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.

FREE VIDEO

Insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company is offering a free VHS videocassette titled "Stop: Take Control of Diabetes." To obtain a copy, while supplies last, call: 1- 800-785-3226.

DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Comforteze Sock Company manufactures large, comfortable, non-binding, all-cotton socks. Sizes medium, large, and extra large, they fit easily over bandages, and provide relief for sore and swollen feet. Price $6 per pair; money back guarantee. Call toll-free: 1-888-433- 6636.

TALKING LIFESCAN PROFILE

Myna Corporation, maker of the Voice Touch speech synthesizer for the LifeScan One Touch II glucose monitor, announces the Voice Touch Pro speech synthesizer for the One Touch Profile. The Pro attaches firmly to the base of the LifeScan monitor, and works entirely through the meter's controls.

Purchasers may order the Voice Touch Pro with male or female voice, and English or Spanish language speech. Myna Corporation offers a one-year warranty. The unit is priced at $189 (9-volt alkaline battery included). An AC adapter is available for $15 additional, and a carrying case for another $15. Myna Corporation also offers the LifeScan Profile glucose monitor for $125. For information, contact: Myna Corporation, 239 Western Avenue, Essex, MA 01929; telephone: (508) 768-9000.

BEAT MEDICARE PAPERWORK

If you are an insulin-controlled diabetic, paying for supplies with Medicare or private insurance, Diabetic Medserv, Inc. will ship you your supplies and complete your paperwork. They accept Medicare assignment, so you'd only be liable for the 20%, and if you have private supplemental insurance, you shouldn't owe anything at all! Diabetic Medserv also stocks safe, simple, and reliable vacuum therapy devices for male impotence. For information, call: 1-800-575-7557.

DIABETIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

The Anastasia Marie Diabetic Pure Skin Therapy Total Skin Care System for Face & 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 should be available at pharmacies nationwide. For more information or ordering assistance call: Consumers Choice Systems, Inc., Bellvue, WA 98005; telephone: 1-800- 479-5232.

REHABILITATION CENTERS

Many "blind rehab" centers offer training in the adaptive skills of blindness, but the following three work closely with the National Federation of the Blind, and adhere to its philosophy: that with appropriate training, equipment, and opportunity, blind people can be fully independent, productive, and involved in the mainstream. If you have need of training in non-visual computer skills, travel skills, or general life skills, or know someone who does, please consider:

B.L.I.N.D., Inc., Director: Joyce Scanlan, 100 E. 22nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404; telephone: (612) 872-0100.

The Colorado Center for the Blind, Director: Homer Page, 1830 S. Acoma Street, Denver, CO 80223-3606; telephone: 1-800-401-4632.

The Louisiana Center for the Blind, Director: Joanne Wilson, 101 S. Trenton, Ruston, LA 71270; telephone: 1-800- 234-4166 or (318) 251-2891.

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), now capable of reading WINDOWS 95. The company promises shortly to release JAWS for WINDOWS NT. 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; email: [email protected].

ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT

Maxi Aids is a supplier of adaptive equipment for the blind. They offer a free catalog (in print), and stock many diabetes-care items, such as talking glucose monitors, tactile insulin measurement devices, and many other tactile and low-vision products. For information, contact: Maxi Aids, 42 Executive Boulevard, PO Box 3209, Farmingdale, NY 11735; telephone: 1-800-522-6294.

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.

TALKING CALLER ID BOX

Today many people enjoy the convenience of "caller ID" service on their incoming phone calls. These machines help you decide, before you pick up the phone, if you really want to talk to that person right now. Now, caller ID service is available to the blind. CIDney is a speech-equipped caller ID box, that both recites the incoming caller's number and allows you to pre-program a number of spoken IDs, such as "Mom calling!" in your own voice (many sighted folks might enjoy this feature too!). The CIDney units start at $59, and are available from: Full Life Products, PO Box 490, Mirror Lake, NH 03853; telephone: (603) 569-2240.

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., 202B North 4th Street, Sanger, TX 76266; telephone: 1-800- 862-2348.

