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.

NEW DIABETES RESOURCES

The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind now offers DIABETES RESOURCES: EQUIPMENT, SERVICES AND INFORMATION, a comprehensive list of resources for diabetics. DIABETES RESOURCES is a compilation of companies and individuals offering products and/or information to help diabetics, especially those who are blind or are losing vision, to self-manage their diabetes. The list contains the following subject categories: General and Miscellaneous, Insulin Measurement Devices, Insulin Magnifiers, Insulin Injection Systems, Diabetic Foot Care, Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems, Insulin Pumps, Products for the Blind, Food and Diet, Literature and Information, Distributors of Diabetes Equipment and Supplies, and Medical Assistance.

Blind diabetics can and do accurately draw up insulin, monitor blood glucose, and perform the other tasks of independent self-management. By using alternative techniques and products, they can continue being independent, and control their diabetes as efficiently as do their sighted peers. Limitations are usually self-imposed—often all that is needed to overcome negative thinking is simply to know where to go for information.

The new DIABETES RESOURCES: EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, AND INFORMATION, costs $5 per copy and is available in Braille, large print, and audiocassette (recorded at 15/16 IPS for the blind). Please order from: National Federation of the Blind, Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314. Note: the Materials Center is open weekdays 12:30pm to 5:00pm Eastern time.

HUMALOG INSTRUCTION

Eli Lilly's Humalog insulin is powerful and efficient, but its responsiveness demands attention and understanding. "Getting Started With Humalog" is an instructional audiotape that takes you step by step through issues like dose change, timing with meals, pregnancy, children and adolescents, intensive therapy, and how to achieve the most benefit. The 90-minute tape also contains several case studies. Written and delivered by Betty Brackenridge, MS, RD, CDE, and Kris Swenson, RN, CDE, it is priced at $14.99, plus $1.50 shipping, and is available from: Learning Prescriptions, 1520 W. Warner Road, Suite 236, Gilbert, AZ 85233; telephone: (602) 813-5844.

DEX-4 GLUCOSE TABLETS

FROM THE EDITOR: Dex-4 glucose tablets, in lemon, raspberry, orange and grape flavors, are tasty, effective, and the tubes of 10 are easy to carry in a pocket or purse. They are also easy to open when you need them. I use Dex-4 myself. You can find them in pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide.

Each fruit-flavored, easy to chew glucose tablet contains four grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, with no fat, sodium, caffeine, or cholesterol, and only 17 calories. These value-priced tablets are available in tubes of 10 tablets or economy size bottles of 50.

For further information about Dex-4 or their many other diabetes care products, contact your pharmacist or Can-Am Care Corporation, Cimetra Industrial Park, Box 98, Chazy, NY 12921-0098; telephone: 1-800-461-7448.

DISETRONIC INSULIN PUMP

If you have diabetes, and need to take insulin, intensive therapy with the pump may be your best choice. The Disetronic H-TRONplus V100 insulin pump is compact and convenient. Many blind pumpers, and those losing vision, find the unit's audio and tactile cues allow independent non-sighted operation. Talk to your doctor about the pump.

For more information, contact Disetronic Medical Systems, Inc., 5201 E. River Road, Suite 312, Minneapolis, MN 55421-1014; telephone: 1-800-688-4578; website: http://www.disetronic.com

MINIMED INSULIN PUMP

For diabetics who need insulin, pump therapy is one option. The insulin pump offers excellent control, plus increased flexibility in scheduling mealtimes and activities. The MiniMed 507 pump is compact, simple, and water-resistant, and may be your best choice for intensive insulin therapy. Many blind diabetics successfully use this pump. For information, contact: MiniMed Technologies, 12744 San Fernando Road, Sylmar, CA 91342; telephone: 1-800-440-7867.

TALKING COMPUTERS

Henter-Joyce, Inc., maker of the "JAWS" series of computer screen readers, offers screen-to-speech software including "JAWS For WINDOWS" (JFW 3.0), now capable of reading WINDOWS 95. The company also produces "JAWS for WINDOWS NT," and software for the DECtalk speech synthesizer. 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 33716-1805; telephone: 1-800-336-5658 or (813) 803-8000; fax: (813) 803-8001; email: info@hj.com

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.

DIABETES SUPPLIES

Preferred RX offers three ways to help you save on diabetes supplies and prescription drugs:

1. INSURANCE BILLING. They file the claim, handle the paperwork, and pay for delivery. No advance payment needed.

2. MEDICARE BILLING. Medicare pays for approved diabetic supplies (and starting July 1 that list will cover type 2 diabetics!). Preferred RX will handle the details, and pay for delivery.

3. Discount Prescription Club. No insurance? No prescription drug coverage? Preferred RX offers discounts at over 36,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Contact: Preferred RX, 34208 Aurora Road, Suite 132, Solon, OH 44139; telephone: 1-800-843-7038; website: http://www.preferredrx.com

FOOT MAGNIFIER

The Optiscan 2000 is unique. This device uses illumination, magnification, and fiber optics to allow visual inspection of hard to reach areas like the bottom of the feet. Foot inspections are important, and if you have neuropathy, or limited mobility, this device could be of significant benefit. Priced at $249, plus $5 shipping, it is available from: Optiscan, Ltd., 1355 Bobolink Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069; telephone: 1-800-801-5600; fax: (310) 550-6363.

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.

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 three-month warranty, with optional one-year warranty extension. 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 a talking laptop computer, the Myna. For information, contact: Myna Corporation, 239 Western Avenue, Essex, MA 01929; telephone: (978) 768-9000; fax: (978) 768-9911; e-mail: mynacorp@aol.com

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.

