medical id.  However, I will add that I do not exclusively wear my Squid.  I also continue to wear my Vital Id bracelet as well.  I figure by wearing both, I have all my bases covered.  I realize not everyone knows what a QR code is, and rural emergency responders are not always issued smartphones as part of their job.  Indeed, in my mind, I keep my traditional medical id around more for the EMTs/field responders, the Squid for the emergency room/hospital.  However, I figure if we are talking about emergencies, the more options covered, the better.

Squid medical id’s by My ID Square, available in both a charm and as a dog tag.  $58 at http://www.myidsquare.com/pages/squids-square-ids-that-connect-to-medical-profile

Bonus: Sales of the Dysautonomia charm benefit Dysautonomia International

Review–Travelchair Slacker Chair

Pretty much anyone with any form of Dysautonomia can talk to you about the importance of being able to sit when needed.  While there are many different forms of Dysautonomia, as far as I know, pretty much all of them have issues with standing for too long.

Thankfully, much of the “regular” world also likes to sit.  More often than not, if you are inside you can often find somewhere to sit.  This can be a bit more complicated when outside.

If push comes to shove, you can always pull up some floor/ground.  However, this is often not a particularly nice or hygienic option.  So, as much as I enjoy sharing some space with ants and the like, I have learned to bring a seat along with me when I anticipate a situation with limited seating.

Like everybody else in the world whose kids have ever played an outdoor sport, I have bag chairs.  However, the size and weight of lugging those over long distances can get old very fast, especially when you have dysautonomia.  Thus I began my search for a seat the was small and portable.

I finally decided to try the Travelchair Slacker Chair.  It was small, lightweight, and could hold up to 275 lbs–so anyone in my family could use it.   They only had plain black when I bought mine, but now several more “fun” colors are available.

The seating area is not particularly large and is triangular-shaped.  This pretty much requires that you keep one of the “points” of the chair at the front between your legs with the “back” of the triangle for your derriere. This is not as comfortable as a more traditional stool–not really even close, honestly.  But it results in the stool needing very little space to work, and in turn helps it close up very compactly.

When folded it is quite a bit smaller than other chairs I have owned, but I would not say it was the size of a newspaper like it boasts in the description.  I would guess about 2 feet or slightly under in length when folded.  The circumference is pretty compact when folded as well–a reviewer on Amazon put it as 7 inches and that sounds about right.  It has a velcro strap for keeping it folded and an adjustable strap for carrying (or slinging on to my Rest-n-Roll cart).

As stated, the seat is definitely not the most comfortable ever.  However, it is better than standing.  I doubt I  have spent more than an hour in it at one time, and while certain parts of your posterior may need a little rubbing to get all the feeling back (especially if you have a larger one like me), it was manageable.  And while I would not want to spend a whole day in it, the times I have used it when starting to feel unwell, it was enough of a seat to give me a chance to calm my body down.

In a surprising turn, the places I most often use it are indoors.  The most common use is visits to my kids preschool where all the chairs are just so tiny and low to the ground.  The other often used place has been at home.  It is so easy to fold and lightweight, I sometimes find myself just taking it with me from room to room when I need to sit while doing/in between housework.  It is small enough I can fit it back by the washer/dryer when moving clothes, in front of the pull out freezer when I need to dig to find stuff, or in the toy room when sorting though/cleaning toys.  I had really anticipated more outdoor use, but that has not been the case.

The stool sits pretty low to the ground.  Not enough to give you that “OMG I am falling” feeling when you sit in it, but enough that it could affect a bad knee if you had one.  You would probably feel a bit low if you tried to sit at a normal table to eat, but not low enough that eating at said table would be impossible.

All in all, it is not a bad little seat–just not for long sitting-marathons.  It is small, lightweight, and reasonably easy to pack and take with you when needed.  More often than not, I am glad I brought it along.

Slacker Chair by Travelchair $18.40 from Amazon and other retailers.

 

Review–Rest n Roll Multipurpose Cart

I have pretty much always been a heavy packer–been teased by my family about it pretty much since I can remember.  I was never a girl scout, but I have always embraced the “be prepared” motto–maybe even a little too much.  And after having kids, my over-packing habit increased ten-fold.

When the kids were young enough to be in strollers, this was not too much of a problem.  It is surprising how much you can pack into a good-sized stroller when motivated.  However, as children do, they grew up and are too big now to be pushed by mom.  However, my desire to keep a bag full of “in case” essentials on me when out and about has not really diminished.

Then, enter Dysautonomia.  Dysautonomia pretty much DEMANDS that you be ready for the unpredictable.  As I explained in my Mobile Dysautonomia Bag post, I have a small-ish bag full of “in case” supplies in my purse at pretty much all times.  However, that bag, on top of all the other mom-bag stuff, makes my purse a contender for the heavyweight champion of the world.  It is not too much of a problem when going to the store–purse immediately gets dumped into the shopping cart.  However, a day in the park, zoo, or any other place where I will be more than be a few steps from my emergency way-station (aka, my car) requires some extra planning.

Besides needing to keep my crazy heavy purse on my person (and the hubby so hates when I ask him to carry it), I need extra powerade/water, sunscreen, bug spray, extra snacks for the kids, my mini travel seat, etc. etc. etc.  Basically,  I need a smaller version of the trunk of my car.

