WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO ASK

�(Resource Column)

Artwork:� Hand pulling a book from a shelf of books

Inclusion of materials in this publication is for

information only, and does not imply endorsement by the

Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.

NEW STUDY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Diabetic retinopathy is a frequent complication of

diabetes.� In some cases, ruptured capillaries leak blood

into the eye, a "vitreous hemorrhage," which can cloud the

eye, obscure vision, and cause blindness.

Diabetes is only one of many reasons vitreous

hemorrhage can occur.� Those conditions have each their own

treatment--but the problem they share is getting the opaque

blood out of the eye.� Traditionally, you can wait for it to

clear by itself (up to 18 months in some cases!), or you can

undergo a vitrectomy, a surgical procedure where the blood

is removed.

Advanced Corneal Systems (ACS), of Irvine, California,

is engaged in testing a third alternative.� ACS has

developed an investigational medication, called Vitrase,

which offers a quick, non-surgical alternative to vitrectomy

surgery.� They need volunteers to help them complete their

tests of Vitrase.� If you are 18 years or older, and have

experienced retinal bleeding, please contact Clinicor to

discuss participation.� Telephone:� 1-800-208-7023.

SAVE YOUR SKIN

Lantiseptic is a line of skin care products of interest

to diabetics.� The line includes a cream and a skin

protectant, both appropriate for the dry skin diabetics can

face.� The cream is especially appropriate for dry feet, and

has been clinically tested as appropriate for diabetic foot

care.

Both products come in tube or jar, and FREE SAMPLES ARE

AVAILABLE.� For information, or to obtain a free sample,

contact:� Summit Industries, Inc., PO Box 7329, Marietta, GA

30065; telephone:� 1-800-241-6996.� For a free sample,

telephone:� 1-800-347-2456.

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.

READING MACHINE

There are many ways to cope with the problems loss of

vision brings to reading.� One is to use an optical reading

machine like the Kurzweil 1000.� With such a machine, you

scan a printed page into computer memory, from where it is

then read by a synthesized voice.� Large-print text is not

necessary; you can read most any text.

Reading machines vary in accuracy, size of vocabulary,

and quality of synthesized voice.� Kurzweil has been a

leading name in sound synthesis for over 20 years, and the

L&H Kurzweil 1000, their newest product, is a superb

instrument.� To find out more about this reading machine,

contact:� Lernout and Hauspie Speech Products USA, Inc.,

Kurzweil Educational Systems Group, 52 Third Avenue,

Burlington, MA 01803; telephone:� 1-800-894-5374; e-mail:

[email protected]; website:

http://www.lhsl.com/kurzweil1000

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT CONVENTION

The Assistive Technology Industry Association, an

organization of adaptive equipment manufacturers,

distributors and related service personnel, is having a

conference and exposition, in Orlando, Florida, January 24

through 27, 2001.� In their words:� "The purpose of this

conference will be to provide a forum for education and

communication to professional practitioners serving those

with disabilities (teachers, occupational therapists,

rehabilitation counselors, physicians, psychologists,

speech-language pathologists, etc.), with the overarching

goal of providing enhanced benefits and opportunities to

people with disabilities."

The organizers expect more than 100 presentations, more

than 100 exhibitors, and many networking opportunities.� For

more information, contact:� ATIA; telephone:� 1-877-687-

2842; e-mail:� [email protected]; website:

http\\www.atia.org

Insta-Glucose

If you have type 1 diabetes, you know low blood glucose

can be a sneaky enemy.� Diabetes medications are powerful

but imprecise; and, if you misdose, if you miss a meal, if

you are ill, or if you have unexpected, unscheduled

exercise, you can find yourself going down.� You need sugar,

fast!� You need to be carrying it with you, before trouble

hits.

