Voice of the Diabetic
Voice of the Diabetic
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Artwork: dancing fruit 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.
Diabetes Newsletter
Are you always looking for more diabetes information? Insulin
manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company offers the free quarterly Lilly Diabetes
Today, in print and on the world wide web at: www.LillyDiabetes.com
The paper contains articles, advice, inspirational stories, recipes, and coupons.
Subscription is free, but a short survey must be completed to receive it. Contact:
Eli Lilly and Company, PO Box 4893, Trenton, NJ 08650-9058, or at the above
website.
New Oral Medication
One of the most common ramifications of diabetes is nephropathy, diabetic kidney
disease. Both type1 and type 2 diabetics are at risk (up to 40% of all type
2 diabetics develop end stage renal disease, ESRD), so both are in need of any
treatment that could slow disease progression.
At this time doctors have a number of medications to turn to, to slow the rate
of kidney destruction that so often follows diabetes. Many are blood pressure
reducers: the ACE inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers, and, most recently,
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is testing its antihypertensive (blood
pressure reducing) medication Diovan, for use in treatment of patients with
high blood pressure and proteinurea, a sign of ESRD. So far they, have found
that Diovan is as effective as the frequently-prescribed ACE Inhibitor Captopril,
without the chronic cough that so often follows therapy with ACE inhibitors.
The drug has been shown effective in lowering microalbuminuria (another diagnostic
for the presence of kidney damage) and the current tests show it to be as effective
in slowing the progressive rise of microalbuminuria as Captopril.
For more information, doctors should contact Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation,
59 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 07936-1080; telephone: (973) 781-5388; website:
Bug Spray and Sunscreens
While you're out and about this summer, you'll probably be trying to avoid serious
sunburn, by using a sunscreen cream. You may also be where the bugs are thick,
and may reach for an insect repellent. The chemical DEET, active ingredient
in many insect repellents, significantly reduces the effect of sunscreens, wherever
it comes in contact with them. If you need to use both, take extra precautions,
like long sleeves and perhaps a broad-brimmed hat.
The Secret Airbase
You've all heard of the Air Force's ultra-high-security, super-secret base in
Nevada, known simply as "Area 51?"
Well, late one afternoon, the Air Force folks out at Area 51 were very surprised
to see a Cessna landing at their "secret" base. They immediately impounded
the aircraft and hauled the pilot into an interrogation room.
The pilot's story was that he took off from Vegas, got lost, and spotted the
base just as he was about to run out of fuel. The Air Force started a full FBI
background check on the pilot and held him overnight during the investigation.
By the next day, they were finally convinced that the pilot really was lost
and wasn't a spy. They gassed up his airplane, gave him a terrifying "you-did-not-see-a-base"
briefing, complete with threats of spending the rest of his life in prison,
told him Vegas was that-a-way on such-and-such a heading, and sent him on his
way.
The next day, to the total disbelief of the Air Force, the same Cessna showed
up again. Once again, the MPs surrounded the plane ... only this time there
were two people in the plane.
The same pilot jumped out and said, "Do anything you want to me, but my
wife is in the plane and you have to tell her where I was last night!"
Phone Recording Equipment
Individuals who are blind or otherwise dependent on the tape recorder as a note-taking
device know that sometimes it is necessary to record a telephone call. Traditional
"phone mikes," for those of us who don't have a brother in the CIA,
have been complex, unreliable, with more batteries and suction cups than a four-year
old's Christmas toy, and their recordings have hardly been crystal clear. That
has now changed.
Federationist Jerry Maccoux has developed the Phonote, a compact, no-batteries
device that greatly simplifies the task of recording your phone conversations.
It also gives a loud, clear, undistorted sound, as if the other party were in
the room with you. You will need: The device, a tape recorder with an "aux-input"
or remote microphone jack, and an extension phone line (which can be as simple
as a Y-jack and six-foot phone line running from your modular plug). Plug the
second line into the Phonote, the Phonote into your recorder, and you're ready.
Please note a number of laws restrict the taping of phone conversations. To
be safe, inform the other party a recording is being made.
The Phonote, priced at $12 (plus $3.50 shipping), is available from: Phonote,
PO Box 6021, St. Joseph, MO 64506; telephone: (816) 279-4562; e-mail: [email protected]
Website for the Blind
It is not easy for blind people to find news, health and wellness information,
assistive technology information, and current news about disability issues.
