Saturday, September 18, 2010

Day 841 - Sep 17, 2010

Today I left Kevin here alone while I went to the pharmacy to pick up some medications. I have left him alone for 10 minutes here and there, but today it was over an hour. I knew it would be that long, but he has just come so far and I didn't really feel all that nervous. Yes, I did call him one time and check on him and when I did he basically told me to quit babying him. I suppose it's time to cut some more strings - at his request.

There are also some strings to cut at mine though. He has become entirely too dependent on me to do everything for him and when he calls my name now I often walk into his room, see what he wants, tell him to do it himself and turn around and walk out. He gets mad, but he needs to get off his lazy butt and start doing things for himself. He CAN get up now and it can only help him physically to do things on his own.

So changing the subject, does anyone know how 911 works? Kevin knows to call 911 in an emergency, but he would not be able to say what he needed yet. Can I call them and explain our situation and have them ask multiple choice or yes/no questions? Would a note pop up when our phone number called in letting the operator know that if it's Kevin he can't verbalize the problem? This is something that has been on my mind since we bought the house in FL.

This is also one of the two things that I do think about when I do leave him alone at home. The other is me being in an accident and never coming back. At this point, I text Breezy as I'm leaving and tell her the estimated amount of time I will be gone (usually 10 mins to Walgreens on the corner for milk) and then I text her when I get home. She knows if I am not home in the expected amount of time to take the appropriate steps.

And tonight the boys (Kev and Johnny) went to the mall for a while. We had some storms pass through the area so they didn't go until kinda late, but they still had a good time. I just love to see that!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

yes, they should be able to make a note related to his number that he needs multiple choice (everything is computerized)...and for your peace of mind, you should know when he calls, if he doesn't speak, they will ask, "do you need an ambulance? Do you need police? etc..." So even if he can't describe his problem, he could answer yes to the fact that he needs an ambulance.
~Emily

i. said...

And to add to Emily's info, even if Kevin said absolutely nothing, they are required to send a police car out to investigate the reason for the call.

Anonymous said...

Look up the non-emergency number for 911 in your area. Call them, and explain Kevis situation. They should be able to save his phone number, the location on his residence since he uses a cell phone. Also, it might be smart to hide a key, or give one to your neigbors, and let the 911 center know the location. When the 911 center dispatches the call, they will say over the radio "call in for key information, and patient information." When the ambulance crew, fire dept. or police call in by phone they will let the responders know key information, and the needs of the patient, so they can be prepared. Also, in Butler, we have a program which teaches people that may live alone and care for themselves, if they were to have an emergency if they could not answer us, to place a old pill bottle in your fridge door(everyone has a fridge!) with a paper in it with your name, SSN, DOB, medications, allergies and past medical history.) And all you would need to do is put a small sign on your apartment door, saying "Vial of Life." Responders should know, what and where to look for patient information. Also place the same paper in his wallet, ambulance crews and police look there for information.

Also, look at Kevin's cell phone under settings and make sure you choose 911 location option. In an emergency, most 911 centers in the US should be able to pinpoint Kevin's location down to 10 feet. Also, if they do not have the ability to do so, they are able to contact your cell phone company and they will be able to locate Kevin. They also make a program for most phone, and even his iPad called "ICE - In case of emergency" Which you can place all of his medical information in and ambulance crews and police also might look there for information. And, if nothing else, if you have a hard time remembering in a situation, you have three more places to point responders to so they can obtain the information.

If I can help you with any other ambulance or 911 information let me know. I can get you most any answers you need. Also, if you need me to send you the Vial of Life information or the kit to do it, let me know I'll drop it in the mail ASAP!

Here's the link on Vial of Life!
http://vialoflife.com/?gclid=CKn5n9uTkaQCFUNM5QodRTRGVg


Love you,

Sara Forbes

Linda said...

Leslie,
There should be a direct number to call into 911 instead of using an emergency number. I know PA has one as my son is FireChief in Sligo, and they have called here before for him. I will ask him how it works up here..i would imagine it is somewhat the same in other states. Also have several neices in the ambulances in the county working...will ask them the same and will get back to you on that...I am sure there would be some kinda "flag" they could put on your number when it comes up as you are in a big city and we are such a small community.
I am glad to see him come SO SO far since "day 1" What a wonderful mother you are!

GrannieEv said...

My daughter tells me that in Balto. Co., Md. they always check the cell phone, if available, for ICE info. It might be good for you, Breezy and Kevin to enter it on the phones.

ffmaples@yahoo.com said...

I work as a firefighter/medic in Illinois and have a few suggestions.

As far as 911 dispatching goes, most police departments send an officer out to every scene just to be safe. Even if it is a hang up on accident. And Vial of Life is also a very good program.

Where I work, we have little jump drives (that plug into the computer) that we give to diabetics, elderly and patients in need of specific care that can be plugged into computers (most ambulances and police cars are equipped with computers these days) and the medical history, meds and allergies comes right up usually in a Word Document. The jump drive, or memory stick, can be put on a lanyard and kept on the person usually with a label on it.

Also, Life Alert Tags that the elderly use are a good thought too. Even if the button is pressed on accident, the fire department will come out just to make sure.

Some cities have a medical alert bracelet system. If the person has a certain medical problem and have a bracelet on, the dispatcher can notify the crews going to the call beore they get there because the information is in the computer in the police department.

Also check with your building department or Fire Department about KNOX BOXES. THey are boxes that are installed outside the house that you can keep an emergency key in for the residence and you can put medical history notes inside it as well. The box is locked from the outside and only the home owner and fire department/police department can get into it. It is definitely worth looking into. Especially if you are planning to leave Kevin home alone.

Sorry so winded. Hope it all works out!!

Jessica Maples