How To ID your child........

[Guest guest]

I recently went through a horrible incident that I hope no one has gone

through... We almost lost our a and I never want to feel this way again.

Been a week and I still cannot sleep on my nights off from work and on the

nights I do work, I think of her all night long. Last weekend when it was

miserably cold and rainy , about 1 a.m., she got out of our apartment (my

husband did not hear her leave) on the 3rd floor. We have a bottom lock that

just twists to lock and we also have a deadbolt. (She unlocked both). I was

working. He called me about 2 30 in the morning saying she was gone! I was

numbed in a heartbeat! A 2 or 3 minute trip home lasted about 30 seconds this

time. As I got out of my car, I was screaming her name...he came out from our

building saying it was no use cause he was outside already for like a 1/2 hr

looking for her. We went inside and as soon as I got into our apartment, I

called 911. The dispatcher said said about 1 a.m. a call came in from a citizen

who said they had noticed a little girl wondering the Giant parking lot. At

this time, it was just past 2 30 - so that means they already had her for an

hour and a half. Supposedly, my husband got up to use the restroom about 2 am

and that is when he noticed she was not home. He went to look for her, then

called me. Well, a had left with no jacket on and no socks or shoes.

The shopping center is a good half mile from our place AND she had to cross a

main intersection to get to it. As I gave the police her description, they said

it matched the little girl in the hospital emergency room they picked up and

brought in. Thank the heavens! I was on my way out the door to go get her and

the dispatcher said for me to stay put an officer was on the way. Here I was

thinking she was coming home. Well, the officer showed up and he was alone,

once again my heart sank. I was just wanting my baby so bad. After he got all

her info and mine and my husband's, then I was to follow

him to the hospital to get her. I was crying beyond belief when I went into

that ER room and seen her. She just rubbed my cheek, and said, mommy ok? Of

course, I squeezed the crap out of her. She was not hurt in any way - thank

goodness. Even her bare feet were unscratched.

The officer who came to my apartment and the nurse at the ER suggested I some

how get info put on her to let people know of her down syndrome because they had

a hard time understanding her when she spoke. The best they could do was get a

first name from her. I was like How? If I put it inside her clothing, well, what

happens if that clothing gets taken off or lost? I can not permanently put it on

like a tattoo, either. Officer suggested like a medical bracelet. I know

a, some way she would get that off. I was wondering if anyone has any

suggestion on how I might even possibly accomplish this so just in case this

happens again or heaven forbid, someone takes her.

Thank you for your time and any suggestions.

Take care.

~ Tina Swann ~

(bonnie 12 connor 9 ADHD/Learning disabilities a 4 mosaic down

syndrome/Kidney reflux)

---------------------------------

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Tina,

I am so sorry to hear you went through this terrible ordeal! Thank GOD she is

ok!!!

I do have some suggestions.

First, buy an alarm to put on your door! You can get them at Walmart or Target.

They easily go on and are not real expensive, but when the door is opened, the

alarm goes off.

Second, I would suggest you buy shoe ID tags. I know she wasn't in her shoes at

the time, but in case she is and gets lost, it will help. There is a website for

some http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/KZT_006-z.html

Also, if you think she can wear a necklace, you could get her an ID " dog " tag.

Our Walmarts have machines where you can make your own for about $5.00.

Also, there are those wrist bands that I have talked about in the past.

http://www.ion-kids.com/index2.html

I think that an id tag that just says she has MDS wont really do much. Obviously

she has a speech problem, they don't need an id tag to tell them that! lol But,

one with an address and phone number would help. Mainly, you need to get the

door alarm.

Kristy

tina wrote:

I recently went through a horrible incident that I hope no one has gone

through... We almost lost our a and I never want to feel this way again.

