FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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.

HERBAL DENTAL PRODUCTS

We have been asked to announce: Diabetes raises the risk of gum disease. Oral hygeine, regular preventive dental self-care, is extremely important if you have diabetes.

Many commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes contain things like sweeteners, detergents, dyes, and alcohol. The Natural Dentist Herbal Toothpaste and Gum Therapy and Herbal Mouth and Gum Therapy contain only natural ingredients, and are alcohol- and sugar-free. In tests, they were as antibacterially effective or better than the leading brands. Prices are: $9.99 for the mouthwash (8-oz bottle) and $6.99 for the toothpaste (4-oz tube). To find these products, check your local Wal-Mart, or health food stores, or call: 1-800-615-6895, for the location of the store nearest to you. The Natural Dentist, Woodstock Natural Products, Inc., 140 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; telephone: 1-800-615-6895; website: http://wwwthenaturaldentist.com

TALKING BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR

There are many reasons why you might wish to keep track of your blood pressure. What if you are blind or losing vision? A talking blood pressure monitor, one that speaks its results, allows independence, whether for the blind athlete, the person with hypertension and failing vision, or the blind person needing to adjust medication. A&D Medical now offers the Talking Blood Pressure Monitor, a high-quality, fully-certified device with simplicity of operation. Cost is $189, and for more information, contact: A&D Medical, 1555 McCandless Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035; telephone: 1-800-726-9855; website: http://www.andmedical.com

FIND A DIABETES EDUCATOR

The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) maintains a list of Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) in different parts of the country. To find a diabetes educator near you, call 1-800-832-6874.

TALKING TELEPHONE CALLER ID

We have been asked to announce: The CIDney Model 560 Talking Caller ID will "speak" an incoming caller's 10-digit phone number (or custom caller category), between the first and second ring. If that number is blocked or unidentifiable it will announce "number blocked," or "number unidentifiable." The unit stores the last 99 incoming phone numbers, and speaks them back to you on command, along with date and day of the call. It has a visual and audible "message waiting" indicator, and its three-line LCD displays name, number, date and time. The 560 also has a new "dial back" feature. Priced at $49.95, contact: Full Life Products, PO Box 490, Mirror Lake, NH 03853; telephone: 1-800-400-1540; website: http://www.superproducts.com

NEW TAPE PLAYER AND RECORDER

We have been asked to announce: Blind people and those losing vision can make use of an extensive library of "talking book" recorded literature, much of it distributed free of charge by the U.S. Library of Congress. A number of magazines, including VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, are available in this special NLS format as well. The only problem has been the limited availability of the specialized tape players needed to listen to these tapes, and the even more limited availability of machines that allow you to record in this format. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (1-800-424-8567) provides free tape players to the legally blind, but they're big "desktop" machines, and they don't record.

There have been only a few companies making "talking book speed" four-track recorders and players. Now there is another. Telex Communications, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minnesota, announces the Tutor and the Narrator. The Tutor is a small, inexpensive ($129) two-speed recorder, that allows you to play four-track NLS format tapes, and to record on two tracks, at either speed. The Narrator is a bigger "desktop" four-track tape player, fully featured for use by the blind, at a low price ($99.95). To find out more about these talking book products, contact: Telex Communications, Inc., 9600 Aldrich Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55420; telephone: 1-800-828-6107; website: http://www.telex.com

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 (NLS) 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.

A BRICKLAYER

TO: Insurance Co.

Dear Sir:

I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident reporting form, I put "trying to do the job alone" as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient.

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had about 500 lbs. of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley that fortunately was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out, and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 500 lbs. of bricks. You will note in block number 11 of the accident report form that my weight is 135 lbs.

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and collarbone.

Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.

Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.

At approximately the same time however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel then weighed approximately 50 lbs.

I refer you again to the information in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of my legs and lower body.

The encounter of the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks in pain unable to stand and watching the empty barrel six stories above me, that again I lost my presence of mind, and I let go of the rope. The empty barrel weighed more than the rope, so it came down upon me and broke both of my legs.

I hope I have furnished the information you required as to how the accident occurred.

DIGITAL VOICE RECOGNITION ORGANIZER

Hand-held "palmtop" computers are increasingly popular, but until now have not incorporated adaptive devices that would allow blind people, or those losing vision. to make full use of them. The V3 Parrot Plus, from TMT Direct, rectifies this problem. The Parrot is a digital organizer/electronic day timer, which allows you to perform basic math calculations, tells you date and time, stores phone numbers, personal addresses, dials phone numbers, and records and edits memos. All this is retrievable by your own voice spoken into the unit. The Parrot both responds to your voice, and with its own voice talks you through its many functions and features. The Parrot comes with an optional PC cable and program diskette, allowing you to transfer stored data to a computer. An "international" version is available, to run in other languages. It comes with an instructional cassette, to walk you through the steps. Priced at $199.95, the Parrot is available from: TMT Direct, 840 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80226; telephone: 1-888-936-0001; website: http://www.redwhiteandblue.org

FOOD CATALOGS IN ADAPTIVE FORMAT

We have been asked to announce: If you are blind or visually impaired, and you live in an area served by Schwan's Food Service, you can now receive their Mealtime Catalog of home delivery food products in the following alternative formats: Text-only IBM computer disk (optimized for talking computers), NLS-format four-track cassette tape (requires "talking book" tape player), or Braille. The computer disk version is available immediately; the other formats are produced on request, and can take several weeks. Like the print catalog, these versions contain product numbers, descriptions, nutrition and packaging information. Not all foods may be appropriate to a diabetic diet. To obtain the catalogs, or to find out more about Schwan's, contact: Schwan's Home Service, 600 Michigan Road, Marshall, MN 56258; telephone: 1-800-544-8708 or 1-888-724-9267.

THE 1998-99 DIABETES ACTION NETWORK BOARD

President: Ed Bryant (Columbia, MO); First Vice President: Janet Lee (Cedar, MN); Second Vice President: Sandie Addy (Prescott Valley, AZ); Treasurer: Bruce Peters (Akron, OH); Secretary: Sally York (Castro Valley, CA); Board-Members-at-Large: Gisela Distel (Albany, NY), and Eric Woods (Denver, CO).

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 252,555 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.