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Medic Alert. Police ignoring.
Sun, 11/28/2004 - 18:56Topic: Family & Friends
About 4 months ago now I had a seizure while driving. I hit a building. I woke up handcuffed in the back of a police car. I asked where I was. The officer told me I was drunk and had an accident. I told him "I don't drink, I had a seizure" and then lost consciousness again. I was wearing my "medic alert" bracelet it states "Epilepsy" Rather than taking me to a hospital I was put in a cell to "sober up". I asked for my medication, which was in my pocket, and was refused. When they finally let me go, after 8 hours and a breathalizer that came back Zero, I asked why did he have to put the cuffs so tight. It was because of how I was behaving. I'm sure most who read this post know basic first aid for seizures. 1) do not restrain 2) don't expect person to follow orders 3) do not withhold medication. Shouldn't our Police know this??? Medic Alert has recommended that I press charges. They tell me that the police are supposed to Respect Medic Alert Information. Especially if there is an ID Number. How many people wear a bracelet for 10 years and carry around anti-convulsants to beat a drunk driving charge??? Sorry this is so long. I am frustrated. I have a trial for this in 1 month. How many of you wolud file a complaint?? Thanks for you time. Stacey
Comments
RE: Medic Alert. Police ignoring.
Submitted by momof1 on Tue, 2004-06-22 - 14:33
I would like to further clarify what has previously been said. Perhaps if a person is beligerant they may not look. I was in a car. Unable to speak, lift my head or even stand ( this from the police report) My car was also destroyed and half inside a building. I am sure that a properly trained police officer would look at the damage and condition of those inside the vehicle. Seeing that there may be a possibility of head or neck injury an ambulance should have been called.
RE: Medic Alert. Police ignoring.
Submitted by Mersix on Fri, 2004-06-25 - 12:04
Have been following this for the past month -- I know there was a court date in about a month. . . What happened? I have been thinking about getting a medic alert bracelet, but would like to know how this turned out. This has really been an eye opener for me! --Mer
RE: Medic Alert. Police ignoring.
Submitted by mexican_fire on Tue, 2004-06-22 - 17:26
Like I said the whole thing was ridiculous.Good luck with this, this is inhumane, but what can I say.He was totally out of line with the way that he handled it.I am an EMT, and know the stuff that first responders are supposed to do, and he never followed any of it.I have gotten tons of seizure calls for patients, and we were dispatched, so the cop must have done things right at those scenes.I never ran into snags like yours, and I really feel bad for you that you have to go through all this.Remember to get notes from as many docs as you can that can actually verify that you have epilepsy, and get them to state what types and the seizure types, as well. Take your meds IN their bottles, and wear your bracelet.The more you have as proof, the better it will go for you.If you were at all with it, andcould think straight after the accident, you should have tried to get that cop's name, and badge number and taken that with you as well. That would have stirred it up some.I wish you the best with this. Let me know how it turns out. Don't let the stress get to you if you can. It is a huge trigger for seizure activity.Taks care of yourself,Nancy