Food for Thought

Food for Thought

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We invite blurbs
and tidbit articles for inclusion in this column. Materials received may be
edited and used as space permits. Products and services included in this column
are for information only and do not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action
Network of the NFB.
Correction
In the last issue of the VOICE, in the
article titled: "1996 Raffle Winners," one name was left out. We omitted
Joy Cardinet, of Reseda, California, who sold 101 tickets. Thanks for a job
well done, Joy!
Diabetes Studies
The Chicago Center for Clinical Research
is studying investigational treatments for people suffering from diabetes. Whether
you are diet-controlled, on oral diabetes medications, or using insulin, you
may be eligible to participate in a research study of one of these treatments.
It is only upon successful completion of such research studies that new treatments
become freely available -- you can help! To learn more about participating in
one of these clinical studies, telephone: 1-800-494-2227.
Water Warning
If you are undergoing dialysis, be aware
that many municipalities are switching from chlorine to chloramines to disinfect
their water supply. Official documents state: "Although chloraminated water
is safe for anyone to drink, it can be a serious problem to individuals with
kidney disease undergoing dialysis on artificial kidney machines. The chloramines
must be reduced to acceptable levels..."
If you are, or will shortly be, using
dialysis, check with your water supplier!
Catalog on Internet
Blazie Engineering, maker of the Braille'n
Speak and other products for the blind, is now on the internet. Their "home
page" features graphics, sound clips, and many documents previously available
only in print or Braille.
The home page contains Blazie's products
catalog, their quarterly newsletter, and complete owner's manuals for many Blazie
products. The page also features a "forum," where users can ask questions
and leave comments.
To access Blazie Engineering's home
page on the World Wide Web, type: http://blazie.com/. For more information,
or help in getting connected, contact: Blazie Engineering, 105 E. Jarrettsville
Rd., Forest Hill, MD 20150; telephone: 410-893-9333.
Non-visual Guitar Instruction
We have been asked to announce: Bill
Brown, who has taught guitar for over 25 years, has created an all-cassette
(no written materials) guitar course. The course is intended for beginners,
and even includes a telephone "tuning hot line" in case the student
needs help tuning the guitar. Upon completion of the course, the student will
know the basic guitar chords, most common rhythm patterns using these chords,
the names of notes on the strings, and a number of songs. The student will also
be able to access the entire Guitar By Ear library of songs. To order, send
a check for $34.95 to: Bill Brown, 704 Habersham Road, Valdosta, GA 31602; telephone:
(912) 249-0628.
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 in NLS format) on a conventional music-speed tape
player will yield incomprehensible "chipmunk sounds."
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.
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 side
effects? Your unique insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle can still inspire
others. Are you a relative, a friend, or a health professional? More than 187,000
VOICE readers could benefit from your story.
For information and article submission
guidelines, contact: VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, 811 Cherry St., Suite 309, Columbia,
MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911.
Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin (EPO), a drug routinely
given to patients on dialysis, is actually a hormone that occurs naturally in
healthy human kidneys. It stimulates the production of red blood cells. If the
kidneys are damaged (by diabetes or other conditions), natural EPO production
diminishes, and anemia, low red blood count, can result. To correct this anemia,
restoring a healthy blood count, the patient is given recombinant human EPO.
Therapeutic use of EPO helps correct
anemia and reduces blood transfusion requirements for patients experiencing
chronic renal failure or End Stage Renal Disease.
Job Opening
Wanted: Diabetic Education Specialist.
Opening for an individual who understands the skills of blindness, and believes
in the abilities of blind diabetics to independently self-manage their condition.
Must be able to teach alternative methods of diabetes management, manage projects,
work independently, and must be willing to travel (South Dakota area). Will
train medical staff and educate community. Medical background not required,
but ability to communicate/interact with medical community necessary. BS degree
and two years related experience required. Competitive salary and benefit package,
including comprehensive health plan. For more information, telephone: 1-800-658-5441,
and ask for Martin.
Scholarship Winner
In the summer 1996 edition of the VOICE,
Debra Frank announced the Angelo Centano Golf Scholarship. Sponsored by the
St. Therese Knights of Columbus, of Valley Stream, NY, the event was a memorial
to the late Angelo Centano, a blind, insulin-dependent diabetic athlete whose
motto was "quitters never win and winners never quit." Open only to
contestants with type I diabetes, the contest required a 300-to 600-word essay
about any aspect of athletics or physical activity which winning the scholarship
would help the entrant achieve.
VOICE readers rose to the occasion.
Responses were of high quality. The prize, a $500 scholarship, was claimed by
James Elekes, of Springfield, New Jersey, who wrote of the need to maintain
tight blood glucose control, and the special difficulties he faced trying to
maintain an exercise program after being injured in a train accident. After
being told of his victory, he stated: "Your notification had added significance,
as it was made on the sixth anniversary of my kidney transplant from my younger
brother Michael." He reiterated that the scholarship would enable him to
purchase physical fitness equipment necessary to maintain good diabetes management,
improve cardiac and circulatory function, and enhance his overall quality of
life.
Blindness is no barrier to athletics,
physical activity, strenuous exercise, nor good diabetes control. James Elekes
is a fine example. Take note, folks--you can do it too!
Diabetes Action Network Seminars
At the 1997 convention of the National
Federation of the Blind, in New Orleans, Louisiana, our Diabetes Action Network
will have two seminars. The first will be on Monday, June 30, from 2 to 4 p.m.
There Eli Lilly and Company will provide us a speaker, who will discuss the
new quick-acting Humalog insulin. An open diabetes discussion will follow. On
Tuesday, July 1, we will have our second seminar, starting at 6:30 pm. Our keynote
speaker will be a dietitian, who will discuss "carb counting" as a
meal- planning tool. Both seminars are free and open to the public. Locations
will be posted in the agenda (provided when you register).
Elections Coming Up
At this year's national convention in
New Orleans, Louisiana, elections will be held to fill divisional board positions.
These are one-year terms, running from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. Positions
to be filled are: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary,
and Treasurer. If you are interested in a board position, or know someone who
you think would do a good job, then contact our Diabetes Action Network President,
Tom Ley. Yes, hard work and dedication are prerequisites for each board position.
Anything worthwhile is usually challenging, and requires hard work. Leadership
should be a positive force, and one must lead by good example.
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
At this year's annual convention of
the National Federation of the Blind there will be many insulin-dependent diabetics
in attendance. Each of us should have the foresight to bring extra insulin and
syringes so as to avoid needing to search for a pharmacy.
At every convention, a few diabetics
undergo avoidable hypoglycemic attacks. Hotels are jammed, and restaurants are
packed, with long waits for a table. We diabetics should always be prepared
for an insulin reaction. THINK AHEAD! Always carry something sweet, such as
candy or glucose tablets, that can be used for reactions. We should be sure
to have, in our rooms, snack foods to help control our food needs.
We diabetics can travel anywhere and
do almost anything we want, except go without food. Our bloodstreams should
have a balance of insulin and glucose. If there is not enough glucose (food)
then we have an insulin reaction.
"Plan ahead and be prepared."

