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.
NEUROPATHY TREATMENT
"The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter,"
for September 1996, reports that some peripheral neuropathy sufferers have found
relief from night-time symptoms of tingling, numbness, and "crawling sensations"
in the feet and legs, by taking, with their doctor's approval, 50mg of diphenhydramine
(Benadryl) before going to bed. The letter suggests that half that dose, 25mg,
might help with similar daytime symptoms, but to beware of drowsiness. Discuss
this with your doctor.
NEW MUSIC
VOICE reader Hazel Trujillo, a singer-songwriter
in Miami, Florida (who is also a deejay, classical guitarist, self-defense instructor,
diabetes educator, and blind diabetic!) announces the availability of her two
record albums, "Hazel," and "On Golden Wings." Her romantic
music has been played in Central and South America, many Mediterranean countries,
and on Miami radio stations. "Hazel," the first album, is sung in
Spanish, while "On Golden Wings" is all English, with several instrumentals.
Both are her own original material. EDITOR'S NOTE: I've listened to both tapes,
and I enjoyed them.
The tapes are priced at $10 each, or
the pair for $15. Send check or money order to: Hazel Trujillo, PO Box 430049,
Miami, FL 33243-0049.
PHONE RECORDING EQUIPMENT
Individuals who are blind or otherwise
dependent on the tape recorder as a note-taking device know that sometimes it
is necessary to record a telephone call. Traditional "phone mikes,"
for those of us who don't have a brother in the CIA, have been complex, unreliable,
with more batteries and suction cups than a four-year old's Christmas toy, and
their recordings have hardly been crystal clear. That has now changed.
Federationist Jerry Maccoux has developed
the Phonote, a compact, no-batteries device that greatly simplifies the task
of recording your phone conversations. It also gives a loud, clear, undistorted
sound, as if the other party were in the room with you. You will need: The device,
a tape recorder with an "aux-input" or remote microphone jack, and
an extension phone line (which can be as simple as a Y-jack and six-foot phone
line running from your modular plug). Plug the second line into the Phonote,
the Phonote into your recorder, and you're ready. Please note a number of laws
restrict the taping of phone conversations. To be safe, inform the other party
a recording is being made.
The Phonote, priced at $12 (plus $3.50
shipping), is available from: Phonote, PO Box 6021, St. Joseph, MO 64506; telephone:
(816) 279-4562; e-mail: [email protected]
NEW FOOT PAIN DRUG
If you have diabetes, you know that
peripheral neuropathy, a progressive nerve degeneration causing numbness, pain,
or tingling in the legs and feet, can occur after a number of years with the
condition. But the same pain can be a symptom of another condition, one called
intermittent claudication, sometimes a symptom of peripheral arterial disease,
or PAD.
Peripheral neuropathy and PAD have different
treatments, so it is important to tell them apart (note they can occur at the
same time). If you are experiencing such symptoms, talk to your health care
team, as treatments are available.
We have been asked to announce that
Trental (manufactured by Hoechst Marion Roussel) is now available to treat the
symptoms of intermittent claudication. As part of a complete, doctor-guided,
program that includes diet and exercise, Trental could put your feet in a better
place. For information about Trental, contact your pharmacist, or: Cold Feet,
PO Box 6309, West Caldwell, NJ 07007-6309; telephone: 1-800-925-5669, extension
109.
BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION
We have been asked to announce: The
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is a privately-funded non-profit support
and advocacy organization for all blind veterans of military service, their
families and friends. They offer information, advocacy, and needs-assessment
services to all blinded veterans, and the vision loss does not have to be service-connected.
BVA volunteers, themselves blind veterans, work in Veterans' hospitals, do community
outreach, and help other blind veterans in the formal VA claims process. The
BVA works closely with government agencies, in matters pertinent to blind veterans,
and each year, delivers its list of legislative priorities to the House and
Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs. The association publishes the periodical
"The BVA Bulletin," in large print and cassette.
For more information, contact: Blinded
Veterans Association, 477 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001-2694; telephone:
1-800-669-7079.
PESKY MACHINES
When that wonderfully convenient little
machine "develops a mind of its own," and starts giving you trouble,
do you ever wonder why it never uses that "mind of its own" to do
something useful?
