Resource Column

Resource Column

WHAT YOU ALWAYS
WANTED TO KNOW
BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO ASK
(Resource Column)

Inclusion of materials in this publication
is for information only and does not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action
Network of the NFB.

FREE VIDEO

Insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company is offering

a free VHS videocassette titled "Stop: Take Control of

Diabetes." To obtain a copy, while supplies last, call: 1-

800-785-3226.

DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Comforteze Sock Company manufactures large,

comfortable, non-binding, all-cotton socks. Sizes medium,

large, and extra large, they fit easily over bandages, and

provide relief for sore and swollen feet. Price $6 per

pair; money back guarantee. Call toll-free: 1-888-433-

6636.

TALKING LIFESCAN PROFILE

Myna Corporation, maker of the Voice Touch speech

synthesizer for the LifeScan One Touch II glucose monitor,

announces the Voice Touch Pro speech synthesizer for the One

Touch Profile. The Pro attaches firmly to the base of the

LifeScan monitor, and works entirely through the meter's

controls.

Purchasers may order the Voice Touch Pro with male or

female voice, and English or Spanish language speech. Myna

Corporation offers a one-year warranty. The unit is priced

at $189 (9-volt alkaline battery included). An AC adapter

is available for $15 additional, and a carrying case for

another $15. Myna Corporation also offers the LifeScan

Profile glucose monitor for $125. For information, contact:

Myna Corporation, 239 Western Avenue, Essex, MA 01929;

telephone: (508) 768-9000.

BEAT MEDICARE PAPERWORK

If you are an insulin-controlled diabetic, paying for

supplies with Medicare or private insurance, Diabetic

Medserv, Inc. will ship you your supplies and complete your

paperwork. They accept Medicare assignment, so you'd only

be liable for the 20%, and if you have private supplemental

insurance, you shouldn't owe anything at all! Diabetic

Medserv also stocks safe, simple, and reliable vacuum

therapy devices for male impotence. For information, call:

1-800-575-7557.

DIABETIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

The Anastasia Marie Diabetic Pure Skin Therapy Total

Skin Care System for Face & Body is a complete line of

products specifically formulated for diabetic dry skin,

including: Diapedic Foot Cream, Hand and Body Cream,

Azulene Night Repair, and Day Protection Formula SPF 15.

These products should be available at pharmacies nationwide.

For more information or ordering assistance call: Consumers

Choice Systems, Inc., Bellvue, WA 98005; telephone: 1-800-

479-5232.

REHABILITATION CENTERS

Many "blind rehab" centers offer training in the

adaptive skills of blindness, but the following three work

closely with the National Federation of the Blind, and

adhere to its philosophy: that with appropriate training,

equipment, and opportunity, blind people can be fully

independent, productive, and involved in the mainstream. If

you have need of training in non-visual computer skills,

travel skills, or general life skills, or know someone who

does, please consider:

B.L.I.N.D., Inc., Director: Joyce Scanlan, 100 E. 22nd

Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404; telephone: (612) 872-0100.

The Colorado Center for the Blind, Director: Homer

Page, 1830 S. Acoma Street, Denver, CO 80223-3606;

telephone: 1-800-401-4632.

The Louisiana Center for the Blind, Director: Joanne

Wilson, 101 S. Trenton, Ruston, LA 71270; telephone: 1-800-

234-4166 or (318) 251-2891.

TALKING COMPUTERS

Henter-Joyce, Inc., maker of the "JAWS" series of

computer screen readers, offers screen-to-speech software

such as "JAWS For WINDOWS" (JFW), now capable of reading

WINDOWS 95. The company promises shortly to release JAWS

for WINDOWS NT. Find out more at their website:

http://www.hj.com, or contact them for information: Henter-

Joyce, Inc., 11800 31st Court North, St. Petersburg, FL

33716; telephone: 1-800-336-5658; fax: (813) 803-8001;

email: [email protected].

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT

Maxi Aids is a supplier of adaptive equipment for the

blind. They offer a free catalog (in print), and stock many

diabetes-care items, such as talking glucose monitors,

tactile insulin measurement devices, and many other tactile

and low-vision products. For information, contact: Maxi

Aids, 42 Executive Boulevard, PO Box 3209, Farmingdale, NY

11735; telephone: 1-800-522-6294.

DIABETES SUPPLIES

Can-Am Care Corporation carries a full line of diabetes

supplies, including: test strips, Dex-4 glucose tablets,

skin cream, etc. The company also markets the Monoject line

of insulin syringes and lancets. Many Can-Am products are

also sold as "house brand" at major pharmacy chains.

For information, contact: Can-Am Care Corporation,

Cimetra Industrial Park, Box 98, Chazy, NY 12921-0098;

telephone: 1-800-461-7448.