Many people carry sugar candy, or diabetic glucose

tablets; but one practical alternative is Insta-Glucose, by

ICN Pharmaceuticals.� Insta-Glucose is stronger (one tube,

one treatment, equals 24 grams of glucose), and it works

faster than glucose tablets.� It is easy to use, and very

easy to carry.� Be prepared!� It is available at many

pharmacies and discount chains.� For information, contact:

ICN Pharmaceuticals, ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Ave., Costa

Mesa, CA 92626; telephone:� 1-800-711-9486; website:

http://www.instaglucose.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;

website:� http://www.diabeticare.com

TALKING COMPUTERS

Henter-Joyce, Inc., maker of the "JAWS" series of

computer screen readers, offers screen-to-speech software

such as JAWS For WINDOWS (JFW), the new MAGic 6.1 screen

magnifier, and tutorials on cassette for programs like

Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word 8.� They also offer

Windows 95, 98, and NT compatibility, and as of August

31,1999, there have been significant price cuts.� Find out

more at their website:� http://www.hj.com, or contact them

for information:� Henter-Joyce, Inc., 11800 31st Court

North, St. Petersburg, FL 33716; telephone:� 1-800-336-5658;

fax:� (813) 803-8001; e-mail:� [email protected]

NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

Your insulin or oral diabetes medications are only part

of your diabetes self-management.� Although food supplements

do not replace your medications, and the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration has not evaluated their efficacy to prevent

or treat any disease, a healthy diet is important, and

research is continuing on the role specific supplements may

play in controlling diabetes.� AlphaBetic Multi-Vitamin

Supplement is a food supplement formulated for the special

needs of diabetics.� A blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and

minerals, is available in sugar-free caplets.� Contact:

Abkit, Inc. New York, NY 10128; telephone:� 1-800-226-6227;

website:� http://www.alphabetic.com��

DIABETES SUPPLIES

Can-Am Corporation carries a full line of discount-

priced diabetes supplies, including:� test strips, Dex-4

glucose tablets, skin cream, etc.� The company also markets

the Monoject line of insulin syringes and lancets.� Many

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:� Can-Am Care Corporation,

Cimetra Industrial Park, Box 98, Chazy, NY 12921-0098;

telephone:� 1-800-461-7448.

NEW 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 new 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.

LIFE INSURANCE FOR DIABETICS

If you have diabetes, you know it can be very difficult

to find life insurance.� Empire Financial, based near

Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in insuring people with

"high-risk" conditions, especially diabetes and its

complications.� "We are specialists in high risk," says

Gardner Redd, their CEO.� "For 18 years we have covered all

ages, 0 to 90, and all impairments, even people who have

transplants."

Contact Empire Financial Insurance, 600 Reierstown

Road, Pikesville, MD 21208; telephone:� 1-877-263-8603.

TREAT MALE IMPOTENCE

For men who've had diabetes many years, one possible

ramification is impotence, the inability to sustain an

erection.� This can be treated in a number of ways, but the

least invasive is vacuum therapy.

The Vet-Co Vacuum Therapy System for male impotence is

FDA-approved, safe, non-invasive, and easy to use.� For

information, call:� Coast To Coast Home Medical; telephone:

1-800-330-6316.

WINDOWS SCREEN READER

GW Micro now offers WINDOW-EYES for WINDOWS 98, a

screen reader program that also supports Microsoft WINDOWS

3.1, WINDOWS 95 and WINDOWS 98.� 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!� 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]; website:

http://www.gwmicro.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.

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

Homed Pharmacy Services will deliver your diabetic

supplies to your door.� If you have Medicare, and/or private

insurance, your supplies may come at no cost to you.� Homed

handles all insurance claims, and delivery is free.� For

more information, call Homed Pharmacy Services; telephone:

1-800-226-7212; fax:� 1-800-381-9929; internet:

http://www.diabetsupply.com

NEEDLE-FREE INSULIN INJECTION

There is a way to inject insulin without a needle!� The

Vitajet 3 administers a fine jet of insulin through the skin

without need for a needle.� It works, and users report less

discomfort.� Try it yourself; 30-day money back guarantee.

Contact:� Bioject, Inc., 7620 SW Bridgeport Road, Portland,

OR 97202; telephone:� 1-800-848-2538; website:

http://www.vitajet.com

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.�

�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

811 Cherry Street, Suite 309

Columbia, MO 65201

Telephone:� (573) 875-8911

Fax:� (573) 875-8902

Please make all checks payable to:

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

END of VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, Volume 15, Number 2, Spring

Edition 2000