Voice of the Diabetic
Voice of the Diabetic
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WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO ASK
(Resource Column)
Inclusion of materials in this publication is
for information only and does not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action Network
of the NFB.
DIABETIC FOOT PRODUCTS
The following products were specifically designed 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.
* Dr. Rehm's Special Foot Soap; $12/bar (plus S&H). Hand-made
in small batches by the Maeda family of Calexico, California.
* Toesease; (foot and toenail cleaner) $20 (plus S&H) for
an 8-oz. supply
* The Diabetic Sock; $10/pair. Non-binding top, extra width
in calf, non-constricting, hand-knit seamless toe, antimicrobial treatment,
94% cotton, 5% nylon, 1% spandex. Made in USA.
All these products are available from: The Diabetic Foot and
Wound Treatment Center, 1529 Grand Avenue, Suite C, San Marcos, CA 92069; telephone:
(760) 744-6226.
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.
NEW DIABETES RESOURCE LIST
The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the
Blind now offers the 2001/2002 edition of "Diabetes Resources: Equipment,
Services and Information," our comprehensive list of resources for diabetics.
"Diabetes Resources" is a compilation of companies and individuals
offering products and/or information to help diabetics, especially those who
are blind or are losing vision, to self-manage their diabetes. The list contains
the following subject categories: General and Miscellaneous, Insulin Measurement
Devices, Insulin Syringe Magnifiers, Insulin Injection Systems, Diabetic Foot
Care, Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems, Insulin Pumps, Products for the Blind,
Food and Diet, Literature and Information, Distributors of Diabetes Equipment
and Supplies, and Medication Assistance.
Blind diabetics can and do accurately draw up insulin, monitor
blood glucose, and perform the other tasks of independent selfmanagement. By
using alternative techniques and products, they can continue being independent,
and control their diabetes as efficiently as do their sighted peers. Limitations
are usually self-imposed—often all that is needed to overcome negative
thinking is simply to know where to go for information.
"Diabetes Resources: Equipment, Services, and Information"
costs $5 per copy, and is available in Braille, large print, and audiocassette
(recorded at 15/16 IPS for the blind), or you can access it on the NFB website:
Please order from: National Federation of the Blind, Materials
Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659?9314.
Note: the NFB Materials Center is open weekdays 8 am to 5:00 pm Eastern time.
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,
PO Box 2121, Kerrville, TX 78029; telephone: 1-800-757-0838.
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 ,
website: www.dsmedical.com
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,
talking attachments (voice synthesizers) for your computer, Braille printers
and much more. Whether you need adaptive software or hardware, check them out:
Freedom Scientific; telephone: 1-800-444-4443; website: www.freedomscientific.com
DIABETES SUPPLIES
Diabetic Supply Distributors, Inc., helps you save four ways
with your diabetes supplies:
1. Insurance billing. They file the claim, and they pay for
delivery. No advance payment needed—and THEY do the paperwork.
2. Medicare billing. Medicare pays for approved diabetes supplies
(and, since last July, that list has covered type 2 diabetics!). Diabetic Supply
will handle the details.
3. Free, fast home delivery. Your order comes quickly to your
door.
4. Friendly personal service. You're not talking to a computer.
Contact: Diabetic Supply Distributors, Inc., PO Box 1820, Laurel
Springs, NJ 08021; telephone: 1-800-962-8098.
TALKING BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITOR
Based on the proven Accu-Chek Advantage meter, the Roche Diagnostics
Accu-Chek Voicemate provides the following: Clear, high-quality speech synthesis,
talking the user through preparations, test procedures, and results, without
the need for sighted assistance; an "insulin vial identifier" which
reads Eli Lilly insulin vials and speaks their type, as a safety aid in tactile
insulin mixing; a new, improved, "touchable" test strip—the Accu-Chek
Comfort Curve (no more "hanging drop of blood" needed!); no meter
cleaning required; and a tactile "code-key" system for programming
test strip codes. The Voicemate is the most "blind-friendly" talking
glucose monitor available today, and the only one whose regular operations require
no sighted assistance at all.
