Voice of the Diabetic

Voice of the Diabetic

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Artwork: Dancing fruits and vegetables

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.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

To all of you who responded to our recent donations drive, an enormous THANK

YOU! It costs more than $300,000 per year to publish VOICE OF THE DIABETIC,

the principal communication tool of our Diabetes Action Network. Through the

generosity of the National Federation of the Blind, we offer subscriptions without

charge; but our advertising income covers only a portion of production costs,

so we depend on YOU, our readers, to help us keep on carrying our message to

more diabetics, family members, health professionals, and individuals with an

interest in the condition. As our circulation has now grown beyond 286,000,

our need for your assistance grows more acute. Twice a year we send out requests

for donations. To those of you who responded--Thank You again!

RESEARCH STUDY

Physicians with Southeastern Clinical Research are seeking individuals with

chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and anemia (low number of red blood cells,

for possible participation in a research study (these individuals must not be

receiving dialysis therapy). Individuals who have both these conditions together

will experience frequent fatigue and weakness. The clinical trial will determine

whether an investigational medication improves the quality of life for study

participants. All study-related care will be provided at no charge, including

physical exams, lab tests, and the study medication. Financial compensation

is also provided to those who take part. For information, contact: Southeastern

Clinical Research; telephone: (423) 778-6947.

DIABETES VACCINE?

Last September, the journal NATURE MEDICINE reported that researchers from

Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, believed they

were on target to eventually develop a vaccine against type 1 diabetes. Dr.

Susan Wong and her colleagues at Yale think they have identified the cause of

type 1, and that they have found an antigen, a substance that stimulates autoimmune

response against insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Although so far this reaction

has only been studied in specially-bred type 1 diabetic mice, the researchers

believe they can recover sufficient information pertinent to human type 1 diabetes

to enable formulation of a diabetes vaccine "possibly within a decade."

FLU SHOTS

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reminds people with diabetes to get their

flu shot! Influenza and its complications kill an average of over 25,000 Americans

each year, and diabetics are three times more likely to die from these infections.

We encourage you to use this ounce of prevention this winter. Take action, and

stay well!

TAX HELP

For assistance with completing your year 2000 tax forms, you can telephone

the Internal Revenue Service, toll-free: 1-800-829-1040; website: www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs

WEB SEARCH ENGINE

By its own reckoning, the U.S. Government maintains 27 million different web

pages! It can be a full-time job just finding the official information you need

but now the U.S. Government has its own search engine: www.FirstGov.gov

PAIN MEDICATIONS AND DIABETES

If you have diabetes, what about those "over-the- counter" pain medications:

aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other "NSAIDs"? Are they safe?

It turns out they are "safe," in that they don't affect your blood sugars

either way, but there are other considerations. First, if you have any degree

of kidney failure, from your diabetes or otherwise, the action of these medications

will be altered. Talk to your doctor before using them.

Second, if you are taking any of the sulfonylureas, common oral diabetes medications,

these NSAIDs interfere with their action, possibly causing a hypo. Be careful!

NEW WEBSITE

Eli Lilly and Company now sponsors the website: www.lillydiabetes.com

Significant features of this site include the "tracking tools," graphs and

charts to help the diabetic chart HbA1c test results, Blood pressure test results,

and a "height and weight index" to help with calculation of body mass index,

a ratio widely used to help determine ideal weight.

The site also includes product information, test results and success stories,

as well as news releases about Lilly's many fund-raising activities. Check it

out!

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 6, 2001, 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, 1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C, Columbia,

MO 65203; 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, 2001, or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman Bruce

Peters, at this year's NFB convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.

NFB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Photo: portrait. Caption: Peggy Elliott

The National Federation of the Blind will award $125,000 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 2001.

All 30 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 2001

convention of the National Federation of the Blind, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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 2001 NFB Scholarship program must be received by March

31, 2001. 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:

Mrs. Peggy Elliott, Chairman, National Federation of the Blind Scholarship

Committee, 805 5th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112-1653; telephone: (515) 236-3366.

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Committee, 1800 Johnson Street,

Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314.

All NFB state officers.

Financial Aid Offices of educational institutions.

BOARD MEMBERS

The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind.

President: Ed Bryant

Columbia, MO

First Vice President: Eric Woods

Denver, CO

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: Paul Price

Valley Center, CA

Board Member-At-Large: Dawnelle Cruze

Portsmouth, VA

HERBAL CAUTION

Herbal medications and "botanicals" are as powerful as many prescription medications,

cautions the American Optometric Association, and they can have serious side

effects. Although these medications may be "natural," they are not harmless.

Herbs reported as (or suspected of) causing ocular problems include Black

Cohash, Ginseng, Bilberry, Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, and a combination, marketed

to "fight cellulite," containing Gingko Bilboa, Grapeseed Extract, Sweet Clover

and Iodine.

Many herbals are harmless; some are probably beneficial. What is important

is to remember they are medicines, and thus need to be reported to the doctor.

Certain medicines interact with other medicines, and can have unpredictable

side effects. It is vital your doctor know all the medicines you are taking

-- including the ones you bought at the health food store.

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 in NLS format) on a

conventional music-speed tape player will yield 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.

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 290,315 VOICE readers could benefit from

your story.

For information and article submission guidelines, contact: VOICE OF THE DIABETIC,

811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; 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, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone:

(573) 875-8911, fax: (573) 875-8902. NOTE: Please provide a phone number so

we can reach you.

END of VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, Volume 16, Number 1, Winter 2001 Edition

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