Been a week and I still cannot sleep on my nights off from work and on the

nights I do work, I think of her all night long. Last weekend when it was

miserably cold and rainy , about 1 a.m., she got out of our apartment (my

husband did not hear her leave) on the 3rd floor. We have a bottom lock that

just twists to lock and we also have a deadbolt. (She unlocked both). I was

working. He called me about 2 30 in the morning saying she was gone! I was

numbed in a heartbeat! A 2 or 3 minute trip home lasted about 30 seconds this

time. As I got out of my car, I was screaming her name...he came out from our

building saying it was no use cause he was outside already for like a 1/2 hr

looking for her. We went inside and as soon as I got into our apartment, I

called 911. The dispatcher said said about 1 a.m. a call came in from a citizen

who said they had noticed a little girl wondering the Giant parking lot. At

this time, it was just past 2 30 - so that means they already had her for an

hour and a half. Supposedly, my husband got up to use the restroom about 2 am

and that is when he noticed she was not home. He went to look for her, then

called me. Well, a had left with no jacket on and no socks or shoes.

The shopping center is a good half mile from our place AND she had to cross a

main intersection to get to it. As I gave the police her description, they said

it matched the little girl in the hospital emergency room they picked up and

brought in. Thank the heavens! I was on my way out the door to go get her and

the dispatcher said for me to stay put an officer was on the way. Here I was

thinking she was coming home. Well, the officer showed up and he was alone,

once again my heart sank. I was just wanting my baby so bad. After he got all

her info and mine and my husband's, then I was to follow

him to the hospital to get her. I was crying beyond belief when I went into that

ER room and seen her. She just rubbed my cheek, and said, mommy ok? Of course,

I squeezed the crap out of her. She was not hurt in any way - thank goodness.

Even her bare feet were unscratched.

The officer who came to my apartment and the nurse at the ER suggested I some

how get info put on her to let people know of her down syndrome because they had

a hard time understanding her when she spoke. The best they could do was get a

first name from her. I was like How? If I put it inside her clothing, well, what

happens if that clothing gets taken off or lost? I can not permanently put it on

like a tattoo, either. Officer suggested like a medical bracelet. I know

a, some way she would get that off. I was wondering if anyone has any

suggestion on how I might even possibly accomplish this so just in case this

happens again or heaven forbid, someone takes her.

Thank you for your time and any suggestions.

Take care.

~ Tina Swann ~

(bonnie 12 connor 9 ADHD/Learning disabilities a 4 mosaic down

syndrome/Kidney reflux)

---------------------------------

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Angel,

Poor Lance is going to have to come down the chimney after curfew! That is

a

great idea for parents of teens!

Barb Martz

Re: How To ID your child........

Kristy's idea about the door chime is a good one... we have an alarm on our

house (previously burglarized) but I wanted it set up so that ANY door leading

out, chimes when it's opened (also because we have a pool) Many a time

that has come in handy, also letting us know when our older son comes IN, ha!

Walmart, Target, or even Radio Shack would definately have the

individual door sensors Kristy mentioned!

~~Angel~~

Mom to

12, Mosaic Down Syndrome/Hirschsprung's Disease

Lance 17, Tyler 13, 10

Jaeda 9 and Shayne 3

[Guest guest]

Tina;

I may goodness!!! Thank God that she is okay! That has always been my

biggest fear and my heart sank while reading your post. I can never watch those

tv shows where they are look for children because I can't sleep for days and

my children feel like I am smothering them.

I am so glad your situation turned out good!!!!! God Bless you all!!!

Beets

[Guest guest]

Tina, I can relate. When my daughter was about 5 years old, she wondered away

from home. We were completely fenced and gated, but I had gone to put the trash

out and not closed the gate. (It was an electric gate and we had a long

driveway, and when I went back through the garage, I didn't push the button to

close it.) So Katy went out to play and left through the gate. She wasn't out

there that long before I went to check and noticed it was awfully quiet and the

dog was gone too. We had 1.5 wooded acres and I ran the entire lot and then

remembered the gate and I went to all my neighbors and everyone was out looking

for her. Then I called 911 and reported her missing. My voice was quivering

and I was trying so hard not to loose it. Meantime, she had crossed kind of a

busy road and wondered upon this farmer's property and he came up on his tractor

and saw her and thought maybe he had company and asked his wife if they had

visitors, and they ended up calling 911 to report her. They were able to link

us up pretty quick - she wasn't that far from home, it was just very wooded.

Our dog stayed with her the whole time. I had called and called him, and I know

he could hear me but he didn't come, but stayed with Katy. The sheriff came out

and my husband met him at the farmer's house and brought her home. It was

scary. That was the only time and it was totally my fault for not closing the

gate. We have always fenced in our entire property so that she can play outside

and I can have peace of mind that she can't wander away.