The Voicemate comes with an adjustable over-the-shoulder carrying
case, with meter, voice box, battery, adapter cord, 10 Comfort Curve strips,
earphone, insulin check-vial, manual and quick-reference guide (in print), and
instructions on audiocassette. The meter (catalog # 2030802) can now be ordered
through any pharmacy (suggested retail price $495-525). To do so, have your
pharmacist contact Roche Diagnostics, 9115 Hague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250;
telephone: 1-800-428-5074. For direct purchase, and a price below $500, contact
any of the following retailers: BeyondSight, Inc., Littleton, CO: 303-795-6455
($498); Independent Living Aids, Inc., Plainview, NY ($495): 1-800-537-2118;
or the National Federation of the Blind Materials Center, Baltimore, MD ($475):
410 659-9314.
CHANGE YOUR WAYS
Good diabetes management is a lifestyle. Although doctors can
prescribe medication and recommend changes, sometimes "changing your ways,"
adapting/adopting a healthy lifestyle, can be a lot of work—for there is
so much to learn.
The NEWSTART Lifestyle Center offers 12- and 18-day in-house,
physician-supervised intensive education programs, that emphasize permanent
lifestyle changes designed to help the participant lose weight, maintain health,
and adopt healthier habits in nutrition, cooking, exercise, and stress management.
Contact: Weimar Institute; telephone: 1-800-525-9192; e-mail:
RIDE IN STYLE
Sometimes a person needs some help getting about, and an electric scooter would
be just the thing. The Scooter Store, in New Braunfels, Texas (with service
centers throughout the USA), calls itself "America's largest scooter company,"
and offers a wide variety of scooters and purchase plans. If you have Medicare,
and demonstrable medical need, you may even find a new scooter is covered as
"durable medical equipment."
For information, contact The Scooter Store; telephone: 1-800-723-4535;
website: www.scooterstore.com
DIABETIC SUPPLIES ON LINE
Pharmacist Bryan Luna, Rph, offers diabetes supplies, including
glucose monitors, on line at www.diabeticsupplies.com . This convenient website
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.
TALKING COMPUTER
The VoiceNote, from HumanWare, is a laptop note-taker/organizer
for blind individuals and those losing vision. It combines the familiar MicroSoft
WINDOWS CE operating system, and standard computer keyboard, with voice access.
You can create MS Word documents, access your e-mail, transfer documents to
and from a standard PC computer, use your VoiceNote as a speech synthesizer
for another computer, and access a number of planning and scheduling tools.
For more information, about the VoiceNote or their many other products, contact:
HumanWare, 6246 King Road, Loomis, CA 95650; telephone: 1-800-722-3393; web
site: www.humanware.com
WINDOWS SCREEN READER
GW Micro now offers WINDOW-EYES Version 4 with Braille Support,
a screen reader program that also supports Microsoft WINDOWS ME, WINDOWS 95,
WINDOWS 98 and WINDOWS 2000. Once equipped with a voice synthesizer such as
the Dectalk (your standard soundcard won't do), any computer that can run WINDOWS
can run WINDOW-EYES. WINDOW-EYES reads the internet too, and provides you both
speech and Braille output! A free demo disk is available, or you may download
the demo program from the internet. The WINDOW-EYES program is available from:
GW Micro, 725 Airport North Office Park, Fort Wayne, IN 46825; telephone: (219)
489?3671; fax: (219) 489-2608, e-mail:
[email protected]; web site: http://www.gwmicro.com
DIABETES SUPPLIES
When you need it, you need it. When it's time to test, when
it's time for medication, you need it already there. Diabetic Care Center will
ship your diabetes supplies to your door, and they do the paperwork. No forms,
no trips to the pharmacy. Medicare and most private insurance accepted. Call
the Diabetic Care Center, telephone: 1-800-633-7167; web site: http://www.diabeticare.com
NEW TALKING MEDICINE IDENTIFIER
A new product, the ALOUDÔ Model 200 Audio Labeling System,
from ASKO, can best be described as a "talking prescription container."
This is how it works:
When a pharmacist dispenses your medication, an audio version
of the printed prescription label (called an "Audio Label") is also
produced, and is attached to the medication container. The Audio Label is a
bit large for attaching to an insulin vial - it works, but it would be better
if it were smaller. When the Audio Label is placed into an ALOUDÔ Replay
unit, up to 60 seconds of recorded information is replayed.