Enter, the Roll n Rest Multipurpose cart.  It is a metal frame cart with attached nylon/canvas bag.  The bag has a large main compartment and a smaller front pocket that is lined in cooler-type material, presumably to keep cold stuff cold.  It has mesh pocket on each side as well as a long attached sleeve for holding the included sun umbrella (not on all models).

On the back side, it has a fold down seat.  The seat is plastic, not fabric, and has a rather generous seating area for what it is.  The handle is adjustable to two heights, and has a padded handhold.  Inside the main compartment is a snap on/off bag and two small pockets on the back of the bag.  The bag is removable for washing, though this is not the easiest task.

I was quite excited when I first saw this product–it seemed to fit several areas of need for me; the ability to cart along a bunch of stuff while also always having a seat with me.  The reviews were generally positive, but some mentioned issues with wheels coming off.

First thing I noticed after arriving is that it is heavy.  If you have issues with lifting or muscle weakness, you will likely have a problem with this cart.  It is clearly made of a solid metal, but that also adds weight.  While, in general, lifting too much weight wears me out, the quick lifting required to get this in and out of the car is not a deal breaker for me.  But it is something to be aware of.

The main compartment is decently sized, even if I could deal with it being a big bigger (this is probably mostly me and my crazy over-packing).  However, since it is a tall and skinny compartment, sometimes creative packing is required.  In addition, if you need something at the bottom, you are going to have to stop and take a bunch of stuff out to reach it.

I have never really used the front cooler pocket for keeping anything cold.  Honestly, it just does not seem sturdy enough for that.  Unless the main compartment is pretty full, loading up the front pocket tends to make the whole bag either lean in or lean out.  I mainly use the front pocket to keep smaller things (keys, phone, sunscreen, etc.) readily accessible and keep a cooler in the main compartment.

The version I got came with a  sun umbrella that can click on to either side near the top of the handle.  This is another feature that I have not tried yet (had this over a year now).  The main reason I have not tried it, however, is that the pocket that is supposed to hold the umbrella ripped in the first few weeks of owning it.  I cannot say the ripping is entirely on the product, but I would say that–in my opinion–a design flaw led to the issue.  The umbrella, when in the designated pocket, sticks out so far past the end of the bag, it just kept getting caught everything as I would take it in and out of the trunk.  Finally, it caught one too many times and tore.  Ever since then, I no longer store the umbrella with the bag (despite safety pinning the torn part of the pocket).  This usually means that I forget to grab it when heading out, so using the umbrella is not an option.  It is a nice thought, having a sun umbrella, but I just have not really had a chance to make it work.

I could use the handle being a bit higher.  Even on the highest setting, it still feels a bit low for my liking.  However, as not far off 6 ft. tall, I am taller than your average dysautonomiac (or woman).  That said, it is not low enough to be uncomfortable when I use it–just would prefer a bit taller.  If you are much taller than 6 ft, though, it could be an issue.

Only once have I ever encountered the wheel issue some reviews spoke of.  There is some type of clip that appears to help attach the wheel.  I never really figured out what to do with these clips, or how they helped.  But after the first lost wheel incidence, I apparently did something correctly with them as it has not happened since.

The cart can be kind of heavy when wheeling it around.  Not nearly as bad as carrying all the stuff, but enough that I notice the difference–often with a somewhat elevated heart rate in response.  Usually I will ask my husband to roll it when possible.  It is hard to tell how much of the weight is related to the cart itself and how much is the stuff I pack.  I pretty much always load it up, often adding extra bags to hang off the top.  I have never rolled it around as just the cart–if I only need to keep a seat with me I take my tri-folding stool.  However, the cart seat is much more comfortable than the tri-fold stool.

Despite some of its problems, I find taking the cart is worth it to me.  Even when I have to pull it myself.  If I am willing to go out and about, more than likely I am already having a good day.  Many times the extra supplies I bring are not really necessary.  But it makes me feel better knowing I have them if I need them.  And being the mom that remembered snacks and drinks always makes you popular.  The seat is surprisingly comfortable, as least as far as portable seats go.  And it appears to be a sturdy seat, as I am not exactly small but have had no issues.  The seat folds up and down in seconds and has a sturdy snap to keep it in place.

I do get glances from others when out and about but I can never tell if they are thinking “what weirdo uses a cart” or “wish I would have thought to bring one”.  In my (rural) area, everybody depends on cars so seeing someone walking about with a cart if not very common.  It is entirely possible in a larger city with lots of walking and mass transit it would not stick out at all.  However, for me, it is a much less self-confidence denting way to keep a seat with me than using a walker or cane.  Someone my age with either a walker or cane always attracts unwanted attention.

Overall, for me, this product has been helpful.  But I can see how it might not be for everyone.  The weight could be a serious issue for many.  I needed the extra weight-carrying capacity of the heavy metal frame.  However, I believe there are less “heavy duty” versions out there if you are a lighter packer (and smaller person) than me.

I originally got Rest-n-Roll Multipurpose Cart on ebay, but the seller I bought it from is no longer in business.  I believe that this store is the only one currently selling it.  QVC has had it off and on over time, but it currently out of stock there as well.

Rest-n-Roll Multipurpose Cart, 29.95 + Shipping at http://qualityhomeproducts.net/product/rest-n-roll/