Thank you everyone. Hotspur, thanks for addressing the other part of my question. I have always wondered about the psychological implications, whether it would be a positive reminder, as you said for your dad, or a negative reminder of something one is trying to heal, in whatever way they believe may be efficacious.

I understand all of the practical reasons to wear one; on the other hand it reminds me a little of buying insurance, paying someone on a bet that we will have something terrible happen someday and need it.(I do believe in insurance, don't get me wrong.) I know that seems simplistic and extreme, but I'd like to find a happy medium. I suppose it will come down to the glass being half empty or half full, i.e. depends on the person's consciousness and that's it.

thanks,

kat