Each of your medications needs its own Audio Label, and you
can play the message over and over, as many times as you like. It cannot be
accidentally erased or altered—the microphone (provided) must be inserted
into the "recorder/replay module" to change the message. The Audio
Label is reusable, so when you need to have your prescription refilled or changed,
the message can be changed also, and attached to your new prescription.
The record/replay unit is portable. It is only 4" high,
about 2" in diameter, and weighs less than eight ounces. It has a rechargeable
battery, so you can use it anywhere. The audio fidelity is very good, and you
can also use a small earphone for private listening. The construction is extremely
durable, the product is manufactured in the USA, there is absolutely no maintenance
required and the product comes with a one-year warranty.
Further information about the ALOUDÔ system can be obtained
from: ASKO Corporation, 2 South Street, Stamford, NY 12167; telephone, toll-free:
1-877-732-9227; web site: www.askocorp.com
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. The
articles listed below make up one part of the collection, the "diabetes"
category: "Arthritis and Diabetes: A Common Association," "Blind
Diabetics Can Draw Insulin Without Difficulty," "Can I Eat Sugar?,"
"Cardiovascular Health: Bypass May Be Better for Diabetics," "Check
Your Hemoglobin A1c I.Q." "Diabetic Eye Disease," "Diabetic
Peripheral Neuropathy," "Diabetics, Don't Give Up on Braille,"
"The Emotional Side," "Finger-Sticking Techniques," "How
I Went Blind...And Then What," "Hypoglycemia - Low Blood Sugar,"
"Insulin Measurement Devices," "Insulin Types: A Review,"
"Keeping Your Feet," "Kidney Disease: Prevention, Dialysis, and
Transplantation," "Male Sexual Dysfunction," "Many Blind
Diabetics Successfully Use Insulin Pumps," "New Dietary Guidelines
for Diabetes Management," "Oral Diabetes Medications Update,"
"Talking Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems," and "What Is Diabetes
Mellitus?"
These articles are available in large print and four-track 15/16
IPS audiocassette for the blind (all the diabetes articles are on one tape,
titled: "Diabetes Action Network Articles"). All 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.
The Materials Center is open 8:30 pm to 5 pm, EST, weekdays.
ORTHOTICS
SILIPOS, Inc, makes orthotics, adaptive pads and gels for people
with foot problems. As diabetes is the biggest source of non-traumatic amputation
in the U.S. today (and "non-traumatic" in this case means not caused
by war, explosion, or violent accident), many diabetics may need such equipment.
You and your podiatrist may want to look at their product line—which seems
to forever have something new.
Also, SILIPOS has a first-rate diabetes information web page
on their site, well worth a look. Contact: SILIPOS, Inc., 7049 Williams Road,
Niagra Falls, NY 14304, telephone: 1-800-229-4404; web site: www.silipos.com
DIABETES SUPPLIES
Inverness Medical Corporation carries a full line of discount-priced
diabetes supplies, including: Dex-4 glucose tablets, skin cream, and Excel test
strips for the Glucometer Elite monitor. The company also markets the Monoject
line of insulin syringes and lancets. Many Inverness (formerly Can-Am) products
are also sold as "house brand" at major pharmacy chains. Their low
price in no way compromises their high quality.
For information, contact: Inverness Medical Corporation, 200
Prospect Street, Waltham, MA, 02453; telephone: 1-800-461-7448.
DIABETES INFORMATION
ECRI, the Emergency Care Research Institute, has established The Sharon H. Limaye
Center for Diabetes Technology Assessment and Patient Education Web site: www.ecri.org/limaye
. The Limaye Center website offers, along with basic diabetes information, reviews
and assessments of diabetes technology, such as a comparison of blood glucose
monitors, and another of rapid-acting insulin products. The site also offers
links to many pertinent research and government web pages. Contact: The Sharon
H Limaye Center For Diabetes Technology Assessment and Patient Education, c/o
ECRI, 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298; telephone: (610) 825-6000,
ext. 5416; e-mail: [email protected]; web
site: www.ecri.org/limaye
TACTILE INSULIN MEASURING DEVICE
For some years, the Count A Dose, from Jordan Medical, has been
the best, most dependable tactile insulin measuring device on the market. It
could be safely loaded and used without sight, and it facilitated reliable insulin
mixing. Available in either 1cc (for 100-unit) or 1/2cc (for 50-unit) BD syringe,
it was a good product, but in the last few years it has become increasingly
hard to find.
