Includes Art: Hand removing book from shelf.
Inclusion of materials in this publication is for information only and does not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.
Free Diabetes Literature
The National Federation of the Blind maintains an extensive literature collection, with free materials on many subjects available in a variety of formats. Twenty-three articles on aspects of diabetes, all previously published in the Voice, have been assembled into a single volume, available in large print and four-track audiocassette, titled: "Diabetes Action Network Articles." Both formats are free of charge. 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 e-mail: [email protected]. The Materials Center is open 8:30 pm to 5 pm, EST, weekdays.
Relief
Many diabetics suffer from dry feet. It "goes with the territory." They hurt, they itch, they dry out and crack, and you need to do something about it. Sometimes neuropathy, nerve inflammation, in your feet can really drive you 'round the bend. But Steuart Laboratories offers help. Steuart's Foot Cream, with Melalenca Oil, is excellent for dry diabetic feet. Steuart's CNS Liposomes offers relief from neuropathy; also good for back, muscle, and joint pain. Prices (2-oz. jar): $9.25 plus shipping for the Foot Cream; $19.80 for the CNS Liposomes. Contact: Steuart Laboratories, P.O. Box 535, Mabel, MN 55954; telephone: 1-800-210-9665; Web site: www.steuartlabs.com.
Diabetic Supplies Online
Pharmacist Bryan Luna, M.P.H., R.D., C.H.E.S., offers diabetes supplies, including glucose monitors, online 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.
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 The Diabetic 4 Ingredient Cookbook. There are over 200 recipes, in all food categories, with complete nutritional and exchange information, each one using four ingredients. The book costs $9.95 (+$2.95 shipping), from: Coffee and Cale, P.O. Box 2121, Kerrville, TX 78029; telephone: 1-800-757-0838.
News From Bayer
Ascensia Care, the diabetes subsidiary of Bayer, announces two new glucose monitors. First, they have replaced their "Dex" with the new "Dex 2," which is electronically the same, but incorporates mechanical upgrades in the name of increased reliability. The second new meter, the "Breeze," available August 1, is based on the Dex, and uses the same 10-test "autodisc," but is larger and simpler, designed for beginners.
There was an opportunity to make this new meter speech-compatible--but, sadly, "the marketing department did not see sufficient demand." One hopes they will shortly correct this error.
Full Service Diabetes Supplier
DS Medical Supply is a full-service supplier with a catalog of more than 55,000 items, dealing with diabetes, its complications, and many other medical supplies, delivered to your home. Diabetes products range from glucose monitors by Bayer and LifeScan, and the AccuChek VoiceMate talking glucose monitor, strips, lancets and other supplies, to diabetic orthotics/foot care items, and much more. They accept Medicare, private insurance, some HMOs, and, in most states, direct or crossover Medicaid. Contact: DS Medical, 2105 Newport Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043-5561; Telephone: 1-800-722-2604, Web site: www.dsmedical.com.
New Web site for the Blind
www.eyes2eyes.com is a Web site for people who are blind or visually impaired. The site offers information about medical, safety, employment, vision and personal issues. Visitors can submit articles, tips, comments, and post messages. The Webmaster, Julia Johnson, is visually impaired, and has a Master's degree in Counseling. Check it out: www.eyes2eyes.com.
New Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (male impotence) is a frequent complication of diabetes, affecting perhaps 33 percent of diabetic men--and, by extension, their partners. Consequences can be devastating, and many different treatments have been tried.
The reliable, successful, FDA-approved treatments have been surgery, penile injections, Viagra (with limited success where diabetic circulatory damage is present), and vacuum therapy.
Pos-T-Vac Medical, from Dodge City, Kansas, has been manufacturing FDA-approved vacuum therapy systems for impotence treatment for many years. Company literature states their products enjoy a 98 percent success rate, without drugs, surgery, or medical intervention. And, because vacuum therapy devices are reusable, they constitute the least expensive approved treatment for the condition.
Pos-T-Vac's newest vacuum system is the BOSS-2000, a system consisting of cylinder, battery-operated pump, rubber ring, and safety valve. The system is certified safe, and can be used as often as desired. It comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty. Price is $149.99, and the BOSS-2000 is available now. Contact: Pos-T-Vac, Telephone (toll-free): 1-866-513-7328; Web sites: www.postvac.com or www.bosselite.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.
