Includes Art: Hand removing book from shelf.
Inclusion of materials in this publication is for information only and does not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
New Email Diabetes List
Our Diabetes Action Network now offers its own listserv: [email protected]. Although its primary focus is on blindness and diabetes, any and all discussions concerning diabetes are welcome. We welcome topics like: diet, devices, healthcare, diabetes control, and how to improve the Voice of the Diabetic. Remember, please do not give any direct medical advice, unless you are a medical professional. Membership is free.
There are two ways to sign up. You can go to the following Web site: www.nfbnet.org/mailman.listinfo/diabetes-talk or you can sign up by email, by sending a message to: [email protected] and putting “subscribe” in the subject line.
Tax Help
For assistance with completing your year 2003 tax forms, you can telephone the Internal Revenue Service, toll-free: 1-800-829-1040; Web site: www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs
Large Print Books
Many people keep up with the latest bestsellers through book clubs. They’re bargains. The problem has been all the books came in standard print, and some of us need something bigger. Doubleday, a major book publisher, has come to the rescue. Check out the Doubleday Large Print Book Club. All text is 14 point or larger, and the books are up to 30% cheaper than publisher’s list price. Get your bestsellers in a font you can read more easily. Contact: Doubleday Large Print Book Club, PO Box 6338, Camp Hill, PA 17001-9058; Web site: www.joinDLP.com
Adaptive Computing Equipment
Freedom Scientific is a powerhouse adaptive equipment maker for the blind and visually impaired computer user. A union of Arkenstone, Blazie Engineering, and Henter-Joyce, Freedom Scientific offers screen magnifiers (including MAGic 9 software, which both magnifies up to 16x and speaks the words on the screen), talking attachments (voice synthesizers) for your computer, Braille printers and much more. Whether you need adaptive software or hardware, check them out: Freedom Scientific; telephone: 1-800-444-4443; Web site: www.freedomscientific.com
Full Service Diabetes Supplier
Access Diabetic Supply promises free delivery, no paperwork, and free in-home training in the use of blood glucose testing devices. Your private insurance is welcome, and they accept Medicare, too. They offer free blood glucose monitors to folks who sign up. Check them out online: www.diabeticsupply.com or call: 1-800-713-7062.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, A RAFFLE
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind reaches out and provides support and information to thousands of people. Because it costs to operate this valuable network and to produce the Voice of the Diabetic, we must generate funds to help cover these expenses. Our Diabetes Action Network has elected to hold a raffle.
THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The winning ticket will be drawn, and the winner's name announced, on July 4, 2004, at the banquet held during the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind.
Raffle tickets cost $1 each, or a book of six may be purchased for $5. Tickets may be purchased from state representatives of our Diabetes Action Network or by contacting the Voice Editorial Office, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203; telephone: (573) 875-8911. Anyone interested in selling tickets should also contact the Voice Editorial Office. Tickets are available now! Names of persons who sell 50 tickets or more will be announced in the Voice.
Please make checks payable to the National Federation of the Blind. Money and sold raffle ticket stubs must be mailed to the Voice office no later than June 10, 2004, or they can be personally delivered to Voice Editor Ed Bryant, at this year's NFB convention in Atlanta, Georgia. This raffle is open to anyone age 18 or older, and the holder of the lucky raffle ticket need not be present to win. Each ticket sold is a donation, helping keep our Diabetes Action Network moving forward.
