by MrFreeze 12 Replies latest jw friends
I'm curious to know when you all got rid of your blood card. Do you still have it? Did you destroy it after you left? Before you left?
For those who are still stuck in, do you have your blood card filled out? Do you actually keep it on you?
In my case, as soon as I determined in my heart that I was done with the JW's, I ripped it into a million pieces. I was still a JW at the time, and remained one for the next few months.
I have mine in my wallet - I marked a huge black "VOID" across every section. I was afraid that if I didn't have it in my wallet and marked void that if I got hurt in an accident somehow the elders would beat Just Ron to the hospital and I might suffer permanent damage or die due to the delay in receiving proper treatment. I deleted the "In case of emergency" contact on my phone that was one of the elders, but their numbers are still in there so I can see who is calling me.
They are not "cards" as permanent healthcare power of attorney documents that are not renewed each year unless you move to another state in the US, change your name, or choose someone new to be a healthcare agent.
I got rid of mine some time ago, but I have issued a new HC power of attorney with my new non-jw wishes. Notify and give a copy to your doctors, dentist, clinic, any hospitals you have attended, and of course your healthcare agents.
*** km 12/04 p. 7 New Provision to Assist Us to Abstain From Blood ***
The Governing Body has approved combining the essential elements of the durable power of attorney (DPA) document and the Advance Medical Directive/Release card into a single legal document, which we shall refer to generally as a DPA card. A DPA card has been prepared for each state. The actual title of the DPA card varies from state to state.
You will need to fill out the DPA card for your state of residence only. The DPA card is valid indefinitely anywhere in the United States and will serve as a statement of your wishes when you travel internationally. In the future, you should fill out a new DPA card if (1) you need to make any changes to your DPA card, such as changing your wishes, health-care agents, addresses, and telephone numbers, or (2) your DPA card has been lost or destroyed.
The DPA card should be prayerfully considered and carefully filled out at home. However, before signing the card, it is important that the legal formalities be closely followed. For example, if your card says that two witnesses are required to see you sign, they should be present when you sign it. Book study overseers may periodically check with those who have not filled out new cards to see if assistance is needed.
Before folding the DPA card, make good-quality photocopies for your health-care agent, alternate health-care agent, and doctor as well as for your own records. You may also want to provide copies for other family members and the congregation secretary. Copies should be single-sided on standard-size (8 1/2″ x 11″) paper, with the DPA card centered on the page. The original DPA card, not a photocopy, should be kept on your person.
The Identity Card with the print date of 3/99 for unbaptized children of Witness parents has not changed. Parents should ensure that a card for each minor child is properly filled out and signed and that the child carries it at appropriate times.
Unbaptized publishers may adapt the language of the DPA card and Identity Card in order to write out health-care instructions for themselves and their children. The secretary should provide a DPA card for all newly baptized publishers during the year.
I still have it in my drawer , as a momento of a misspent life......I now wear a medical alert pendant that says, among other things, that my family are J W's and would not be allowed to consent to a blood transfusion, but it is my wish that if my life is endangered that I do receive one..
It is VERY IMPORTANT also to ensure that your medical records at your doctor no longer state that you are a Witness. I have created a "Living Will" that says a similar message and that is in my medical notes at the G P ...
I quit carrying one 4 or 5 years before I quit going to meetings. I recently went to a new Family Doctor and when I filled out my paperwork, it was a small personal victory to be able to put "None" in the "Religion" box.
Despite my unique situation, I got rid of mine a bit after leaving the cult, not immediately.
I was totally brainwashed into believing doctors didn't know the facts about Ringer's Lactate and had cognitive dissonance about the hypovolemia I had experienced.
I left in the late 80s, in the heat of the AIDS crisis. My cohorts were dying from infected clotting factor and there was no safe product available to me.
I was like Dontplaceliterature, I didn't carry one for years before leaving, I don't really know why.
My wife and I were both lax about getting one signed, even if we did that one year because a Nazi Elder was watching all his group do it, we never carried one .
I still cannot work out why this was our attitiude, we believed the ban on blood was a genuine Bible doctrine at the time, so why were we so rebellious ?
I tore mine up into little bits and trashed it when I got a new wallet soon after my first attempt to leave the JW's. When I went back, that was one thing I never got renewed.
And just like dontplaceliterature, I got a sense of smug satisfaction when I was able to put "none" in the "Religion" section at my doctor's office...as well as answer "YES" to the question as to whether I would accept a blood transfusion. Too many people need me for me to in essence commit suicide over a stupid made-up cult rule that isn't even based on the bible, let alone reality.
tearing up the card is not enough. I recently realised that the NHS has my old religion as part of my patient record. You may need to alert healthcare professionals of your change of viewpoint or in an emergency a hospital may assume you retain your original stand on blood.
My card is in my ashtray in my car. I took it out my wallet years ago, but to be honest, my friends who signed it were some of my closest, and so I keep it.
I think it is a good idea to put VOID across it if you still have it in your wallet or car. I do have a POA somewhere, but I no longer go to the doctor (a few states away) I gave a copy to. Still an elder or friend may have a copy. Although, no one has contacted me in years, so I don't know how that could play an issue into anything now.
Hmmm. I'm going to go to my car right now and write VOID on my medical directive and then remove it from my ashtray. I'm sure I can find another place for it without it being detrimental to my health.
