Inclusion of materials in this publication is for information only; it does not imply endorsement of any product by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
NEWSLINE for the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind’s NEWSLINE is an electronic publication of major daily newspapers, specifically tailored for blind and visually-impaired readers. Newsline electronically "reads" all of each day's edition, which is immediately made available via modem to the local distribution centers. Users listen to the articles they choose, read to them in a synthesized voice. The reader is free to jump between articles, sections, and publications, and to pick the speed of reading to suit their needs. There is no subscription fee, and Newsline is not the Internet, so no computer is necessary to use it, just a touch-tone telephone. Service is available to any person at least legally blind. There is no charge.
For further information, contact: Newsline Network, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: 1-866-504-7300.
Updated Web site
Joslin Diabetes Center has updated its Web site: www.joslin.org. Expanded to more than 2000 pages, the new site features basic information, diabetes research updates, online courses for physicians and other health professionals, clinical guidelines for referring physicians, a section for diabetic children and teens, the Joslin Online Store, and all the features already present on the old Joslin website, including insightful discussions of multicultural health care delivery.
Visit Joslin on the Web: www.joslin.org, or by telephone: 1-800-567-5461.
Adaptive Computing Equipment
Freedom Scientific is a powerhouse adaptive equipment maker for the blind and visually impaired computer user. A union of Arkenstone, Blazie Engineering, and Henter-Joyce, Freedom Scientific offers screen magnifiers (including JAWS software, which speaks the words on the screen), talking attachments (voice synthesizers) for your computer, scanner/reading machines like the new SARA, Braille printers and much more. Whether you need adaptive software or hardware, check them out: Freedom Scientific; telephone: 1-800-444-4443; Web site: www.freedomscientific.com
Full Service Diabetes Supplier
Access Diabetic Supply promises free delivery, no paperwork, and free in-home training in the use of blood glucose testing devices. Your private insurance is welcome, and they accept Medicare, too. They offer free blood glucose monitors to folks who sign up. Check them out online: www.diabeticsupply.com or call: 1-800-819-8738.
Diabetes Literature from NFB National Center
The National Federation of the Blind maintains an extensive literature collection, with free materials on many subjects, including diabetes, available in a variety of formats. The diabetes articles are available, in large print or on 4-track audiocassette, in a single volume titled: Diabetes Action Network Articles, or singly, in large print. These are free of charge. They can also be read on the web, or downloaded, free of charge, from: www.nfb.org/diabetesbook.htm
The Materials Center also has a supply, in Braille and on 4-track audiocassette, of the new ADA Exchange List for Meal Planning, 2003 Edition. In Braille, price is $10; on tape, $2.
To order, or to request a complete NFB literature catalog, contact: NFB Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314. You may also order by email: [email protected]. The Materials Center is open 8:00 am to 5 pm, EST, weekdays.
Bible on Cassette
We have been asked to announce: The Aurora Ministries Bible Alliance offers the Bible on tapes or MP3 CDs, without charge, to persons who are legally blind or print handicapped. Sixty different languages are currently offered on tape, from Amharic to Zande. The MP3 is new, and is only English at this time. Look for more MP3s soon. The tapes (12 cassettes for the New Testament) are standard (music) speed, and the service is without charge to anyone who meets the criteria set up by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. For information, contact: Aurora Ministries Bible Alliance, PO Box 621, Bradenton, FL 34206; telephone: (941) 748-3031; Web site: www.auroraministries.org
GUIDEPOSTS Magazine
GUIDEPOSTS magazine is a Christian publication founded by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. The magazine, the daily devotional book Daily Guideposts, and many other products are now available in a number of alternative formats. Daily Guideposts is available in large print; and Guideposts magazine is available in large print, Braille (through Bookshare <www.bookshare.org> who will download it to you, or mail you a paper copy), or on 4-track audiocassette. Prices run $16.95 a year; check for promotional discounts. You can also listen on the Web (Real Audio) or download stories in MP3 format. The Guideposts store is full of products available in formats other than print. Contact: Guideposts, 39 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel, NY 10512; telephone 1-800-431-2344 or 1-800-932-2145; Web sites: www.dailyguideposts.com and www.guidepostmag.com
Easy Diabetic Cookbook
If you want to prepare healthy diabetic meals, but find most cookbooks just too complicated, you need Linda Coffee and Emily Cale's new and improved Diabetic 4 Ingredient Cookbook. There are almost twice as many recipes as before, 350, in all food categories, with complete nutritional and exchange information, each one using four ingredients. The book costs $19.95 (+$3.50 shipping), from: Coffee and Cale, PO Box 2121, Kerrville, TX 78029; telephone: 1-800-757-0838; www.fouringredientcookbook.com
Diabetic Products
Health Care Products makes many over-the-counter medications and supplements for diabetics, including Multi-Betic Vitamins and DiabetiSweet sugar-free sweetener. Find these products in the diabetic section of Eckerd, Osco, Sav-on, Target, GNC, and other retailers. For information, contact: Health Care Products, 369 Bayview Avenue, Amityville NY 11701; telephone: 1-866-263-9003; website: http://www.diabeticproducts.com
American Express
Do you have an American Express card? Having trouble reading your monthly card statements? You can get your statements in Braille, Grade 1 or Grade 2, or in 18-point large print. Contact: American Express; telephone: 1-800-528-4800.
