LC wearing a silver coloured bracelet

[bridger15]

This wonderful photo was included in a Google alert recently and the bracelet caught my eye immediately.
Several members of my family, including sonLeonard, wear a Medic Alert bracelet that looks similar.
Is this a Medic-Alert bracelet? ---Arlene

[seadove]

Well it certainly isn't a diabetes alert. That is usually made from plastic. I know this because a friend of mine wears one.

I would imagine that the other medic alerts would be made from plastic, to distinguish them from fashion ornaments and thus would be more "warning" oriented.

[DrHGuy]

Turns out there are medical alert bracelets for diabetes and other conditions that are similar in appearance to the one worn by Leonard Cohen in that (and other) photos.

medalert.jpg (37.88 KiB) Viewed 2896 times

But I don't think it's a medical alert bracelet.

Until someone comes up with a convincing explanation for the bracelet my theory, supported exclusively by my desire for it to be true, is that it could be an identification bracelet used by his father during WWI. Something like this bracelet owned by a WWI Canadian soldier.

milid2.jpg (49.21 KiB) Viewed 2896 times

My findings and more photos are at Speculations On Leonard Cohen’s Bracelet http://1heckofaguy.com/2012/04/20/specu ... -bracelet/

[bridger15]

I like the possibility of LC wearing his father’s military ID bracelet.
Now I am really curious.

---Arlene

[hydriot]

If the photo was taken in the sixties, it would be too early for a medic alert. It looks like the sort of chain commonly used on a fob-watch. (My father had one, because a watch on his wrist caused inflammation: probably a minor allergy to leather).

But commonly such chains had a small plaque with a loved one's name engraved on it. (Tattoos were not popular then, unless you were Popeye The Sailor Man).

[Maarten]

If the photo was taken in the sixties, it would be too early for a medic alert.

Hydriot,
This photograph is part of a series by David Boswell from 1978:
http://davidboswell.ca/index2_files/%20 ... en-09.html

I too like the idea of the military ID bracelet, but I wouldn't have a clue if it actually is one...

Maarten

[DrHGuy]

Arlene, Maarten, and the rest of us romantics have again had our wishes fulfilled by Leonard Cohen.

An email from Leonard Cohen confirms that the bracelet in the photos is indeed a military ID band given to his father, Nathan, by Nathan's father, Lyon.

The email, which also explains why the bracelet was only seen in photos for a brief period, can be found at http://1heckofaguy.com/2012/04/21/story ... ard-cohen/

[lizzytysh]

How wonderful... not just his father, but his grandfather. Thanks to Arlene for your observations and inquisitiveness, Arlene. Thanks to Leonard for clarifying it for us. It appears to be in very good shape, too. Okay, now I'm off to read the rest about it. Thanks for bringing us the answers, Allan.

[Amalthea]

Oh dear, how wonderful, indeed. My romantic heart is aching over stories like this, it's so touching. I'm sorry to hear it was lost, though.

Amazing observation skills, Arlene, and thanks for bringing us the answer, Allan. : )

[leonardmtl]

This discussion and its satisfying conclusion has got to be the defining height of Cohenitis -Freud would have been intrigued with our group!

Leonard from Montreal

[bridger15]

This discussion and its satisfying conclusion has got to be the defining height of Cohenitis -Freud would have been intrigued with our group!

I feel we are very lucky to have this wonderful forum where we can discuss aspects like this.
So may I extend a big thank you to Jarkko and all the active moderators for working so hard to maintain the Forum for us.

---Arlene

[holydove]

Wow, thank you so much, Allan, for sharing Leonard's very touching email with us!!

I've been following this intriguing discussion, & am so glad that the mystery has been solved.

Thank you to Arlene for bringing it to our attention, & thank you to Leonard for your very kind & moving response.

(I wonder if anyone ever found the lost bracelet somewhere, & in whose lucky hands it may have landed)

[seadove]

Turns out there are medical alert bracelets for diabetes and other conditions that are similar in appearance to the one worn by Leonard Cohen in that (and other) photos.

medalert.jpg

But I don't think it's a medical alert bracelet.

Until someone comes up with a convincing explanation for the bracelet my theory, supported exclusively by my desire for it to be true, is that it could be an identification bracelet used by his father during WWI. Something like this bracelet owned by a WWI Canadian soldier.

milid2.jpg

My findings and more photos are at Speculations On Leonard Cohen’s Bracelet http://1heckofaguy.com/2012/04/20/specu ... -bracelet/

This medic alert ornament only says "Medic Alert" and that's all. It does not mention what kind of alert the wearer is expecting from those who can medically help. It may cause more damage than good.

[DrHGuy]

Turns out there are medical alert bracelets for diabetes and other conditions that are similar in appearance to the one worn by Leonard Cohen in that (and other) photos.

The attachment medalert.jpg is no longer available

But I don't think it's a medical alert bracelet.

Until someone comes up with a convincing explanation for the bracelet my theory, supported exclusively by my desire for it to be true, is that it could be an identification bracelet used by his father during WWI. Something like this bracelet owned by a WWI Canadian soldier.

The attachment milid2.jpg is no longer available

My findings and more photos are at Speculations On Leonard Cohen’s Bracelet http://1heckofaguy.com/2012/04/20/specu ... -bracelet/

This medic alert ornament only says "Medic Alert" and that's all. It does not mention what kind of alert the wearer is expecting from those who can medically help. It may cause more damage than good.

Medical IDs ("MedicAlert" is actually a name owned by the MedicAlert Foundation but the idea is the same) include bracelets, dog tags, necklaces, watches, leather sports bands, anklets, medallions, ... which can be purchased pre-engraved with the pertinent information (name, phone, MD's contact info, health condition, etc) or purchased as blanks which the buyer has engraved or to which the buyer applies stickers. Amazon, for example, sells a bracelet that is purchased and delivered imprinted with only the medical alert symbol; the purchaser also receives stickers to apply to the bracelet: "Stickers included are: Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Diabetes, Blood Thinner, Heart Patient, Pacemaker, Asthma, Organ Donor, Bleeding Disorder, Seizure Disorder, Penicillin Allergy, Memory Loss, NO BP/IV/IM for right arm and left arm"

Some Medical IDs have the medical alert symbol and information on the same side.

medbracw.jpg (11.32 KiB) Viewed 2601 times

Some have the symbol on one side and the information on the flip side.

medalert.jpg (13.14 KiB) Viewed 2601 times

Some have the symbol with or without some of the info on the outside and the healthcare info inside the bracelet (or locket or whatever)

medical-alert-bracelet-300x231.jpg (17.82 KiB) Viewed 2599 times

The medical alert bracelet shown in the earlier post is one that displays the MedicAlert symbol on one side and the individual's pertinent info on the other.

[LisaLCFan]

"Way cool," indeed!