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.

NEW RESEARCH

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is pursuing

research into the connection between improper amounts of the hormone amylin and insulin

insufficiency or oversupply. Preliminary findings suggest that individuals with deficient

insulin secretion also appear to have deficient amylin secretion. The company's research

also suggests that individuals with insulin resistance may have an oversupply of amylin.

This line of inquiry is tantalizing. Tests are

underway to determine whether amylin replacement therapy can be of assistance to

individuals with insulin-insufficient (type 1) diabetes, and whether amylin-blockers might

lessen insulin resistance in cases of type 2 diabetes. European test results have not been

promising, but research continues. Not enough is known yet about this hormone.

It may be several years before final
results are in. Stay tuned to VOICE OF THE DIABETIC for further developments,
or contact: Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 9373 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego,
Ca 92121; internet address: http://www.amylin.com

FLU SHOTS

If you have diabetes, should you get a flu shot?

The Centers for Disease Control considers diabetics one of its "target

populations," most likely to be harmed by the flu, most needing "a dose of

prevention." A serious case of the flu can put anyone on their back for a week or

two, but it can also cause real problems with your blood sugar control. It is hard to

self-manage your diabetes when you're really sick. Your sugars can go way up, and you

don't need this complication. Prevention is the best cure—talk to your doctor, and

get that flu shot.

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 it 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.

THE PARROT

David received a parrot for his birthday. This

parrot was fully-grown, with a bad attitude and terrible vocabulary. Every other word was

an expletive. Those that weren't expletives were, to say the least, rude.

David tried hard to change the bird's attitude.

He was constantly saying polite words and playing soft music; he did anything he could

think of. Nothing worked. When he yelled at the bird, the bird got worse. If he shook the

bird, the bird got madder and ruder. Finally in a moment of desperation, David put the

parrot in the freezer. For a few moments he heard the bird squawking, kicking and

screaming and then suddenly, there was quiet.

David was frightened that he might have actually

hurt the bird and quickly opened the freezer door. The parrot calmly stepped out onto

David's extended arm and said: "I'm sorry that I might have offended you with my

language and actions, so I ask for your forgiveness. I will endeavor to correct my

behavior."

David was astounded at the bird's change in

attitude and was about to ask what had changed him when the parrot continued, "May I

ask what the chicken did to offend you?"

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, which will be coordinated by our division treasurer, Bruce

Peters.

THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The winning ticket

will be drawn, and the winner's name announced, on July 5, 1999, 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, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309,

Columbia, MO 65201; 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, 1998, or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman

Bruce Peters, 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.

GLUCOPHAGE OR GLUCOTROL?

Names can be confusing. Glucophage is another

name for Metformin, an oral medication for type 2 diabetes, that works to moderate sugar

release from the liver. Glucotrol is one of the many sulfonylureas, mainstay oral

medications that stimulate production of pancreatic insulin. The only thing they have in

common is that they both are used to treat type 2 diabetes.

BOARD MEMBERS

The Diabetes Action Network of the National

Federation of the Blind.

President: Ed Bryant, Columbia, MO

First Vice President: Janet Lee, Cedar, MN

Second Vice President: Sandie Addy, Prescott

Valley, AZ

Treasurer: Bruce Peters, Akron, OH

Secretary: Sally York, Castro Valley, CA

Board Member-At-Large: Gisela Distel, Albany, NY

Board Member-At-Large: Eric Woods, Denver, CO

NONCOMPLIANCE

When we get sick, we head for the doctor, and

often, he or she prescribes some sort of medication. Whether pill, topical ointment, or

injection, our medication comes with detailed instructions. We are told when to take our

medications, and for how long. We are instructed to take our medicine with certain foods,

and perhaps to avoid others. We are even warned what other medications to avoid. But are

we listening?

The failure to follow medication instructions is

called patient noncompliance. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), an

association of pharmacists, has assembled figures on patient noncompliance, and they are

bad! According to NACDS, people with diabetes misdose themselves, miss their medications,

or take them incorrectly, between 40 and 50 percent of the time, a figure exceeded only by

arthritis sufferers! Diabetes is serious business. The best medications will only work

right if you take them on time, in the right amount, and as per your doctor's orders.

Don't be one of those "noncompliant patients" the NACDS was talking about. If

you have a medication question, ask your doctor or your pharmacist. Keep up your side of

the bargain.

LOW VISION SUPPLIES

We have been asked to announce: Outa
Sight Products offers a full range of household products for the blind and visually
impaired. There are items for the kitchen, the table, the bathroom, cleaning
equipment, for your dog, for your electronic equipment and more. Their 95-page
catalog is available in large print, Braille, audiocassette, or computer floppy
disk. For information, contact: Outa Sight Products, 269 S. Beverly Drive, Suite
321, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; telephone: 1-888-876-4733; fax: (818) 894-2905;
website: http://www.outa-sight.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 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 239,000 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.

NFB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Photo: portrait. Caption: Peggy Elliott

The National Federation of the Blind will award

$88,000 in scholarships this year. Individual scholarship amounts range from $3,000 to

$10,000, and the competition is open to any legally-blind individual who will be a

full-time, post-secondary student in Fall 1999.

All 26 scholarships are merit-based, and most are

unrestricted. Entries will be judged on the criteria of academic excellence, financial

need, and service to the community. The committee making the award decisions will be

composed of blind citizens with distinguished academic and community backgrounds from

across the country.

The scholarship winners will be presented their

awards in July, at the 1999 convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in

Atlanta, Georgia. The NFB will also pay all expenses of scholarship winners to attend the

convention.

The National Federation of the Blind is an

organization dedicated to creating opportunity for all blind persons. With more than

50,000 members, it is the largest organization of blind citizens in existence, and it

awards more scholarships to the blind than does any other group or organization.

Recipients of Federation scholarships do not have to be members of the NFB.

Applications for the 1998 NFB Scholarship program

must be received by March 31, 1999. Scholarship winners will be notified by June 1. We

receive approximately 500 scholarship applications each year, so don't delay! Anyone

interested may request as many application forms as needed from:

1. Mrs. Peggy Elliott, Chairman, National

Federation of the Blind Scholarship Committee, 805 5th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112-1653;

telephone: (515) 236-3366.

2. National Federation of the Blind Scholarship

Committee, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314.

3. All NFB state officers.

4. Financial Aid Offices of educational

institutions.