Pancreas Transplant Information
Interested in pancreas transplantation? Want to know more about Medicare coverage of this surgery? At one time, Medicare was reluctant to fund it, but things are changing. Two Web sites can help give you the latest: www.hhs.gov/dab/decisions/rul1.htm and www.cms.gov/mcd/cag-00295r
The first is a legal database which discusses appeals and decisions, and the second, which will require some patience, is the Medicare Coverage Database.
Large Print Books
Many people keep up with the latest bestsellers through book clubs. They’re bargains. The problem has been all the books came in standard print, and some of us need something bigger. Doubleday, a major book publisher, has come to the rescue. Check out the Doubleday Large Print Book Club. All text is 14 point or larger, and the books are up to 30% cheaper than publisher’s list price. Get your bestsellers in a font you can read more easily. Contact: Doubleday Large Print Book Club, PO Box 6338, Camp Hill, PA 17001-9058; website: www.joinDLP.com
Diabetic Foot Products
The following products were specifically designed by Dr. Kenneth B. Rehm, DPM, to help treat diabetic conditions of the human foot.
* DiabetiCream; $30 (plus S&H) for a 4-oz. tube. Apply to clean, dry feet, to help alleviate dryness and cracking. Use with massage will help circulation.
* ToeSoak; $20 each (plus S&H). Foot Shampoo.
* ToesEase; (foot and toenail cleaner) $20 (plus S&H) for an 8-oz. supply
These products and more are available from: The Diabetic Foot and Wound Treatment Center, 1529 Grand Avenue, Suite C, San Marcos, CA 92069; telephone: (760) 744-5226; website: www.thediabeticfoot.com
Diabetes Supplies
American Diabetic Supply, Inc., will ship your diabetes supplies to your door. They handle all insurance claims and provide free delivery. Folks with Medicare and/or private insurance (no HMOs) may receive supplies at no further cost. For information, contact: American Diabetic Supply, Inc., 400 S. Atlantic Ave., Suite 108, Ormond Beach, FL 32176; telephone: 1-800-453-9033, ext. 200; Web site: www.americandiabeticsupply.com
Our Email Diabetes List
Our Diabetes Action Network now offers its own ‘listserv,’ [email protected]. Although its primary focus is on blindness and diabetes, any and all discussions concerning diabetes are welcome. We welcome topics like: Diet, devices, healthcare, diabetes control, or how to improve the Voice of the Diabetic. Remember, please do not give any direct medical advice unless you are a medical professional. Membership is free, and open to all.
There are two ways to sign up. You can go to the following Web site: www.nfbnet.org/mailman.listinfo/diabetes-talk or you can sign up by email, by sending a message to: [email protected] and putting “subscribe” in the subject line.