TALKING CALLER ID BOX

Today many people enjoy the convenience of "caller ID"

service on their incoming phone calls. These machines help

you decide, before you pick up the phone, if you really want

to talk to that person right now. Now, caller ID service is

available to the blind. CIDney is a speech-equipped caller

ID box, that both recites the incoming caller's number and

allows you to pre-program a number of spoken IDs, such as

"Mom calling!" in your own voice (many sighted folks might

enjoy this feature too!). The CIDney units start at $59,

and are available from: Full Life Products, PO Box 490,

Mirror Lake, NH 03853; telephone: (603) 569-2240.

INSULIN VIAL IDENTIFICATION

The Ident-A-Cap system, manufactured by Terron, Inc.,

is a simple way to mark different insulin types, helping to

cut misidentification and dosage errors. Utilizing

brightly-colored plastic snap-caps with raised letters, it

can help pharmacists, caregivers, and some visually impaired

diabetics distinguish between insulins. Until the insulin

industry adopts uniform tactile vial markings, this may be a

worthwhile option. For information contact: Terron, Inc.,

202B North 4th Street, Sanger, TX 76266; telephone: 1-800-

862-2348.

ADAPTIVE COMPUTING

HumanWare, Inc., a leader in adaptive computer

technology for the blind and visually impaired, offers

Braille computer terminals, Braille printers, electronic

magnifiers (CCTVs), talking palmtop organizers, speech

synthesizers, adaptive software products, specially

configured talking computers, scanners and reading systems.

New to their catalog are the Kurzweil Omni 1000 and Omni

3000 text-to-speech systems, Ultimate Reader and TextHELP,

and the Braille Window display. For information about these

and other products, contact: HumanWare, Inc., 6245 King

Road, Loomis, CA 95650; telephone: 1-800-722-3393.

SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

FROM THE EDITOR: MI FINE SKIN is a line of skin care

products of interest to diabetics. The line includes a

cream, a lotion, and a soap-free cleanser, all appropriate

for the dry skin we face as a consequence of our diabetes.

I've used the lotion and the cream, and highly approve of

them both. The cream is especially appropriate for our dry

feet, and has been endorsed by diabetes educators and

podiatrists as appropriate for diabetic foot care (a useful

"diabetic foot care" pamphlet is furnished with the cream).

I tried the cream on my feet; it's not greasy, and it works!

The soap-free cleanser comes in two varieties: "for

normal, dry, or sensitive skin" (16 oz. bottle) and "for

oily skin" (8 oz. bottle). The face and body lotion comes

in an 8 oz. bottle, and the cream is packed in a 4 oz. jar.

FREE SAMPLES OF THE CREAM AND LOTION ARE AVAILABLE.

For information, or to obtain a free sample, contact:

MI SKIN, INC., 3645 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 321,

Shaker Heights, OH 44122; telephone: 1-800-754-6066.

DIABETES SUPPLIES

Heritage Diabetic Supply is a small, personalized

source for your diabetes needs (insulin included), offering

reasonable prices and one-on-one service. If you need

something hard to find (like Diascan test strips), they will

get it for you. Heritage handles Medicare and private

insurance paperwork (no HMOs), and offers a free RSG glucose

monitor just for signing up! Contact: Heritage Diabetic

Supply, PO Box 1270, Marion, NC 28752; telephone: 1-800-

267-6509.

SUGAR-FREE FOODS AVAILABLE

The following is an alphabetized list of suppliers and

manufacturers of low-calorie, low-fat products appropriate

to the diabetic diet.

BERNARD FOOD INDUSTRIES, Inc., PO Box 1037, Evanston,

IL 60204; telephone: 1-800-325-5409, offers a selection of

low-fat and sugar-free foods. Free catalog.

CALCO FOODS CO., Inc., 3540 W. Jarvis, Skokie, IL

60076; telephone: 800-325-5409, manufactures a line of

sugar-free and low-fat foods. Free catalog.

COZY CABIN SUGAR FREE PRODUCTS, 167 Portland Street,

St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; telephone: 1-800-525-2540, offers

a sugar-free maple syrup.

DIABETIC DELIGHT, Inc., 1298 W. Roger Blvd., PO Box

686, Skiatook, OK 74070; telephone: 1-800-396-7776, offers

sugar-free, low-fat, diabetes treats. Free catalog.

SUGAR FREE MARKETPLACE, 6710 N. University Drive,

Tamarac, FL 33321; telephone: 1-800-726-6191, offers a

selection of diabetic foods. Free catalog, in print or

tape.