She is now 14 and very good about staying home and with me wherever I go. She

is very stranger conscious and will get vocal if we are in a store and she is

not right with me. I may be looking at something just around the corner or on

the other side of the clothes rack and if she gets uncomfortable she will say,

very loudly, " Mom, where are you? "

Many of us have been in your shoes.

Charlotte

How To ID your child........

I recently went through a horrible incident that I hope no one has gone

through... We almost lost our a and I never want to feel this way again.

Been a week and I still cannot sleep on my nights off from work and on the

nights I do work, I think of her all night long. Last weekend when it was

miserably cold and rainy , about 1 a.m., she got out of our apartment (my

husband did not hear her leave) on the 3rd floor. We have a bottom lock that

just twists to lock and we also have a deadbolt. (She unlocked both). I was

working. He called me about 2 30 in the morning saying she was gone! I was

numbed in a heartbeat! A 2 or 3 minute trip home lasted about 30 seconds this

time. As I got out of my car, I was screaming her name...he came out from our

building saying it was no use cause he was outside already for like a 1/2 hr

looking for her. We went inside and as soon as I got into our apartment, I

called 911. The dispatcher said said about 1 a.m. a call came in from a citizen

who said they had noticed a little girl wondering the Giant parking lot. At

this time, it was just past 2 30 - so that means they already had her for an

hour and a half. Supposedly, my husband got up to use the restroom about 2 am

and that is when he noticed she was not home. He went to look for her, then

called me. Well, a had left with no jacket on and no socks or shoes.

The shopping center is a good half mile from our place AND she had to cross a

main intersection to get to it. As I gave the police her description, they said

it matched the little girl in the hospital emergency room they picked up and

brought in. Thank the heavens! I was on my way out the door to go get her and

the dispatcher said for me to stay put an officer was on the way. Here I was

thinking she was coming home. Well, the officer showed up and he was alone,

once again my heart sank. I was just wanting my baby so bad. After he got all

her info and mine and my husband's, then I was to follow

him to the hospital to get her. I was crying beyond belief when I went into

that ER room and seen her. She just rubbed my cheek, and said, mommy ok? Of

course, I squeezed the crap out of her. She was not hurt in any way - thank

goodness. Even her bare feet were unscratched.

The officer who came to my apartment and the nurse at the ER suggested I some

how get info put on her to let people know of her down syndrome because they had

a hard time understanding her when she spoke. The best they could do was get a

first name from her. I was like How? If I put it inside her clothing, well, what

happens if that clothing gets taken off or lost? I can not permanently put it on

like a tattoo, either. Officer suggested like a medical bracelet. I know

a, some way she would get that off. I was wondering if anyone has any

suggestion on how I might even possibly accomplish this so just in case this

happens again or heaven forbid, someone takes her.

Thank you for your time and any suggestions.

Take care.

~ Tina Swann ~

(bonnie 12 connor 9 ADHD/Learning disabilities a 4 mosaic down

syndrome/Kidney reflux)

---------------------------------

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

There's a fine line, but I'd be careful about where you put her name,

address, and phone number. I know it can help the police identify where she

belongs, but it could also give the " bad guys " an edge, too.

A.

Special Educator

Simon Kenton High School

(859)960-0348

cjones1@...

_____

From: MosaicDS [mailto:MosaicDS ] On Behalf

Of Martz

Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2005 1:25 AM

To: MosaicDS

Subject: Re: How To ID your child........

Dear Tina,

I have had nightmares that this same thing will happen to me someday

because Jonas wants to run away from us all the time. We have put so many

things into place to keep him here in the house at night, that adults can't

get my front door open to leave when they visit! I can imagine the horror

of it for you and your husband! I know that you can have cloth tags made up

with things written on them, like the ones you see in handmade clothing that

say, " Handmade with love by so and so " . I realize this would not help if

a took her clothes off, but if you had a tag on her pajamas and with

her name and phone, the ER could have called you right away in this case.

Maybe it would be worth putting tags with her name and phone, or your name

and phone in her clothes where the tag is, and on the front of her pajamas.

