Medical Memento
Mar. 5th, 2003 09:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ventaI've just had this news story pointed out to me by my boss. [Short version: elderly woman gets "Do not resuscitate" tattoo.]
Now, the 'no under 16s' signs outside tattoo parlours always say "except for medical reasons". Does anyone know how common this actually is? Although I know a few people who have potentially life-threatening conditions, none of them have tattoos to ensure this information is read... though a couple of them do wear those SOS Talisman necklaces.
Now, the 'no under 16s' signs outside tattoo parlours always say "except for medical reasons". Does anyone know how common this actually is? Although I know a few people who have potentially life-threatening conditions, none of them have tattoos to ensure this information is read... though a couple of them do wear those SOS Talisman necklaces.
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no subject
Date: 2003-03-05 03:10 am (UTC)I don't think so. After all, its meaning isn't unclear - it says do not do X, therefore you shouldn't do X.
The problem is more whether you think the tatoo-ee meant it, after all, the people who have "---8<--- cut here" tattooed on their necks probably didn't mean it. However, I'd be inclined to respect it, on the grounds that anyone who'd had it tattooed on for a laugh is clearly stupid.
Also, I can't think of a more viable way of expressing that you don't wish to be resuscitated - wherever else you record it, there may not be time for someone to go and read it when they have to make the decision.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-05 03:18 am (UTC)The problem is more whether you think the tatoo-ee meant it
Almost. The problem is whether the tatoo-ee still means it.
If you have a DNR in a hospital, then you can revoke it at any time when you're conscious. If you wear a medical bracelet, you can take it off. If you have a tattoo, getting it removed is a serious undertaking. What would you do in the mean time, cross it out with a felt tip?
I don't think that it's unreasonable to respect such a tattoo, just that personally I wouldn't be confident doing so unless, on seeing that tattoo, I thought "gosh, surely this person will also be carrying a living will in her handbag", looked for it, and found it.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-05 03:20 am (UTC)After all, its meaning isn't unclear
Yes, you're quite right. Sorry, it's the authority which is uncertain, not the meaning.