THE SUGARLESS SHOP, 700 Merritt Blvd., Baltimore, MD

21222; telephone: (410) 282-7571, offers a selection of

diabetic foods. Free catalog.

FOOD EXCHANGE LIST

The current (1995) "Exchange Lists for Meal Planning"

is now available in Braille (74 pages) and on audiocassette.

This update, the result of a joint effort of the

American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic

Association, reflects the new emphasis on total carbohydrate

intake, rather than restricting specific sugar types. Users

should find its new orientation simpler, and its meal plans

vastly more flexible. In its new form, the Exchange List

will continue to play a pivotal role in dietary self-

management of diabetes.

To purchase, make tax deductible checks payable to:

National Federation of the Blind. Cost: Braille $10,

cassette $2. Order from: National Federation of the Blind,

Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230;

telephone: (410) 659-9314.

NEW BOOKS

"Stop the Rollercoaster" is the closest thing yet to an

"owner's manual" for diabetes. It contains chapters on

everything from types of diabetes to charting with

computers, from exercise to pregnancy, from tips on insulin

to ketoacidosis, and a great deal more. Packed with charts

and simple case studies, it offers the lay reader material

previously presented only in professional texts.

Written by diabetes educators John Walsh and Ruth

Roberts, and physician Lois Jovanovic-Peterson, "Stop the

Rollercoaster," priced at $21.95, is available direct from

Torrey Pines Press, 1030 West Upas Street, San Diego, CA

92103-3821; telephone: 1-800-988-4772; fax: (619) 497-

0900.

The "Diabetic Goodie Book" is a new text dealing with

that sweetest of subjects: dessert. Written by Kathy

Kochan, a cooking instructor at Joslin Diabetes Clinic in

Livingston, NJ, it tells you how to make over 150 different

cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, coffeecakes, fruit desserts,

puddings, pies, and more, all with full dietary and exchange

information, and all designed for the lowest possible impact

upon your diabetic meal plan. Ms. Kochan's book also

includes many substitutions, how-to's, and other useful

meal-planning information. "Don't cheat on your sweet

tooth," she states, and with the "Diabetic Goodie Book"

(price $15.95), you won't.

To order, contact: Appletree Press, Inc., 151 Good

Counsel Drive, Suite 125, Mankato, MN 56001; telephone:

507-345-4848.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ADVERTISERS

Effective advertising doesn't scream at its audience.

It persuades. It sells. The key to cost-effective

advertising is making your voice heard where an audience is

already listening. VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, circulation 195,

449, offers such an outlet. Make your voice heard. For

VOICE OF THE DIABETIC advertising information contact:

Eileen Rivera

National Advertising Sales Manager

726 E. Belvedere

Baltimore, MD, 21212

phone: (410) 435-3648

fax: (410) 435-6159

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SUBSCRIPTION/DONATION
FORM

The VOICE OF THE DIABETIC is a quarterly magazine

published by the Diabetes Action Network of the National

Federation of the Blind (NFB) for anyone interested in

diabetes, especially diabetics who are blind or are losing

vision. An outreach publication, it emphasizes good

diabetes control, diet, and independence.

Donations are gladly accepted and appreciated.

Contributions are not only tax deductible but are needed to

keep the VOICE and the Diabetes Action Network moving

forward to help people with all aspects of diabetes.

Members of the NFB Diabetes Action Network enjoy

priority services and unique benefits such as a continuous

free subscription to the VOICE, automatic access to

committees covering all aspects of diabetes, free counseling

concerning all facets of blindness and diabetes, as well as

access to diabetics who have experienced complications.

The VOICE is free to any interested person upon

request. Each subscription costs the Diabetes Action

Network approximately $20 per year. To help defray

publication expenses, members are invited, and nonmembers

are encouraged, to cover the subscription cost.

To begin receiving the VOICE, please check one:

[ ] I would like to become a member of the NFB Diabetes

Action Network and receive the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC.

(Members are entitled to special benefits.)

[ ] I would like to receive the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC as a

nonmember. (Nonmembers are encouraged to pay the

institutional rate of $20/one year; $35/two years;

$50/three years.)

Send the VOICE in (check one):

[ ] print [ ] cassette tape for the blind

[ ] both and physically handicapped

(recorded at slower-than-

standard speed of 15/16 IPS)

Optionally check this box:

[ ] I would like to make (or add) a tax-deductible

contribution of $__________ to the Diabetes Action

Network of the National Federation of the Blind.

Please print clearly

Name:__________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

City:______________________ State:________ Zip:__________

Telephone: ( )________________________

Send this form or a facsimile to:

Voice of the Diabetic
811 Cherry Street, Suite 309 Columbia, MO 65201

Please make all checks payable to: NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE BLIND