Relief
Many diabetics suffer from dry feet. It "goes with the territory." They hurt, they itch, they dry out and crack, and you need to do something about it. Sometimes neuropathy, nerve inflammation, in your feet can really drive you 'round the bend. But Steuart Laboratories offers help. Steuart's Foot Cream, with melalenca oil, is excellent for dry diabetic feet. Steuart's CNS Liposomes offers relief from neuropathy; also good for back, muscle, and joint pain. Prices (2 oz. jar): $9.25 plus shipping for the Foot Cream; $19.80 for the CNS Liposomes. Contact: Steuart Laboratories, PO Box 297, Harmony, MN 55939; telephone: 1-800-210-9665; Web site: www.steuartlabs.com
Healthy Cookbooks
JoAnna Lund writes healthy cookbooks. They are simple, “common folks” recipes, and all contain both complete nutrient counts and diabetic exchanges. There are three titles: Fast, Cheap, and Easy; Grandma Jo’s Soup Kettle; and Fresh From the Hearth. Price is $10 each, or $25 for all three. There is no shipping charge. Contact: Healthy Exchanges, PO Box 80, DeWitt, IA 52742; telephone: 1-800-766-8961; Web site: www.healthyexchanges.com
New Diabetes Resource List
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind will shortly offer the 2004-2005 edition of Diabetes Resources: Equipment, Services and Information, our comprehensive list of resources for diabetics. Diabetes Resources is our compilation of companies and individuals offering products and/or information to help diabetics, especially those who are blind or are losing vision, self-manage their diabetes. The list contains many subject categories, including: Insulin Measurement Devices, Insulin Syringe Magnifiers, Insulin Injection Systems, Diabetic Foot Care, Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems, Insulin Pumps, Products for the Blind, Food and Diet, Literature and Information, Distributors of Diabetes Equipment and Supplies, and Medication Assistance.
Blind diabetics can and do accurately draw up insulin, monitor blood glucose, and perform the other tasks of independent self-management. By using alternative techniques and products, they can continue being independent, and control their diabetes as efficiently as do their sighted peers. Limitations are usually self-imposed--often all that is needed to overcome negative thinking is simply to know where to go for information.
Diabetes Resources: Equipment, Services, and Information (2004-2005 Edition)
will cost $5 per copy, and will be available in Braille, large print, and audiocassette
(recorded at 15/16 IPS for the blind), after February 1, or you can access it
on the NFB Web site: www.nfb.org/diabres.htm
Please order from: National Federation of the Blind, Materials Center, 1800
Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314. Note: the NFB
Materials Center is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
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 with no further cost. For information, contact: American Diabetic Supply, Inc., 400 S. Atlantic Ave., Suite 108, Ormond Beach, FL 32176; telephone: 1-800-453-9033; Web site: www.americandiabeticsupply.com.
Treat Male Impotence
Diabetes can produce male sexual dysfunction/impotence, but very often this condition is treatable. For many men, vacuum therapy may be the best choice -- and it requires no drugs or medications. Augusta Medical Systems offers SomaTherapy-ED, effective, drug-free, and lifetime guaranteed. They’ll send you a free patient information kit. For information, telephone: 1-800-827-8382.
Free Diabetes Literature
The National Federation of the Blind maintains an extensive literature collection, with free materials on many subjects available in a variety of formats. Twenty-three articles on aspects of diabetes, all previously published in the Voice, regularly updated, have been assembled into a single volume, available in large print and four-track audiocassette, titled: “Diabetes Action Network Articles.” Both formats are free of charge. To order, or to request a complete NFB literature catalog, contact: NFB Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314. You may also order by email: [email protected]. The Materials Center is open 8:00 p.m. to 5 p.m., EST, weekdays.
Full Service Diabetes Supplier
DS Medical Supply is a full-service supplier with a catalog of more than 55,000 items, dealing with diabetes, its complications, and many other medical supplies, delivered to your home. Diabetes products range from glucose monitors by Bayer and LifeScan, and the AccuChek VoiceMate talking glucose monitor, strips, lancets and other supplies, to diabetic orthotics/foot care items, and much more. They accept Medicare, private insurance, some HMOs, and, in most states, direct or crossover Medicaid. Contact: DS Medical, 2105 Newport Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043-5561; telephone: 1-888-724-4357, Web site: www.dsmedical.com
Keynote Address
Every year, during the first week of July, our Diabetes Action Network holds its national seminar and business meeting, during the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind. Every year, we seek an individual prominent in diabetes to address our seminar. This year, 2004, we will meet in Atlanta, Georgia, which, incidentally, is home to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Dr. Frank Vinicor heads the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, and he will present the keynote address, on the future of diabetes control. He will be accompanied by ophthalmologist Dr. Jinan Saaddine. Join us, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303; telephone: (404) 521-0000.
