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.

SUGAR-FREE CANDIES

�� In our experience, most food defined by what it is not (like "fat free," or "sugar-free") tastes the part.� It never lets you forget what you're missing.� Liberty Orchards' candies are a very pleasant exception.� Based on the ancient recipe for Rahat Locum (Loukoumi, or Turkish Delight), these candies lack nothing but a bit of sugar.� It's hard to describe them, full of fruit and nuts, but you can get a free sample, and a free catalog, by contacting them:� Liberty Orchards, PO Box 179, Cashmere, WA 98815-0179; telephone:� 1-800-888-5696; website:� http://www.libertyorchards.com

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

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

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.

THE TYPE �N SPEAK

�� The Type 'n Speak 2000 is a portable, adaptive computer/notetaker for the blind, that provides speech access (in a number of languages), Braille translation compatibility, and industry-standard connection ports to your other equipment.� The unit does all this with a standard "typewriter" keyboard, and its rechargeable battery gives you 25 hours between charges.� Prices start at $1,395.� Contact:� Blazie Engineering, 105 East Jarretsvillw Rd., Forest Hill, MD 21050; telephone:� (410) 893-9333; website:� http://www.blazie.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 6.2 screen magnifier, and tutorials on cassette for programs like Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word 8.� They also offer Windows 95, 98, and NT compatibility, training audiocassettes free with purchase, and downloadable demo programs available from their website:� http://www.hj.com.� For information, or to purchase via the internet, contact:� Henter-Joyce, Inc., 11800 31st Court North, St. Petersburg, FL 33716; telephone:�� 1-800-336-5658; fax:� (813) 803-8001; e-mail:� [email protected]

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.

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.

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, it is available in sugar-free caplets.� Contact:� Abkit, Inc. New York, NY 10128; telephone:� 1-800-226-6227; website http://www.alphabetic.com

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 large 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.

DIABETIC SKIN CARE

�� Diabetes frequently leads to dry, cracked feet.� Since untreated, this dryness can lead to dangerous wounds and infections, prevention is the best cure.� Neoteric Diabetic Skin Care encourages healthy skin, and helps heal the small lesions that might otherwise progress.� Available in lotion or cream, suggested price $12.29 each.� To find a retailer near you, or to order on line, contact:� Neoteric Cosmetics, Inc., 4880 Havana Street, Denver, CO 80239; telephone:� 1-800-343-9555; fax:� (303) 576-6151; website:� http://www.neotericdiabetic.com

ALTERNATIVE LANCET

�� We have been asked to announce:� Although diabetics need to regularly test their blood sugars, all that jabbing with sharp lancets, to get a blood sample, can give you a pain!� Now there�s an alternative.

�� The Personal Lasette, from Cell Robotics, is a laser lancet.� It burns a small, clean hole sufficient for a blood test, and the manufacturer claims there is no pain.� Cost:� $995.� Contact:� Cell Robotics, Inc., 2715 Broadbent Pkwy., NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87107; telephone:� 1-800-846-0590, ext 100.

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

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.

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

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 = 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

NEW METER

�� The Prestige Smart System home blood glucose monitors, from Home Diagnostics Incorporated, offer touchable test strips, high accuracy, fast results, large memory, and the largest screen display in the business.� Now available at Walgreens, Eckerd Pharmacy, and CVS.� For information, contact:� Home Diagnostics Inc.; telephone:� 1-888-777-7357; website:� http://www.prestigesmartsystem.com

DIABETIC PRODUCTS

�� Health Care Products makes many over-the-counter medications and supplements for diabetics, including DiabetiSweet sugar substitute and DiabetiGest antacid/calcium supplement.� Find these products in the diabetic section of Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, Walgreens, K-Mart, and other retailers.� For information, contact:� Health Care Products, 369 Bayview Avenue, Amityville NY 11701; telephone:� 1-800-899-3116; website:� http://www.diabeticproducts.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 with 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.

DIABETES TOOLS

�� PALCO Labs makes tools for independent diabetes self-management.� Their Insul-eze is a combination syringe guide and magnifier, for easier insulin draw-up.� Their Load-Matic is a tactile insulin measuring device that aligns needle with vial, and loads a B-D 100-unit syringe by separate ten- or single-unit increments.� For information, or a catalog, contact:� Palco Labs, 8030 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062; telephone:� 1-800-346-4488; website: http://www.palcolabs.com�

Diabetes Supplies

�� Can-Am Corporation carries a full line of discount-priced diabetes supplies, including:� Dex-4 glucose tablets, skin cream, and Excel GE test strips for the Glucometer Elite monitor.� 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.

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.