Jonas would remove a medic alert necklace, or bracelet, or ankle bracelet,

too! There is no way he would rest until he had that off. You can register

your child with a national registry for lost and exploited children I think,

so that you can be more easily reunited with your child if your child

becomes lost. I am sure someone here knows of it, or you could find it on

the net or get information about it from your local school, police station,

or your local politician's office would get you that information too. I

know you will get lots of great suggestions and I will be taking heed myself

as I could be in your shoes so easily. God Bless you and thanks be that

a is safe and sound. I know you imagine her going all that distance

alone, and all the bad things that could have happened. Try to imagine God

looking out over her and angels leading her into safe hands who held her up

until you could find her.

Hugs to you and a!

Barb Martz

Mom to Jonas 5 on Tuesday (MDS) & 10

How To ID your child........

I recently went through a horrible incident that I hope no one has gone

through... We almost lost our a and I never want to feel this way

again. Been a week and I still cannot sleep on my nights off from work and

on the nights I do work, I think of her all night long. Last weekend when

it was miserably cold and rainy , about 1 a.m., she got out of our apartment

(my husband did not hear her leave) on the 3rd floor. We have a bottom lock

that just twists to lock and we also have a deadbolt. (She unlocked both).

I was working. He called me about 2 30 in the morning saying she was gone! I

was numbed in a heartbeat! A 2 or 3 minute trip home lasted about 30

seconds this time. As I got out of my car, I was screaming her name...he

came out from our building saying it was no use cause he was outside already

for like a 1/2 hr looking for her. We went inside and as soon as I got into

our apartment, I called 911. The dispatch er said said about 1 a.m. a call

came in from a citizen

who said they had noticed a little girl wondering the Giant parking lot.

At this time, it was just past 2 30 - so that means they already had her for

an hour and a half. Supposedly, my husband got up to use the restroom about

2 am and that is when he noticed she was not home. He went to look for her,

then called me. Well, a had left with no jacket on and no socks or

shoes. The shopping center is a good half mile from our place AND she had

to cross a main intersection to get to it. As I gave the police her

description, they said it matched the little girl in the hospital emergency

room they picked up and brought in. Thank the heavens! I was on my way out

the door to go get her and the dispatcher said for me to stay put an officer

was on the way. Here I was thinking she was coming home. Well, the officer

showed up and he was alone, once again my heart sank. I was just wanting my

baby so bad. A fter he got all her info and mine and my husband's, then I

was to follow

him to the hospital to get her. I was crying beyond belief when I went

into that ER room and seen her. She just rubbed my cheek, and said, mommy

ok? Of course, I squeezed the crap out of her. She was not hurt in any

way - thank goodness. Even her bare feet were unscratched.

The officer who came to my apartment and the nurse at the ER suggested I

some how get info put on her to let people know of her down syndrome because

they had a hard time understanding her when she spoke. The best they could

do was get a first name from her. I was like How? If I put it inside her

clothing, well, what happens if that clothing gets taken off or lost? I can

not permanently put it on like a tattoo, either. Officer suggested like a

medical bracelet. I know a, some way she would get that off. I was

wondering if anyone has any suggestion on how I might even possibly

accomplish this so just in case this happens again or heaven forbid, someone

takes her.

Thank you for your time and any suggestions.

Take care.

~ Tina Swann ~

(bonnie 12 connor 9 ADHD/Learning disabilities a 4 mosaic

down syndrome/Kidney reflux)

---------------------------------

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Tina,

I am just horrified by your experience and thank God it turned out all right.

Short of tattooing her forehead (actually, I think God ought to have

permanently marked our names on our forehead at birth, and in large enough

type to

see when we turn 40+, so people like me know who we are talking with at the

grocery store) I think Medic-Alert bracelets are wonderful. We even gave

Christi a 14K gold one on one special occasion.

Judie Hockel, mom to Christi, 26 and others

[Guest guest]

Hahaaa Barb... yeah... it's definately been handy!! ::wink:

~~Angel~~

Mom to

12, Mosaic Down Syndrome/Hirschsprung's Disease

Lance 17, Tyler 13, 10

Jaeda 9 and Shayne 3