DRAIN CLEANER AND DECLOGGER
(From the Internet)
Requires: 1/4 cup baking soda 1/2 cup
white vinegar
Pour the baking soda into the doubtful
drain. Follow with vinegar. Close or cover drain until fizzing stops. Flush
with a pot of boiling water.
ILLINOIS MEDICARE INFORMATION
The Health Care Service Corporation
(HCSC) is the Medicare Administrator for the state of Illinois. To expedite
its task of providing high-quality, timely service to program beneficiaries
within the state, HCSC has developed the Beneficiary Outreach Program. The program's
Beneficiary Outreach Committees, composed of both providers and beneficiaries,
provide feedback on new and pending changes, brief government agencies, congressional
staff members and consumer organizations (such as the Senior Health Insurance
Program, SHIP), serve as information resources in Social Security Administration
offices, and help train those who counsel Medicare beneficiaries. For information,
contact: Health Care Service Corporation, 233 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
60601; telephone: 1-800- 642-6930.
NEW RESOURCE LIST
We have been asked to announce: Linda
Schall has assembled a list of diabetes equipment for blind or visually impaired
diabetics. Talking glucose monitors, tactile- marked insulin pens, insulin gauges,
syringe magnifiers and more, along with a listing of suppliers and information
resources, all are listed in her "Medical Resources for Visually Impaired
Diabetics." Available in standard print, large print, or Braille, price
$30, the list is available from: Community Integration Consulting, 14 W. Park
Blvd., Westmont, NJ 08108; telephone: (609) 854-7711.
JEWISH MATERIALS
We have been asked to announce: The
Jewish Heritage for the Blind is pleased to announce the availability of the
"Megilas Esther" and the "Haggadah" in large print. For
ordering information, please call, fax, or write to: The Jewish Heritage for
the Blind, Department of Large Print Publications, 1655 East 24th Street, Brooklyn,
NY 11229; telephone: (718) 601-9128; fax: (718) 338-0653.
NEWSLINE FOR THE BLIND
The National Federation of the Blind
announces the startup of "Newsline," an electronic publication of
major daily newspapers, specifically tailored for blind and visually-impaired
readers. Already operational in the Baltimore-Washington area, "Newsline"
electronically "reads" all of each day's edition, which is immediately
made available via modem to local distribution centers. Users telephone their
local center (or place a long-distance call to the National Center for the Blind)
and listen to the articles they choose. There is no subscription fee or other
charge to access the system.
"USA Today," "The New
York Times," and the "Chicago Tribune" already participate. More
publications, including local papers, are expected to join shortly. As the system
expands, more blind individuals will have rapid and comprehensive access to
daily print news media, a substantial improvement over "live reader"
services. Our goal is to make the service available to every blind person in
the country, and soon.
The NFB is looking for individuals and
organizations willing to sponsor and maintain more of the required local distribution
centers. For further information, or to listen to a sample (read by the DECtalk
speech synthesizer), contact Newsline Network, National Federation of the Blind,
1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314.
BUFFERED INSULIN
You may see mention of "buffered
insulin," and wonder what it is. Buffered insulin is for use in insulin
pumps. An additional ingredient has been added to ensure smooth flow of insulin
through the pump. Although some pump-users employ unbuffered insulins (the same
as used in a conventional insulin syringe), and do well, the potential for a
stoppage exists. Use of buffered insulin in a pump lessens the odds and cuts
the risk.
NONINVASIVE GLUCOSE MONITOR
UPDATE
Biocontrol, developers of the Diasensor
1000 non- invasive glucose monitor, began a new round of clinical tests of the
device on February 3, 1997. This study, requested by the FDA, is to determine
whether the difficulties that led to previous denial of FDA approval to market
the device have been overcome. Upon successful completion of this trial, anticipated
to take 120 days, the 510(k) notification, application to market in the United
States, will be resubmitted. Further details of the study are described as "confidential
at this time."
BOARD MEMBERS
The Diabetes Action Network of the National
Federation of the Blind.
President: Tom Ley Baltimore, MD
First Vice-President: Ed Bryant Columbia,
MO
Second Vice-President: Janet Lee Cedar,
MN
Treasurer: John Yark Stamford, CT
Secretary: Sandie Addy Prescott Valley,
AZ
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 194,449
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.