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 $7 per pair; free shipping and handling.

Call toll-free: 1-888-433-6636. Visit us on the Web, at: http://www.peconic.net/comforteze

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.

WINDOWS SCREEN READER

GW Micro now offers "WINDOW-EYES for WINDOWS 98," a screen reader that also supports Microsoft WINDOWS 3.1 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, or you may download the demo program from the Internet. The WINDOW-EYES program is available from: GW Micro, 310 Racquet Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46825; telephone: (219) 489-3671; fax: (219) 489-2608, e-mail: support@gwmicro.com; website: http://www.gwmicro.com

PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD

Call 1-800-528-7890 for a free 60-day trial prescription drug card. You should be able to save up to 50% on prescription drug needs, and up to 60% on vision care needs. There's no risk; if you like it, you can keep the card for about $80 per year. If you decide it's not for you, pitch it! Call, 9am, to 5pm, EST, and tell them you're responding to offer PC#700A.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Comprehensive Health Services, Inc., offers a customer direct diabetic supply program. They stock glucose monitors for the sighted and visually impaired, test strips, syringes, and other diabetic products. Medicare and private insurance accepted; free and convenient home delivery; 24-hour toll-free telephone; training and emergency customer support. Guaranteed full refund on supplies returned within 30 days of purchase. To qualifying customers, no "out of pocket" cost for diabetes supplies; no insurance paperwork to fill out.

For information, call: 1-800-795-6167, or contact: Comprehensive Health Services, 221 N. Front St., Suite 203, Wilmington, NC 28401.

DIABETES BOOKS

The Diabetes Mall and Torrey Pines Press announce the availability of many high quality publications, including: "Sweet Kids, Diabetes: Beating the Odds," "The Diabetic's Brand Name Food Exchange Handbook," "Pumping Insulin," "Stop the Rollercoaster," "In Control," and more! For a complete list and order form, contact: Torrey Pines Press, 1030 West Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103; telephone: 1-800-988-4772.

SPANISH LANGUAGE DIABETES MATERIALS

"La Dieta Diabetica" is the Spanish version of the Diabetic Exchange List. Updated, includes latest exchanges, and recipes. Price $6.75, available from NCES, Inc., 1904 East 123d Street, Olathe, KS 66061-5886; telephone: 1-800-445-5653; fax: 1-800-251-9349.

"Controle su Diabetes: Guia para el cuidado de su salud" is the Spanish version of "Take Charge of Your Diabetes," published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The book is available (large print or cassette) from regional branches of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. For the name and address of the nearest branch, telephone: 1-800-424-8567.

CHILD'S DIABETES COLORING BOOK

"A Kid Like You...with Diabetes: Color With Jennifer" is a new 24-page coloring book published by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). The text and colorable illustrations walk a child through Jennifer's experiences with diabetes, and serve to familiarize kids and their parents with the condition, and with what a diabetes educator is all about. Copies are $3 each, and are available from: AADE Member Service Center, 444 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1240, Chicago, IL 60611-3901; telephone: 1-800-338-3633.

FREE DIABETES LITERATURE

The National Federation of the Blind maintains an extensive literature collection, with free materials on many subjects available in a variety of formats. The articles listed below make up one part of the collection, the "diabetes" category:

"Insulin Measurement Devices," "Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy," "Diabetics, Don't Give Up on Braille," "How I Went Blind...And Then What," "Review of Oral Diabetes Medications," "Preventing, Minimizing, or Delaying Kidney Failure," "Impotence, and How to Prevail," "Can I Eat Sugar?," "Cardiovascular Health: Bypass may be Better for Diabetics," "Arthritis and Diabetes: A Common Association," "Blind Diabetics Can Draw Insulin Without Difficulty," "New Dietary Guidelines for Diabetes Management," "Keeping Your Feet," "What Is Diabetes Mellitus," "Talking Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems," "Diabetic Eye Disease," and "Kidney Failure, Dialysis, and Transplantation."

These articles are available in large print and four-track 15/16 IPS audiocassette for the blind. All are free of charge. To order, or to request a complete NFB literature catalog, contact: NFB Materials Center, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (410) 659-9314. The Materials Center is open 12:30pm to 5pm, EST, weekdays.

HEAR YE, HEAR YE, A RAFFLE

The Diabetes Action Network of the National Federation of the Blind reaches out and provides support and information to thousands of people. Because it costs to operate this valuable network and to produce the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, we must generate funds to help cover these expenses. Our Diabetes Action Network has elected to hold a raffle, which will be coordinated by our division treasurer, Mary Hurt.

THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The winning ticket will be drawn, and the winner's name announced, on July 9, 1998, at the banquet held during the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind.

Raffle tickets cost $1 each, or a book of six may be purchased for $5. Tickets may be purchased from state representatives of our Diabetes Action Network or by contacting the VOICE Editorial Office, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (573) 875-8911. Anyone interested in selling tickets should also contact the VOICE Editorial Office. Tickets are available now! Names of persons who sell 50 tickets or more will be announced in the VOICE.

Please make checks payable to the National Federation of the Blind. Money and sold raffle ticket stubs must be mailed to the VOICE office no later than June 10, 1998, or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman Mary Hurt, at this year's NFB convention in Dallas, Texas. This raffle is open to anyone age 18 or older, and the holder of the lucky raffle ticket need not be present to win. Each ticket sold is a donation, helping keep our Diabetes Action Network moving forward.

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. Please provide a phone number so we can reach you.