Like what you see? The bracelets you see (with the exception of the red braided bracelet) were designed by my friend Jaime to raise money for the International Essential Tremor Foundation and The NYU Movement Disorders Center. Jaime was recently diagnosed with Essential Tremor (ET) and has been living (and struggling with the symptoms of it) for the past several months.
I had never heard of ET before and, being the sucker for fashion that I am, only learned about it when I noticed one of her bracelets in a Facebook post. Also known as familial tremor, benign essential tremor or hereditary tremor, essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. The symptoms of the disease also make it difficult to distinguish from Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Treatment includes a combination of various medications such as Neurontin and Topamax but from what I have learned is that less than 60% of people are effectively helped by drug therapy. For hard-to-manage tremors, surgical therapy may be effective in the form of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), where an electrode is placed in the thalamus and is connected to a pacemaker implanted near the collarbone; the electrode and the pacemaker help to block brain activity that causes tremors by way of electrical pulses. Either way, a person diagnosed with ET will have their lives altered tremendously. Instead of being defeated by her diagnosis, Jaime has decided to take action and help to raise awareness and money for research to help people with ET achieve the highest quality of life.
These adorable multicolored bracelets signify several things: the International Essential Tremor Foundation (green and black), the NYU Movement Disorders Center (violet and white) and Parkinson’s Disease (silver – studies have suggested that people with ET have a higher chance of developing PD). They are Pura Vida bracelets that are adjustable (with an adorable pink cord) and waterproof so that you can wear them all the time. I stack them with other bracelets as they are so neutral and also part of the trend of creating a personalized arm party of friendship bracelets, hair ties, bangles and charm bracelets. I have only been wearing these strands on my wrist for a day and have already been getting comments on them. They are available for $5 each. For more information you can email me or send me a message and I can provide you with the details of how to order these from Jaime.
TheTrendySmile 