Now there is a website, www.enablelink.com, that combines all the above with
a fully accessible online shopping mall of assistive products for the blind:
Talking watches, talking VCRs, talking thermometers, screen readers, software,
Braille translators and embossers, and much more. Check it out: www.enablelink.com
Dialysis Information
Every year, thousands of people face kidney failure, End Stage Renal Disease,
and must commence dialysis, or obtain a kidney transplant. Diabetes is both
the #1 cause of kidney failure, and the leading cause of new blindness in the
United States today. There is great need for informational material about kidney
disease, both in print and alternative format.
The Life Options Rehabilitation Program publishes several informational items
about dialysis, including the free audiotapes: Working Effectively with your
Dialysis Team, and Voices of Experience: Personal Stories. They also offer the
free video: Feeling Better With Exercise: A Video Guide for People on Dialysis.
Other material is available free for downloading in PDF format. Contact: Life
Options Rehabilitation Program; telephone: 1-800-468-7777; website: www.lifeoptions.org
Drug Tests
For any prescription drug to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), it has to go through a long and rigorous testing process -- and much
of that testing is on human subjects. Generally these volunteers are adult,
male, and white. Many drugs (not just diabetes medications) are not formally
tested on children, the aged, women, or minorities. Only a very limited number
of diabetes medications are licensed for use with children.
Doctors now routinely prescribe, for women and children, medications that have
been approved by the FDA for adults. This makes determination of exact dose
something of a trial-and-error process.
As type 2 diabetes is increasingly appearing among children and teens, the FDA
and National Institutes of Health are pushing for more testing on women, children
and minorities.
New Surgical Device
Camillo Ricordi, MD, Scientific Director and Chief Academic Officer at University
of Miami School of Medicine's Diabetes Research Institute, has received a world
prize for his invention of the Ricordi Chamber, a device that eases harvesting
and transplantation of pancreatic islet cells. As islet cell transplantation
is an important line of inquiry toward curing type 1 diabetes, the Ricordi Chamber
is an extremely important invention.
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."
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.
Division Board
The current (2000/2001) National Board of the Diabetes Action Network of the
National Federation of the Blind is:
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: Gisela Distel (Albany, NY)
Board Member: Paul Price (Valley Center, CA)
Board Member: Dawnelle Cruze (Portsmouth, VA)
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 291,436 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 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 291,436 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.
SUBSCRIPTION/DONATION FORM
The VOICE OF THE DIABETIC is a quarterly magazine published
by the Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
for anyone interested in diabetes, especially diabetics who are blind or are
losing vision. An outreach publication, it emphasizes good diabetes control,
diet, and independence.
Donations are gladly accepted and appreciated. Contributions
are not only tax deductible but are needed to keep the VOICE and the Diabetes
Action Network moving forward to help people with all aspects of diabetes.
Members of the NFB Diabetes Action Network enjoy priority services
and unique benefits such as a continuous free subscription to the VOICE, automatic
access to committees covering all aspects of diabetes, free counseling concerning
all facets of blindness and diabetes, as well as access to diabetics who have
experienced complications.
The VOICE is free to any interested person upon request. Each
subscription costs the Diabetes Action Network approximately $20 per year. To
help defray publication expenses, members are invited, and nonmembers are encouraged,
to cover the subscription cost.
To begin receiving the VOICE, please check one:
[ ] I would like to become a member of the NFB Diabetes Action
Network and receive the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC. (Members are entitled to special
benefits.)
[ ] I would like to receive the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC as a nonmember.
(Nonmembers are encouraged to pay the institutional rate of $20/one year; $35/two
years; $50/three years.)
Send the VOICE in (check one):
[ ] print [ ] cassette tape for the blind [ ] both
and physically handicapped
(recorded at slower-than-
standard speed of 15/16 IPS)
Optionally check this box:
[ ] I would like to make (or add) a tax-deductible
contribution of $__________ to the Diabetes Action
Network of the National Federation of the Blind.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Name:_____________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
City:_______________________ State:______ Zip:__________
Telephone: ( )________________________
Send this form or a facsimile to:
Voice of the Diabetic
1412 I-70 Drive SW, Suite C
Columbia, MO 65203
Telephone: (573) 875-8911
Fax: (573) 875-8902
Please make all checks payable to:
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
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