Medical alert card

[tex]

Suze,

Stuff happens, when we're dealing with computers.

Regarding the jury duty, MC qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so during jury selection, when the judge asks you if there is any reason why you might not be able to serve, mention that you have been diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease, and you may have to leave in a hurry, to use a bathroom. After that, they will either have to decide to dismiss you, or agree to accommodate your needs, by seating you where you can leave in a hurry, with convenient access to a bathroom.

FYI, after you say that, the judge may ask you if you feel that it will prevent you from serving, and rendering a fair and impartial decision. Been there, done that.

Tex

P. S. You're not losing your mind - I removed the duplicate.

[HockeyMom]

Isn't it crazy how you have to think/plan so much with this condition? I was supposed to do jury duty last August when I was at my worst...I ended up deferring it one time then got the GI doc to write me a note with my diagnosis and telling them it would be awhile before I could sit there with no immediate bathroom access!

I've actually been putting off observing some of the new orthopedic surgeries at my hospital because although I'm much better than I was..these are always early morning deals and I can't picture myself having to leave and de-gown the OR quickly without pissing the surgeons off! I do think I'll be there soon though.

Hockey Mom

[Deb]

I received my "Restroom Acess Card" today. Interestingly, Ally's Law is in effect in Illinois, Minnesota (that's me), Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin and Connecticut and requires retailers to make their employee-only toilets available to IBD patients. It says the law is pending in other states.

[Joefnh]

Hockey Mom your situation in the OR sounds familiar. I work at a research lab where we have the high end class 1 clean rooms and you have 2 issues with MC

1. You wear essentially a spacesuit and while there is fresh air pumped into the suit, you are breathing 'shared' air inside of the suit.

2. As you have to get undressed to get into this suit, I have found that I really need to carefully time my work in the clean room when i am flaring up. It does take a while to get dressed and undressed with that garb.

It does take a different way of thinking about life with these conditions. One of the other physicist I work with has Crohns and she fully understands the issues. So far I have not had any real issues with this arrangement, although I do keep an emergency set of clothing at work.

[patc73]

I just got my card yesterday...thanks for the tip! I put it in the front pocket of my purse, where I won't have to dig for it. You never know when or how fast you might need it!

[Lesley]

I ordered one last night.

[Melanie]

I also just got a summons for jury duty and was concerned about it. Unfortunately, I already filled out the questionnaire unknowing that I could get out of it because of this. So I imagine I am stuck. I'm not supposed to serve until the end of May, so I'm hoping I will be okay by then. I've never served before and am a bit nervous about the whole thing.

[Gloria]

Melanie,

In my experience, a call for jury duty means that you need to be available in case you need to serve. Most people are not asked to serve.

Gloria

[raemckee]

Thank you for the information on the card. I've ordered one too. I've stopped frequenting store that wouldn't let me use the rest room. It'll be nice to have something to hand them if needed. Or if someone questions why I am in the men's room or need to go to the front of the line in for the women's room. I looked into the handicap parking tag but it's for mobility (lack of).

[Melanie]

Thanks Gloria! At 34 years old I feel like I should know this, but I've never been called for Jury Duty before. I'm praying I won't actually have to serve!

[brandy]

I ordered my card, THANKS FOR TIP, Brandy

[humbird753]

I've been out of town for about 6 days, and got back and opened my mail. My card has arrived! I am so thankful for this tip. I am from Wisconsin where the law is currently in effect.

I plan on carrying the letter that came with the card. I love the paragraph which states that if denied access to a restroom facility when using this card a person should advise them via email the name of the establishment and the date of the incident.


Paula

[mzh]

Suze, I got a doctor's letter telling them I'd be unable to have jury duty b/c of the MC. Worked with no trouble at all.

As for the bathroom issue - after one messy accident while walking the greyhounds I started wearing incontinence pads - not diapers; these are the pads with two belts. Also, I could never travel so we got a comfy class B camper that carried a nice porta potti; I was determined not to be trapped in the house and force my husband to also be trapped b/c of my problem. We now have a travel trailer for long trips even though my MC issues are mostly well-controlled nowadays.

[brandy]

Hi Tex,

My card came in the mail today. Tex, perhaps consider moving this thread to one of the "saved" important link areas? The card is not as critical for me now but would have been helpful last year. brandy

[Grahm]

I tried going to this site today and it said, it wasn't there??

I would love to order one of these cards, does anyone have more info on it?

Thanks,
Connie