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 Skin Care Products

The Anastasia Marie Diabetic Pure Skin Therapy Total Skin Care System for Face and Body is a complete line of products specifically formulated for diabetic dry skin, including: Diapedic Foot Cream, Hand and Body Cream, Azulene Night Repair, and Day Protection Formula SPF 15. These products are available at pharmacies nationwide. For information or ordering assistance, call: Consumers Choice Systems, Inc., Bellvue, WA 98005; telephone: 1-800-479-5232.

Sugar Substitute

Sweetening without sugar is an issue for people with diabetes. Many sweeteners use aspartame, which only works on cold food -- you can't cook with it. But now there is another choice. Smoky Mountain Sweetener is a liquid concentrate utilizing saccharin. Equally effective hot or cold, containing no carbohydrates, calories, or sugar, it can put some of those hot, sweet dishes back on your table! For a free 4-oz. sample and more information, please write to: Smoky Mountain Sweetener, PO Box 507, Knoxville, TN 37901-0507.

Impotence Treatment

Male impotence is a not-infrequent complication of diabetes. Treatments are available; and one of the most effective involves use of vacuum constriction devices like the ErecAid System, Manufactured by Osbon Medical Systems. U.S. Medical Corporation, located in St. Louis, Missouri, stocks the ErecAid System and many other medical supplies. For information, contact: U.S. Medical Corp.; telephone: 1-800-408-7633. Medicare assignment accepted.

Insulin Vial Identification

The Ident-A-Cap system, manufactured by Terron, Inc., is a simple way to mark different insulin types, helping to cut misidentification and dosage errors. Utilizing brightly-colored plastic snap-caps with raised letters, it can help pharmacists, caregivers, and some visually impaired diabetics distinguish between insulins. Until the insulin industry adopts uniform tactile vial markings, this may be a worthwhile option. For information contact: Terron, Inc., 202 B. North 4th Street, Sanger, TX 76266; telephone: 1- 800-862-2348.

New 1995 Food Exchange List

The new "1995 Exchange Lists for Meal Planning" is now available in Braille (74 pages) and on audio cassette.

This update, the result of a joint effort of the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, reflects the new emphasis on total carbohydrate intake, rather than restricting specific sugar types. Users should find its new orientation simpler, and its meal plans vastly more flexible. In its new form, the "Exchange List" will continue to play a pivotal role in dietary self-management of diabetes.

To purchase, make tax deductible checks payable to: National Federation of the Blind. Cost: Braille $10, cassette $2. Order from: National Federation of the Blind, Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314.

WINDOWS Screen Reader

GW Micro has developed "WINDOW-EYES," a screen reader for Microsoft WINDOWS and WINDOWS-95. 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. A free demo disk is available! The WINDOW-EYES program costs $495, and is available from: GW Micro, 310 Racquet Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825; telephone: (219) 489-3671.

BRAILLE MONITOR by E-Mail

You can now get the National Federation of the Blind's monthly magazine THE BRAILLE MONITOR shipped each month automatically to your e-mail address. To get on the mailing list: Send, to [email protected], an electronic message containing the line "subscribe brl-monitor <your firstname/lastname>." Send your request from the e-mail address where you wish to receive the electronic text (the software will use your return address as the destination address for the MONITOR). You will receive an e-mail acknowledgement. For more information, including delivery problems, how to cancel your subscription or change your address, e-mail to [email protected]

New Diabetes Cookbooks

The American Diabetes Association announces two new cookbooks by nutritionist Robyn Webb. The first, DIABETIC MEALS IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS, features more than 140 recipes, plus dozens of tips on meal preparation and planning, storage and cleanup.

The second book, THE FLAVORFUL SEASONS COOKBOOK, provides over 400 recipes that coincide with the seasons of the year. "Three French Hens" and "Ginger Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce," "Fresh Tomato Herb Bisque," and "Moroccan Chicken Tajine" are a few of the recipes.

DIABETIC MEALS IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS costs $11.95, and THE FLAVORFUL SEASONS COOKBOOK costs $16.95. Both are available at bookstores, or from the American Diabetes Association, 1660 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: 1-800-232-6733.

Sugar Free Marketplace

Not quite everything for sale at the Sugar Free Marketplace is good for the diabetic diet. They also sell cookbooks, books about diabetes, and diabetic socks. The edible products they list, according to the catalog, are all made without refined sugar, corn syrup, honey or molasses.

For more information about the many food products offered by the Sugar Free Marketplace, or their non-food product lines, or for a free copy of their catalog (print or tape), contact: Sugar Free Marketplace, 6710 N. University Drive, Tamarac, FL 33321; telephone: 1-800-726-6191.

Magazines on Tape

We have been asked to announce: The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) offers its own audiocassette versions of two of America's most popular magazines: NEWSWEEK, and READER'S DIGEST. Each magazine is recorded in four-track at 15/16 ips ("talking book" speed, 1/2 normal music cassette speed), then mailed to the reader. Tapes do not have to be returned.

One year of NEWSWEEK on audiocassette, 52 weeks, costs $47. One year of READER'S DIGEST, 12 months, costs $15. Contact: The American Printing House for the Blind, PO Box 6085, Louisville, KY 40206-0085; telephone: 1-800-572-0844.

To listen to these tapes, you will need a four-track cassette player. These players are available free through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Telephone: 1-800-424-8567 for information. APH also sells such machines.

Large Print Magazine

READER'S DIGEST magazine offers a 12-month subscription to its large-type edition, for $11.95 per year. Each issue contains 352 book-size pages, fully illustrated, and is printed in a single column, for easier reading. Order from: READER'S DIGEST, LARGE TYPE EDITION, Dept. LTE, PO Box 241, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0241.

Skin Care Products

From the Editor: MI FINE SKIN is a line of skin care products of interest to diabetics. The line includes a cream, a lotion, and a soap-free cleanser, all appropriate for the dry skin we face as a consequence of our diabetes. I've used the lotion and the cream, and highly approve of them both. The cream is especially appropriate for our dry feet, and has been endorsed by diabetes educators and podiatrists as appropriate for diabetic foot care (a useful "diabetic foot care" pamphlet is furnished with the cream). I tried the cream on my feet; it's not greasy, and it works!

The soap-free cleanser comes in two varieties: "for normal, dry, or sensitive skin" (16 oz. bottle) and "for oily skin" (8 oz. bottle). The face and body lotion comes in an 8 oz. bottle, and the cream is packed in a 4 oz. jar. FREE SAMPLES OF THE CREAM AND LOTION ARE AVAILABLE.

For information, or to obtain a free sample, contact: MI SKIN, INC., 3645 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 321, Shaker Heights, OH 44122; telephone: 1-800-754-6066.

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., 115 E. Granada Blvd., Suite 9, Ormond Beach, FL 32176; telephone: 1-800-453-9033.

Diabetes Supplies

Can-Am Care Corporation carries a full line of 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.

For information, contact: Can-Am Care Corporation, Cimetra Industrial Park, Box 98, Chazy, NY 12921-0098; telephone: 1-800-461-7448.