Joyce Fishman has made it her mission to talk about a neon index card that she said saved her life.
Several years ago, the Merriam resident and her husband, Morris, were involved in a car accident. They were both unconscious by the time emergency responders arrived. But before she lost consciousness, Fishman pulled the neon card from her purse and held it in her hand.
The card listed personal information that included her name, date of birth, emergency contacts, medical alerts, food and drug allergies, and currently prescribed medications.
“This card saved my life because I was on a blood thinner, and I have severe drug allergies,” Fishman said.
Fishman wants to save others’ lives and asked the Merriam Police Department to start handing out these bright, colored cards.
Major Darren McLaughlin said residents can fill out a card online or pick one up from the Merriam Police Department. He recommends people fill out these cards and place them in their purse, billfold, or vehicle’s glove department.
“Providing first responders with any lifesaving information is vital,” Major McLaughlin said. “Having a tool, like the neon index cards, that can be instantly recognizable and accessible can be the difference between a story with a happy ending like that of Ms. Fishman or a tragic one.”
Fishman said she will continue to tell everyone she knows about the card to let them know how it can potentially save their life.