Voice Formats
Voice of the Diabetic is offered in two formats: standard print, and 15/16 IPS audiocassette, "talking book" speed. Anyone who is currently receiving the Voice in print and having difficulty reading it, may receive it on cassette at no charge. Voice tapes require the special tape player available free to the legally blind from Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which can be obtained by telephoning the National Library Service at: 1-800-424-8567. Note: Attempting to play Voice tapes (or any other tapes recorded in NLS format) on a conventional music-speed tape player will yield incomprehensible "chipmunk sounds."
The Voice is also available by email, distributed quarterly. Go to: www.nfbcal.org/listserv-signup.html to sign up.
Periodically we receive requests for the Voice in Braille or large print. It is not available in either of those formats at this time.
All a subscriber needs to do, to switch from standard print to tape, or to receive both formats, free of charge, is contact us at the Voice of the Diabetic Editorial Office.
Diabetic Supplies Online
Pharmacist Bryan Luna, Rph, offers diabetes supplies, including glucose monitors, online at www.diabeticsupplies.com. This convenient Web site is simply laid out, and can be accessed in large print, too. For those without the Internet, telephone: 1-877-787-7543. They will file your Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance forms. Free product catalog; 30-day money-back guarantee.
To Our Readers
To hold down costs, both the Voice and many of our divisional mailings are sent via "bulk mail." When we have your current address, this works very well, but when we don't, the Post Office throws the Voice away, or returns it to us with a hefty "postage due" attached. They do NOT automatically forward bulk mail!
If you move, please let us know promptly. If the Voice doesn't follow you to your new address, we may not have your new address. Don't miss a single issue.
Diabetic Foot Information on Tape
Podiatrist Kenneth B. Rehm, DPM, limits his practice to the diabetic foot, and he has a great deal of useful information to impart. On July 6, 2002, he addressed the Diabetes Action Network’s annual meeting, and we recorded his speech. Titled: “Diabetes, Neuropathy, and The Feet,” it is now available, on normal-speed audiocassette, for $2 per copy, from: National Federation of the Blind, Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314; Web site: www.nfb.org
New Diabetic Exchange List
The “exchange system” has been around for years. A generation of diabetics, blind and sighted, grew up using the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Exchange List for Meal Planning. The National Federation of the Blind offered the ADA Exchange List in accessible format, Braille and 4-track audiocassette.
The ADA Exchange List has been revised and enlarged. The new 2003 version now deals with carbohydrate counting, with fast foods, and with substitutions. The meal planning lists have been reworked, and there are new categories.
For a copy of the Exchange List for Meal Planning, 2003, in standard print, contact the ADA: telephone: 1-800-232-3472; Web site: www.diabetes.org/health/nutrition/exchangelist.jsp. For a copy in alternative format (Braille, $10, or 4-track audiocassette, $2), contact the National Federation of the Blind, Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314; Web site: www.nfb.org
Diabetes Supplies
Do you get tired of having to "shop around" for your various diabetes items? "Go to this place for these; to that place for those ..." Do something about it. Check out diabetesstore.com, the leading online source for discount diabetes products. Contact them by telephone: 1-800-891-9399; or Web site: www.diabetesstore.com
Easy Diabetic Cookbook
If you want to prepare healthy diabetic meals, but find most cookbooks just too complicated, you need Linda Coffee and Emily Cale's new and improved Diabetic 4 Ingredient Cookbook. There are almost twice as many recipes as before, 350, in all food categories, with complete nutritional and exchange information, each one using four ingredients. The book costs $19.95 (+$3.50 shipping), from: Coffee and Cale, PO Box 2121, Kerrville, TX 78029; telephone: 1-800-757-0838; www.fouringredientcookbook.com
Articles Needed
If you have diabetes, are a family member or friend of a diabetic, or a health professional with an interest in diabetes, we invite you to submit an article for publication in the Voice of the Diabetic.
Our philosophy regarding diabetes is positive. Do you have an inspiring, enlightening story? We, the Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind, seek to show people they are not alone, and do have options, regardless of diabetic complications. If you have experienced ramifications, others, who may be facing the same side-effects, could benefit from what you have to say.
Perhaps you have not experienced complications--your unique insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle can still inspire others. Are you a relative, a friend, or a health professional? More than 329,433 Voice readers could benefit from your story.
For information and article submission guidelines, contact: Voice of the Diabetic, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203; telephone: (573) 875-8911.