An Open Letter to Fellow DIabetics

AN
OPEN LETTER TO FELLOW DIABETICS

by Terry Waldron

All of us, especially the newly diagnosed, can

learn a little by hearing the "testimony of our brethren," so to speak. We gain

from sharing the stories of our journey through this difficult but interesting disease

called diabetes. Here is my story:

There I was, working—feeling like hell,

dragging my tail through every day, not understanding why I felt so tired and foggy in the

Social Security and Diabetes

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
AND
DIABETES IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN
by Stan Rosenberg (copyright
1996)

For the diabetic in middle to later stages, the

question of ability to work becomes a primary query. It is the purpose herein to review

the Federal Entitlement to assist those who may be eligible for benefits and are not

aware. The keystone phrase for entitlement to Social Security Disability (SSD) or the

companion Supplemental Security Income program for adults or children (SSI) is the

Spr.'98,Letters to the Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

November 8, 1997

I was at the hospital in my small town and just

happened to see your paper. It was just what I needed. I have been diabetic for several

years and could never find out anything new about diabetes. I started reading and could

not put it down. Thank you so much. I am having problems with my eyes now. It was so nice

to see all this info about how the disease affects the body.

Thank you again,

Daris Woodley
Gatesville, Texas

December 22, 1997

Talking Blood Glucose Monitors

TALKING BLOOD GLUCOSE
MONITORS

by Ed Bryant

As
editor of VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, I am often asked about the relative strengths
and weaknesses of the various voice-enunciation equipped home blood glucose
monitors available today. There is no "best" talking glucose meter;
no one monitoring system is ideal for everyone. Features, prices, convenience,
and clarity of instructions vary, and new equipment periodically appears.

Although many companies make blood glucose

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

(This article appeared in the BRAILLE MONITOR,

Volume 41, No. 1, January 1998, published by the National Federation of the Blind.)

NATIONAL CONVENTION

NATIONAL
CONVENTION, 1998

Are you ready! As Federationists know,
our 1997 convention in New Orleans was the biggest we have ever had; however,
Texas in 1998 promises to be even better, and with your help, even bigger.

We will return to the Dallas-Fort Worth Hyatt

Regency, where we met in 1990 and again in 1993. NFB of Texas president Tommy Craig

promises that 1990 and 1993 were merely openers for the 1998 extravaganza.

As usual, our hotel rates are the envy of all who

Dialysis at National Convention

DIALYSIS AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

During this year's annual convention
of the National Federation of the Blind in Dallas, Texas (Saturday, July 4 through
Friday, July 10), dialysis will be available. Individuals requiring dialysis
must have a transient patient packet and physician's statement filled out prior
to treatment. Conventioneers should have their unit contact the desired location
in the Dallas area for instructions.

Individuals will be responsible for, and must pay

ASK THE DOCTOR

ASK THE DOCTOR
by Wesley W. Wilson, MD

NOTE: If you have any questions for "Ask the

Doctor," please send them to the VOICE editorial office. The only questions Dr.

Wilson will be able to answer are the ones used in this column.

Wesley Wilson, MD is an Internal Medicine

practitioner at the Western Montana Clinic in Missoula, Montana. Dr. Wilson was diagnosed

with type 1 diabetes in 1956, during his second year of medical school.

Q: A friend in my diabetes support group has

Ely Lilly and Insulin Vials

ELI LILLY AND INSULIN
VIALS

by Ed Bryant

Last June 3, the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration called a meeting of insulin manufacturers, government regulators, and

concerned organizations, to discuss the inclusion of tactile codes on insulin vials sold

in the United States. This is an issue of public safety. Thousands of blind diabetics, and

those losing vision, need reliable means to identify their insulin types, without sighted

A Personal Problem

BLOOD CHEMISTRY
VALUES FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS

by Patricia Hansen, RN

Patricia Hansen, RN, is Administrator of the

Dialysis Center and Director of Renal Nursing Services at Good Samaritan Hospital of Long

Island, NY.

Blood Chemistry

Normal Values

Accepted Normal for Dialysis Patients

Causes of Abnormals (I.E. of High Abnormals)

Signs and Symptoms Associated with Abnormal Levels

CALCIUM

(Ca)

8.5-10.5

Same