ADAPTIVE COMPUTING

HumanWare, Inc., a leader in adaptive computer technology for the blind and visually impaired, offers Braille computer terminals, Braille printers, electronic magnifiers (CCTVs), talking palmtop organizers, speech synthesizers, adaptive software products, specially configured talking computers, scanners and reading systems. New to their catalog are the Kurzweil Omni 1000 and Omni 3000 text-to-speech systems, Ultimate Reader and TextHELP, and the Braille Window display. For information about these and other products, contact: HumanWare, Inc., 6245 King Road, Loomis, CA 95650; telephone: 1-800-722-3393.

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

Heritage Diabetic Supply is a small, personalized source for your diabetes needs (insulin included), offering reasonable prices and one-on-one service. If you need something hard to find (like Diascan test strips), they will get it for you. Heritage handles Medicare and private insurance paperwork (no HMOs), and offers a free RSG glucose monitor just for signing up! Contact: Heritage Diabetic Supply, PO Box 1270, Marion, NC 28752; telephone: 1-800- 267-6509.

SUGAR-FREE FOODS AVAILABLE

The following is an alphabetized list of suppliers and manufacturers of low-calorie, low-fat products appropriate to the diabetic diet.

BERNARD FOOD INDUSTRIES, Inc., PO Box 1037, Evanston, IL 60204; telephone: 1-800-325-5409, offers a selection of low-fat and sugar-free foods. Free catalog.

CALCO FOODS CO., Inc., 3540 W. Jarvis, Skokie, IL 60076; telephone: 800-325-5409, manufactures a line of sugar-free and low-fat foods. Free catalog.

COZY CABIN SUGAR FREE PRODUCTS, 167 Portland Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; telephone: 1-800-525-2540, offers a sugar-free maple syrup.

DIABETIC DELIGHT, Inc., 1298 W. Roger Blvd., PO Box 686, Skiatook, OK 74070; telephone: 1-800-396-7776, offers sugar-free, low-fat, diabetes treats. Free catalog.

SUGAR FREE MARKETPLACE, 6710 N. University Drive, Tamarac, FL 33321; telephone: 1-800-726-6191, offers a selection of diabetic foods. Free catalog, in print or tape.

THE SUGARLESS SHOP, 700 Merritt Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21222; telephone: (410) 282-7571, offers a selection of diabetic foods. Free catalog.

FOOD EXCHANGE LIST

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

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.

NEW BOOKS

"Stop the Rollercoaster" is the closest thing yet to an "owner's manual" for diabetes. It contains chapters on everything from types of diabetes to charting with computers, from exercise to pregnancy, from tips on insulin to ketoacidosis, and a great deal more. Packed with charts and simple case studies, it offers the lay reader material previously presented only in professional texts.

Written by diabetes educators John Walsh and Ruth Roberts, and physician Lois Jovanovic-Peterson, "Stop the Rollercoaster," priced at $21.95, is available direct from Torrey Pines Press, 1030 West Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103-3821; telephone: 1-800-988-4772; fax: (619) 497- 0900.

The "Diabetic Goodie Book" is a new text dealing with that sweetest of subjects: dessert. Written by Kathy Kochan, a cooking instructor at Joslin Diabetes Clinic in Livingston, NJ, it tells you how to make over 150 different cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, coffeecakes, fruit desserts, puddings, pies, and more, all with full dietary and exchange information, and all designed for the lowest possible impact upon your diabetic meal plan. Ms. Kochan's book also includes many substitutions, how-to's, and other useful meal-planning information. "Don't cheat on your sweet tooth," she states, and with the "Diabetic Goodie Book" (price $15.95), you won't.

To order, contact: Appletree Press, Inc., 151 Good Counsel Drive, Suite 125, Mankato, MN 56001; telephone: 507-345-4848.

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ADVERTISERS

Effective advertising doesn't scream at its audience. It persuades. It sells. The key to cost-effective advertising is making your voice heard where an audience is already listening. VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, circulation 195, 449, offers such an outlet. Make your voice heard. For VOICE OF THE DIABETIC advertising information contact:

Eileen Rivera National Advertising Sales Manager 726 E. Belvedere Baltimore, MD, 21212 phone: (410) 435-3648 fax: (410) 435-6159

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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.

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