By Anna Fleet
How one family finds safety, advocacy, and confidence through generations of MedicAlert
For Fiona M, MedicAlert isn’t just a bracelet—it’s a family tradition, a layer of protection, and a source of peace of mind she’s come to rely on for more than 40 years.
“My mom wore one, I wear one, and now two of my three children wear them too,” she says. Hemophilia runs in Fiona’s family—her mother and brother live with the condition, as do Fiona and her son Luka, 12, who has severe hemophilia, and her daughter, who has moderate hemophilia.
Fiona first connected with MedicAlert decades ago, and now, it’s a non-negotiable part of her family’s routine. “We’ve never had to use it in a serious emergency,” she says. “But that’s the point. It’s there if we ever do.”
One of the hardest parts of parenting a child with a chronic condition, Fiona explains, is trusting that others will understand their needs when she’s not around.
“I’m OK if I’m there,” she says. “But my fear is always—what if I’m not?”
That fear hits especially hard when Luka is playing basketball, a sport he loves and has played since he was six. While his MedicAlert bracelet is vital, referees won’t let him wear it during games. Thanks to MedicAlert’s wrist band Luka can still carry his medical information with him on the court—but Fiona has had to ensure coaches and even other parents are aware of it and know what to do in an emergency.
“Ice packs, communication with coaches, backup plans—we’ve had to build a system just in case. His MedicAlert ID is in his basketball bag if he can’t wear it,” she says. “We do everything we can to make sure everyone knows he has severe hemophilia and how to respond.”
For Fiona, MedicAlert is like a trusted safety net. “It’s like insurance,” she says. “It gives you confidence. If I can’t advocate for myself or my kids, the MedicAlert ID will speak for them.”
That’s especially important for children like Luka, who are learning how to self-advocate as they grow older. “He knows the difference between a cramp and a bleed. He’ll say, ‘No, I need my medication. I need my mom. I need it now,’” she explains.
But it wasn’t always that easy. Fiona admits there was a time when Luka, like many teens with chronic conditions, would try to hide symptoms to avoid missing out on activities or enduring medical treatments. “The care eventually shifts into their hands,” she says. “As a parent, you have to start preparing them early to advocate for themselves. MedicAlert helps bridge that gap.”
One of Fiona’s biggest challenges has been educating others about hemophilia. “We either get extreme panic—like running for ice and bandages over a paper cut—or total dismissal. They’ll tell him to just shake it off,” she says.
She’s learned that having MedicAlert not only protects Luka physically but also supports his self-advocacy. “It’s something that shows First Responders and others that this isn’t just a bump or bruise. It’s serious. And they’ll treat him differently because of it.”
Fiona also appreciates that MedicAlert is evolving to help break the stigma—especially for kids. “He’s not wearing an orange vest on the playground like my brother had to,” she says. “He doesn’t feel targeted. He feels safe and included.”
Fiona is the first to speak up when another parent with a child who has a medical condition expresses hesitation about MedicAlert. “You never know what could happen,” she says. “If your child can’t speak for themselves in an emergency, that ID could save their life. It’s a no-brainer.”
For Fiona and her family, MedicAlert isn’t about limitations. It’s about empowerment. It means Luka can play the sport he loves, make his own choices, and grow into a confident young man who knows how to manage his health and safety—on and off the court.
“We’ve never had to call MedicAlert in a crisis, and I hope we never do,” Fiona says. “But it’s always there. And that means everything.”
Are you a parent of a child with a chronic medical condition? Learn more about 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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