Drs. Maurer & Wilson:
I am a current member of the National Federation of the Blind here in the wonderful
state of Nebraska. I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and began
treatment including medication, diet changes and exercise. Upon discovering
that checking my blood sugar would be a regular thing, I joined the Diabetes
Action Network (DAN) and the diabetes talk list on NFBnet.
Let me tell you what I have gained in just a short time of involvement with
this wonderful group of people:
1. Information:
Carb counting was new territory for me; planning balanced meals a new frontier.
I knew I needed a map (of sorts) for navigating this new territory. The people
on the diabetes list referred me to articles from Voice of the Diabetic
that had the very information I needed for planning meals, among other things.
I found articles on finger-sticking techniques (for doing the blood sugar checks
on a glucometer) and even dealing with stress. There is a wealth of information
to be found in Voice of the Diabetic, and I’ve only scratched
the surface.
2. Support:
I admit, despite knowing that diabetes is in my family, I took the diagnosis
very hard. Upon joining the diabetes talk list, I found immediately a network
of people who (because of their love, encouragement, camaraderie, understanding
and so much else) is more aptly described as a family...much like the Federation
as a whole. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that the DAN is a family
within the Federation family. I say this because they have shown love and support
and affirmed me at times I felt afraid (especially of the finger sticking),
and reminded me that it’s okay to be afraid, but it’s what you do
with that fear—how you handle that fear—that matters. I…wish
that I… [could] meet these people in person and give each and every one
of them the biggest bear hug my six foot frame would allow.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I felt it important for you to know just what the Diabetes Action Network and Voice of the Diabetic means to someone like me.
Sincerely,
Alan Wheeler
Editor’s notes: Dr. Marc Maurer is President of the National Federation of the Blind; Dr. Joanne Wilson is Executive Director for Affiliate Action. To join the National Federation of the Blind/Diabetes Action Network chat list via the World Wide Web, visit http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk or, via email, send a message with subject or body ‘help’ to [email protected]. You can reach the person managing the list at [email protected].