Display Tables
For this year's annual convention of
the NFB, our Diabetes Action Network has reserved space in the exhibit hall,
where we will display literature and equipment of interest to blind diabetics
and others interested in diabetes.
There will be hundreds of other display
tables with products and information that may be of interest to blind persons.
CAN YOU HELP? It takes many people to
work the display tables, and If you can help for two hours, four hours, or more,
please contact our Display Table Committee Chairman: John Yark, 218 Seaton Road,
Apt. 2, Stamford, CT 06902; telephone: (203) 324-7862.
JOB Seminar and Breakfasts
The 1997 Job Opportunities for the Blind
(JOB) National Seminar will be held on Sunday, June 29, 1997, from 1 p.m. to
4 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. This will
be an exciting three hours of blind persons talking about their jobs and how
they got them. Admission is free; come for practical tips from those who know
best because they've been there. This year as before, recruiters from federal
agencies and private firms have plans to visit the seminar.
The JOB Networking Breakfasts, held
every morning of convention for the past six years, will be offered again in
1997, providing further opportunities. All begin at 7 a.m., in "The Courtyard"
restaurant (come early for good seats), and all are BYOB (buy your own breakfast).
Some examples include: The JOB First-Timers' Breakfast (a chance to meet convention
veterans and start the process) on June 29 and 30; Emergency dispatchers on
June 30; Braille Proofreaders and Transcriptionists, and another for Blind Persons
in Medical Fields, on July 1; Artists and Craftspersons on July 2; A new JOB
Networking Breakfast on July 3; Blind Computer Access Teachers on July 4; an
(invitation only) Breakfast for Employment Professionals on July 5, and more!
June 30 through July 4, there will also be "Generic Breakfasts for Job
Seekers," to help you get started. All of these will be crowded, so reservations
are recommended.
Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB)
is a joint program of the National Federation of the Blind and the U.S. Department
of Labor. If you have any questions, or want to make breakfast reservations,
call JOB at 1-800-638-7518.
Further information about the JOB seminars
and the NFB National Convention will appear in the BRAILLE MONITOR, published
by the National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD
21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314.
Smoking Research
researchers in japan (where smoking
is becoming increasingly popular) report solid new links between tobacco use
and type ii (niddm) diabetes. the eight-year study, conducted by .gifu University
School of Medicine, found that those who started smoking at age 18 or younger
were 3.9 times more likely to develop type II diabetes than those who did not.
Also, after statistically screening out other factors such as obesity, inactivity,
alcohol use and family history, the researchers found that those who smoked
16 to 25 cigarettes per day were 3.27 times more likely to develop type II diabetes
than were those who never smoked. Ex-smokers were more than twice as likely
(2.25 times) to develop the disease, compared with lifetime non-smokers. If
you don't smoke, congratulations. If you do, quit now!
Talk it Over
The information and advice contained
in VOICE OF THE DIABETIC are for educational purposes, and are not intended
to take the place of personal instruction provided by your doctor, or by your
health care team. Discuss any changes in your treatment with the appropriate
health professionals.