Zyprexa Warning
Website www.edruginfo.com reports possible problems for patients taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) for depression, if those patients are diabetic or known to be at risk for diabetes. It appears taking Zyprexa can, for some individuals, raise the risk of hyperglycemia. Diabetics who commence Zyprexa therapy should increase the frequency of their testing; regularly monitoring for worsening glucose control. People with IGT, people who are at risk of developing diabetes, may find themselves doing so -- though in some cases, once Zyprexa was stopped, symptoms of hyperglycemia ceased. Caution is advised. For more information, see www.lilly.com
Free Magazine
Diabetes Health Monitor is a free newsletter full of stories, information, and the latest diabetes products. Your doctor's office waiting room probably has a stack of them. They're free to you, as well. Send a card to: Data Centrum Communications, 21 W 38th Street, Fl 4, New York, NY 10138-0981. Tell them you want Diabetes Health Monitor.
Healthy Cookbooks
JoAnna Lund writes healthy cookbooks. They are simple, “common folks” recipes, and all contain both complete nutrient counts and diabetic exchanges. There are three titles: Fast, Cheap, and Easy; Grandma Jo’s Soup Kettle; and Fresh From the Hearth. Price is $10 each, or $25 for all three. There is no shipping charge. Contact: Healthy Exchanges, PO Box 80, DeWitt, IA 52742; telephone: 1-800-766-8961; website: www.healthyexchanges.com
Diabetic Supplies Online
Pharmacist Bryan Luna, Rph, offers diabetes supplies, including glucose monitors, on line at www.diabeticsupplies.com . This convenient Web site is simply laid out, and can be accessed in large print, too. For those without the Internet, telephone: 1-877-787-7543. They will file your Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance forms. Free product catalog; 30-day, money-back guarantee.
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 recorded for the Blind in NLS format) on a conventional music-speed tape player will fail, yielding only 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.
2005 Raffle Winners
At the keynote banquet for the 2005 annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Louisville, Kentucky, the winning ticket was drawn in the Diabetes Action Network raffle. Winning ticket holder was Doug Wilson, of Clinton, Indiana.
Lots of people helped sell tickets, and the following folks each sold 50 or
more. In descending order of tickets sold: Ken Staley, of Chicago, IL, John
Stroot, of Clinton, IN; John Barker, of Gary, IN; Marlene Hunn, of San Francisco,
CA; and Ed Bryant, of Columbia, MO. Truly a winning performance -- See you next
time!
New DAN Board Members
At the annual seminar and business meeting of the Diabetes Action Network, held on July 4, 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky, as part of the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind, elections were held, to fill national board positions for the 2005/2006 year. Here are the results:
PRESIDENT: Lois Williams
Huntsville, AL
VICE-PRESIDENT: Sandie Addy
Prescott Valley, AZ
TREASURER: Joy Stigile
Reseda, CA
SECRETARY: Joyce Kane
Stratford, CT
BOARD-MEMBER: Ed Bryant
Columbia, MO
BOARD-MEMBER: Josie Armantrout
Bemidji, MN
BOARD-MEMBER: Mike Freeman
Vancouver, WA
Deceased
Recently, the Diabetes Action Network(DAN) lost two fine leaders. Former national Board Member Sally York died on June 2, 2005, and DAN President Paul Price died on July 11, 2005. Kenneth B. Rehm, DPM, will miss his friend Paul Price. Our work continues; we will miss them both.
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 complications--your unique insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle can still inspire others. Are you a relative, a friend, or a health professional? More than 352,525 Voice readers could benefit from your story.
For information and article submission guidelines, contact: Voice of the Diabetic, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203; telephone: (573) 875-8911.
VOICE DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED
Since the VOICE is now offered free, our Diabetes Action Network will provide extra copies to anyone wanting to help spread the word. We will gladly send from five to five hundred-plus copies each quarter to be used as free literature. Medical facilities can order as needed for patients. Individuals can usually place copies of the VOICE in libraries, pharmacies, hospitals, doctors' offices, or other public locations.
Diabetes education is essential. Anyone who distributes the VOICE will be helping people with diabetes, and their families, to learn about the disease and its ramifications; to learn that they have options; and that their world is far greater than whatever "limits" may be imposed by the disease. If you would like to help spread the word by distributing the publication, please contact: Voice of the Diabetic, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia, MO 65203; telephone: (573) 875-8911, fax: (573) 875-8902. NOTE: Please provide a phone number so we can reach you.