That has now changed. Jordan Medical Enterprises has been purchased
by MediCool. Both sizes are now back in production. The "recommended selling
price" for the 1/2 cc model is $59.95, and for the 1 cc model, it is $79.95,
from: Medicool, 23520 Telo Avenue, #6, Torrance, CA 90505; telephone: 1-800-541-1193.
The National Federation of The Blind, National Center For the Blind offers both
sizes for $40 each. Contact: Materials Center, National Center for the Blind,
1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314; web site:
NEW NO-CALORIE SWEETENER
McNeil Specialty Products Company, a subsidiary of Johnson and
Johnson, has received approval to market Sucralose, a new no-calorie sweetener
derived from sugar. The trade name is Splenda. Created by British researchers
in 1976, the sweetener has been subjected to more than 100 scientific studies,
and has been widely available in Europe since 1991. It has no calories, and
does not promote tooth decay; but, unlike some current alternative sweeteners,
works equally well in hot or cold foods, and already has replaced aspartame
in some diet soft drinks. For more information about Sucralose, telephone: 1-800-777-5363,
or see the web site: www.splenda.com
HOME A1C TEST KIT
Doctors agree: the Hemoglobin A1c test is an important part
of your diabetes control. Given every three months, the A1c test allows you
and your doctor a good look at your average blood glucose control. Along with
your daily glucose monitoring, knowing your A1c average allows better medicine,
diet, and lifestyle adjustment. The problem is, not enough folks are getting
regular A1cs—in many cases they've found it "too inconvenient."
FlexSite Diagnostics announces the A1cAt.Home test kit. With this simple kit,
you use the provided lancet, deposit two blood samples onto the appropriate
test strip, fill out the form, insert into the special envelope provided, allow
the samples to dry overnight, and mail with payment to the lab. They will return
the results both to you and any doctor you indicate. You don't have to go the
doctor to get the test.
For information, contact: FlexSite Diagnostics, Inc., 3543 SW
Corporate Parkway, Palm City, FL 34990; telephone: 1-877-212-8378.
ADAPTIVE INTERNET ACCESS
The Freedom Box is an adaptive computer device that allows the
user to both speak to the computer (instructions and text) and have the computer
read back whatever is on the screen—with the express purpose of making
the internet more accessible. The company says: "This device allows the
disabled user full access to the internet just by talking to it—it connects
to your favorite websites and turns all the links on the page into voice commands."
For internet access, it is necessary to use the Freedom Box's
ISP. Broadband service is available in some areas. Per month ISP pricing appears
competitive with major internet ISPs.
The user can purchase a stand-alone Freedom Box system, or
an add-on for your PC. All purchasers must complete and return a signed Eligibility
Form, stating that the user is unable to use print, due to disability.
Contact: Freedom Box, Serotek Corp., telephone: 1-877-661-3785;
website: www.freedombox.info
PRESCRIPTION DRUG HELP
If you have prescription medications, and you can't afford them,
you may know a number of manufacturers provide free medications—but the
problem is finding the right one, and then completing the paperwork. If you
qualify (low income, no prescription coverage), The Health and Wellness Educational
Center will help you find your necessary prescription medications, and will
help with the paperwork. Contact: (205) 652-6557.
DIABETES INFORMATION ON TV
ITV and Tulane Health Services Center are cooperating to prepare a 30 minute
TV special on living with type 2 diabetes. The show will concentrate on what
type 2 diabetes is, and on what you, the individual with the condition can do
to combat it. VHS copies of the program, "Managing type 2 Diabetes,"
will also be available for purchase. For information on air dates and times,
or to order a copy, contact ITV; telephone: 1-888-380-6500; website: www.itvisus.com
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