By Anna Fleet
Meet Shauna and her family—dedicated MedicAlert subscribers since 1988. Shauna and her two sons, along with her partner, all rely on MedicAlert’s Emergency Response System to protect them in emergencies. MedicAlert has been a lifeline for Shauna, who manages multiple health conditions, including a full stomach removal, malabsorption, and sudden drops in blood sugar. But it's Brandon’s experience that best shows why having MedicAlert means more than just wearing an ID—it’s having a voice when you need it most.
Brandon, now 21, was part of MedicAlert’s program for kids with autism, which provides a special MedicAlert ID autism emblem and supports children under 16 who struggle with communication. Brandon has Asperger's Syndrome (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), all of which affect his ability to communicate, especially under stress. He often processes information slowly and may stutter or twitch when overwhelmed. By the age of 15, Brandon was already 6'3" and 270 pounds, he appeared like an adult—though he was still very much a kid. Shauna affectionately describes him as a “big teddy bear.”
It was when Brandon was just a teenager that Shauna learned the extent of the important role MedicAlert would play in her son’s life. One sunny spring day when Brandon was only 15, he was at a local park where he liked to walk and sit under the gazebo when it rained, playing solitaire, and practicing magic tricks. Two little girls approached him and asked him to show them a magic trick. He did, and they all enjoyed their interaction. Afterward, one of the girls asked Brandon if he would walk her home. He did, and at her request, Brandon held her hand to help her cross the street. Brandon, always polite and caring, walked her safely to her driveway and waited until she was inside her house before leaving. The next day, when Brandon returned to the park for his usual walk, things took a frightening turn when the local police, and the stepfather of one of the little girls from the day before, showed up. The stepfather, a man known to local police, had filed an incident that accused Brandon of inappropriate behaviour with the little girl.
The first police officer to speak to Brandon initially thought he was a man, because of his size, but as soon as Brandon responded with a polite, “Hi officer, how’s your day?” the officer sensed that Brandon was younger and possibly had special needs. The conversation with the police and the stepfather of one of the little girls continued. Overwhelmed by the stress of the situation, and struggling to explain himself, Brandon then did what he had been taught by his mom—he pointed to his MedicAlert bracelet and said simply, “Please call my mom.”
That request changed everything. The officer recognized Brandon’s MedicAlert ID, followed protocol and contacted Shauna. When she received the call, the officer put Brandon on the phone, and Shauna remembers hearing his voice sound so anxious as he said, “Mum, you have to come please.” Shauna immediately rushed over to help and found the stepfather of the little girl verbally berating Brandon. Shauna quickly stepped in, and told the officer, “Brandon is a minor—please get that man away from him.” It took several warnings before the man left, but the situation was eventually defused.
Unfortunately, the ordeal didn’t end there. The next day, two detectives came to the Shauna and Brandon’s home after the stepfather of the little girl made more accusations. Despite his attempts to escalate the situation, detectives soon realized the stepfather’s claims didn’t add up. He even refused to let the little girl speak to police without him. After investigating, the detectives found the accusations were false and closed the case.
This incident is a powerful example of how MedicAlert’s Emergency Response System can protect individuals like Brandon in stressful and potentially dangerous situations. The ID, paired with the Emergency Information Health Record, prevented the situation from spiraling out of control.
For Shauna, MedicAlert is an essential part of life for her entire family. “MedicAlert truly speaks for us when we can’t,” she says. “It gives us peace of mind knowing that in an emergency, whether it’s my low blood sugar, Brandon’s Asperger’s, or my partner’s penicillin allergies, First Responders will know how to help us when we can’t speak.” She encourages Brandon to wear his ID anytime he leaves the house. "He used to say, ‘Oh mom,’ but now he wears his MedicAlert dog tags like Wolverine, which he thinks is cool.”
Shauna’s story highlights the critical role MedicAlert plays for individuals with special needs. It’s not just a medical ID—it’s a trusted voice, providing protection and reassurance when communication becomes difficult or impossible. For concerned parents like Shauna, MedicAlert offers the peace of mind that their loved ones will be safe, no matter the circumstances.
Are you a parent of a child with a chronic medical condition? Learn how MedicAlert can provide peace of mind, protection, and support at medicalert.ca/signup or call 1-800-668-1507 today.
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