Every so often, the topic of emergency medical identification comes up on one or another diabetes-related forum. Most of us agree we should wear some form of identification in case -- Deities forbid -- we should get hit by a car, pass out in the middle of the supermarket, or suffer any of a myriad of Edward Gorey-esque mishaps when we are out solo, or with someone who is not familiar with our medical histories.This holds true whether we have have diabetes or not, whether we are caregivers for people with diabetes or other chronic illnesses, and even whether or not we are out with our parents, spouses, or adult children.

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I'm inked. Are you?

I have three tattoos. My first, which is also my favorite, was a simple butterfly on my right ankle. I sat on a metal folding chair with my leg twisted sideways on the tattoo artist's chair for what seemed like forever. I was 19. And then I got addicted. My second and third tattoos live on my right and left hips, respectively, and were done within two years of the first.

All my tattoos were received pre-children, pre-home ownership, pre-diabetes.

Lately, I've been thinking an awful lot about getting another one (I've even started browsing web sites). Aside from likely wanting to spend that kind of money on something else, I'm nervous about the possible effects of diabetes and getting a tattoo. I know that there are risks no matter what, even for people who don't have diabetes. (READ MORE)