Did You Use Rezulin?
Some diabetics who used the now-banned medication Rezulin experienced complications from the drug. If you used this medication, were a caregiver for someone who did, or used Baycol or Vioxx, you might want to find out more about your legal options. Contact: Dean Spurlock, Attorney, 5601 Bridge Street, Fort Worth, TX 76112; Telephone: 1-800-700-1075.
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: 1-800-276-5712.
Learn Window Eyes
GW Micro, maker of the adaptive computer program Window Eyes, regularly offers training workshops in different parts of the country. Window Eyes users can receive tutoring in a number of "basic" and "intermediate" computer skills. On September 11 and 12, the National Center for the Blind will host one of these workshops. Tuition is $250.00 per day per person, if you bring a computer, or $350.00 per day if GW Micro provides. For information, contact: GW Micro, 725 Airport North Office Park, Fort Wayne, IN 46825; Telephone: (260) 489-3671; Fax: (260) 489-2608; Web site: www.gwmicro.com.
New Web site
Syringe maker and diabetes supplier BD has a new Web site, with features in both English and Spanish. There they showcase their latest products, but also provide a good bit of useful diabetes information. Some is available for download. Web site: www.bddiabetes.com.
Diabetes Supplies
Do you get tired of having to "shop around" for your various diabetes items? "Go to this place for these; to that place for those ..." Do something about it. Check out www.diabetesstore.com, the leading online source for discount diabetes products. Contact them by telephone: 1-800-891-9399; or Web site: www.diabetesstore.com.
Available from The NFB
At its headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, The National Federation of the Blind maintains a store, the "Materials Center." A great many items of interest to the blind are offered for sale, on the web (www.nfb.org) or through two free catalogs (in large print, Braille, or audiocassette): "Literature," and "Aids and Appliances." Some of these items would be of interest to blind diabetics and those losing vision.
The NFB Materials Center offers the Accuchek VoiceMate talking glucose monitor, for the lowest price on record, $475.00. The Center also offers the Heartalker Personal Trainer (a talking personal trainer/exercise timer) for $75.00; a talking blood-pressure meter for $169.00 (complete with standard cuff; larger or smaller cuffs available); a digital talking clinical (fever) thermometer, for $15.00; and the "Lo-Dose Count-A-Dose (uses B-D 1/2 cc (50-unit) syringes, clicks for each unit drawn, both audio and tactile cues), cost $40.00. Note: The larger, 1cc, Count-A-Dose is out of production and unavailable.
Check out the NFB Materials Center. There are a lot of things for sale there, from canes and slates to Braille games, talking measuring devices, various recorders and players, literature about all aspects of blindness, and much more. Since the Federation is non-profit, we work to keep our prices as low as possible, for your benefit. Contact: Materials Center, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; Telephone: (410) 659-9314; Fax: (410) 685-5653; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.nfb.org.
Portable Magnification System
We have been asked to announce: A new, portable magnification system allows people with macular degeneration or other visual impairments to live more independently is now available from Telesensory. Called the Olympia, this lightweight, handheld device magnifies reading material, food labels, checks, prescriptions and other items, enabling people with low vision to do more for themselves.
The Olympia magnifies reading material, checks, letters, prescriptions, food labels and pictures up to 26 times. The magnification system features a tilted screen for comfortable viewing, glare reduction and adjustable brightness capabilities to meet the needs of specific vision conditions. The system also has a wide-screen viewing option for text.
The Olympia allows users to view information in three modes: full color, negative mode with white letters on black background for high contrast and positive mode with black letters on white background for maximum clarity. The system can connect to a television for people who prefer a larger screen, increasing the magnification range up to 76 times. A folding writing stand provides 4.75 inches of clearance, allowing the user to set the system over the base and then write letters and checks or do other paperwork with ease. The carrying case, battery pack and optional car adapter provide additional portability.
Olympia and other Telesensory products are available through dealers and distributors worldwide. Olympia is priced at $2,495.00. For more information on the products or to find a local distributor, contact Telesensory at [email protected] or 800-804-8004.