Editor's Note: Products described are for information only and inclusion does not imply endorsement of the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
Dry Skin Care
Diabetes can impair the body’s ability to make enough GLA, so Borage DiabetiCare provides GLA directly to the skin. To locate a retailer near you, please call DiabetiCare Labs; telephone: 1-888-544-3427, or visit their Web site: www.diabeticarelabs.com.
Take Type 2 Seriously
People think type 2 diabetes is “less serious” than type 1, because it is less spectacular. New diabetes statistics from the U.K. document the risk of early death from type 2 diabetes is up to three times that of a non-diabetic. More than 90 percent of all diabetics have type 2.
But type 2 diabetes is treatable and often preventable, and those who take early action improve their odds of avoiding complications. Get tested. If you don’t have it, great. If you do, start a diet and exercise program NOW!
Health Care Answers By Phone
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) offers Health Care Answers. BCBS maintains a library of more than 270 tapes on health care topics, ranging from allergies to vertigo. Call: (888) 485-2583. You can access the line 24 hours a day. You can speak to an experienced registered nurse about your health concerns.
BCBS prefers this service be utilized by its own members, but assures the Voice it will not turn anyone away.
Low Vision Glasses
If you are dealing with low vision, and could benefit from wearable glasses with 2x magnification, check out Humanware’s MaxTV glasses. They’ll help you with television, long distance viewing, and other activities. Contact: Humanware; 1-888-204-7921; Web site: www.humanware.com.
Terrific Diabetes Literature from NFB
The NFB maintains an extensive literature collection, with free materials on many subjects, including diabetes. Order your free copy of Diabetes Action Network Articles. You can also buy the ADA Exchange List for Meal Planning, 2003 Edition in Braille for $10; or on tape, $2.
To order, contact: NFB Materials Center, 1800 Johnson St., Baltimore, MD 21230; (410) 659-9314. You may also order via email: [email protected]. The Center is open 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST, Monday thru Friday.
Low Vision Optometrists
The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists is a consortium of optometrists interested in serving people with diminished vision. They are ready to advise you on appropriate treatment and assistive devices. Contact: Richard Shuldiner, OD, FAAO, (888) 610-2020.
Talk is Cheap, or Should Be
Independent Living Aids (ILA) is a good source for low-vision adaptive
devices. Many of them speak, helping you perform daily tasks without sight,
and most are quite inexpensive. For a free catalog, contact: ILA at P.O. Box
9022, Hicksville, NY 11802;
(800) 537-2118; email: [email protected].
Diabetes Supplies
American Diabetic Supply, Inc. will ship your diabetes supplies to your door. They handle all insurance claims and provide free delivery. Folks with Medicare and/or private insurance (no HMOs) may receive supplies at no further cost. For information, contact: American Diabetic Supply, Inc., 400 S. Atlantic Ave., Suite 108, Ormond Beach, FL 32176; (800) 453-9033, ext. 200; Web site: www.americandiabeticsupply.com.
Adaptive Computing Equipment
Freedom Scientific, a powerhouse adaptive equipment maker, offers
screen magnifiers (including MAGic and JAWS software), talking attachments (voice
synthesizers) for your computer, scanner/reading machines like the new SARA,
Braille printers and more. Whether you need adaptive software or hardware, check
out: Freedom Scientific; (800) 444-4443; Web site: www.freedomscientific.com.
LifeScan’s SureStep Recall
LifeScan makes many blood glucose monitors, including the One Touch SureStep, the subject of this notice. Most meters display their results on a liquid crystal display (LCD). Given time, or climate extremes, any LCD can fail, but LifeScan reports certain SureStep meters are more likely to fail.
If your OneTouch SureStep has a serial number between L3152Rxxxxxx and L5348Rxxxxxx, it is affected by this recall. Please call LifeScan Customer Service, anytime, at (866) 679-9248 and they will replace your meter AT NO CHARGE.
Read the Paper by PHONE with NFB-NEWSLINE®
NFB-NEWSLINE® makes daily newspapers and magazines accessible by phone. Users listen to the news via synthesized voice. No computer is needed and it is FREE! To subscribe contact: NFB-NEWSLINE®, 1800 Johnson St., Baltimore, MD 21230; (866) 504-7300.
No More “Postage Due”
Postage rates just went up. It costs us a lot more to get Voice of the
Diabetic to you, and to everybody else who needs it. You can help. Please
keep us up-to-date on your current address. Contact: Voice of the Diabetic,
1200 West Worley, Columbia, MO 65203;
(573) 875-8911; email: [email protected].