Note: Resources mentioned below do not imply endorsement by the Diabetes Action
Network of the NFB.
Help for Diabetic Amputees
The mission of The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is to reach out to people
with limb loss and to empower them through education, support and advocacy.
This includes access to, and delivery of, information, quality care, appropriate
devices, reimbursement, and the services required to lead fulfilling lives.
The ACA publishes InMotion, a magazine that addresses topics of interest to
amputees and their families. The ACA toll-free hotline provides answers and
resources for people who have experienced the loss of a limb. In addition, the
organization develops and distributes booklets, video tapes, and fact sheets
to enhance the knowledge and coping skills of people affected by amputation.
To contact the ACA, call (888) AMP-KNOW (888-267-5669), or check out the Web
site at www.amputee-coalition.org.
New Video Resource for Amputees
The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is excited to announce a series of nine
new streaming videos entitled Introductory Amputee Care on the ACA Web site.
The videos, narrated by ACA President and CEO Paddy Rossbach, contain important
information for new lower limb amputees. The nine short videos include “Wrapping
with an Elastic Bandage (AK or BK)”, “Applying a Shrinker”,
“Getting Up from the Floor”, “Walking with a Dynamic Response
Foot”,
“Using a Cane”, “Using a Walker”, “Using Crutches”,
and “Donning an AK Prosthesis with a Full Suction Socket”. These
skills are important to the recovery process for all amputees, and these unique
videos make initial care for people with limb loss easy to understand. They
are an important resource for professionals and caregivers to share with anyone
learning how to live with limb loss. The video series can be accessed at the
following location: http://www.amputee-coalition.org/video/introductory_amputee_care.html.
In addition, the ACA library contains a number of other video resources. Our video collection, available for interlibrary loan, contains information on a number of topics relevant to the limb loss community, including rehabilitation for upper extremity, trans-tibular and trans-fibular amputees. If you are interested in learning more about available library resources, including information on interlibrary loan, contact the ACA library at library@amputee-coalition.org.The mission of the Amputee Coalition of America is to support, educate and advocate for people with limb difference. These educational videos, including both those available for download and interlibrary loan, are a great FREE resource for people living with limb loss. Whether you are a professional in the industry, a caregiver, or a person with limb loss, contact the ACA to utilize all the resources available to you.
The National Kidney Foundation Can Assist Diabetics
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) publishes a variety of informational materials
about diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The NKF also provides resources and
support for those undergoing dialysis or kidney transplants. The NKF seeks to
prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being
of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability
of all organs for transplantation. For more information, call the NKF at (800)
622-9010, or go to www.kidney.org.
Talking Health-monitoring Devices
You can buy a number of useful medical tools, such as the Lo-Dose Count-A-Dose
tactile insulin syringe-filling tool, a talking blood pressure cuff, a talking
digital thermometer, and a talking prescription bottle reader. Prices are reasonable,
and in some cases the lowest anywhere. Enhance your independence and health!
Contact the NFB’s Independence Market at telephone: (410) 659-9314 (select
option 4 from the voice menu); Web site: www.nfb.org.
Low Vision Tools
The NFB Independence Market has many useful assistance aids for low vision individuals.
If you need assorted magnifiers, low-vision felt-tip pens or large-print items
such as address books, calendars or check registers, you will find them among
the useful items in the market. Contact the NFB’s Independence Market
at telephone: (410) 659-9314 (select option 4 from the voice menu); Web site:
www.nfb.org.
Helpful Web site: www.mendosa.com
“Diabetes is a disease that perhaps more than any other depends much more
on the patient than on the doctor.” So begins the Web site of David Mendosa,
a freelance writer who has written hundreds of articles about diabetes and everything
related to it, and is diabetic himself. There are links to all of his writings,
plus resources that he has found by scouring the Web for a wealth of diabetes
information. www.mendosa.com
Read the Paper by PHONE with NFB-NEWSLINE®
NFB-NEWSLINE® makes daily newspapers and magazines accessible by phone.
Users listen to the news via synthesized voice. No computer is needed and it
is FREE! New feature: national television listings! To subscribe contact: NFB-NEWSLINE®,
1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; telephone: (866) 504-7300.
Diabetes Supplies
American Diabetic Supply, Inc., will ship your diabetes supplies to your door.
They handle all insurance claims and provide free delivery. Those with Medicare
and/or private insurance (no HMOs) may receive supplies at no further cost.
For information, contact: American Diabetic Supply, Inc., telephone: (800) 453-9033,
ext. 611; Web site: www.americandiabeticsupply.com.
Prodigy Meter
Prodigy® Voice makes monitoring your blood glucose level easier than ever.
An essential tool for the visually impaired, the audio function is also perfect
for
all who prefer the spoken word to a digital display. Audio prompts guide you
through each step of using your meter and testing your blood, and
when the test is done you hear the results. For more information visit www.prodigymeter.com
or call 800-366-5901.
Erectile Dysfunction Assistance
Discount Diabetic can provide you with vacuum therapy for your erectile dysfunction
and insurance will probably cover it! Effective method, proven to help. Call
today 800-501-1074 or visit www.discountdiabetic.com.
Low Carb Pasta
High fiber, low carb, delicious Dreamfield’s pasta can help you control
your blood sugar and stick to a healthful diet. Raise your expectations, not
your blood sugar. Visit www.tryDreamfields.com for more information.
Visionaware.org Announces A Special Free Publication on Diabetes and
Diabetic Retinopathy
VisionAWARE is pleased to present Are You AWARE? A Special Newsletter Issue
on Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy with Debbie Sokol-McKay, OTR/L, CVRT, CDE,
CLVT as guest author. Debbie holds certifications as a vision rehabilitation
therapist, diabetes educator, and low vision therapist, and is a licensed occupational
therapist. She provides workshops on adaptive diabetes self-management and low
vision in hospital, university, and practice settings, works as an industry
consultant and private practitioner, and is an adjunct instructor at the Pennsylvania
College of Optometry.
Contents and Special Features:
• An introduction to diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
• How blood glucose levels relate to diabetes
• The difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
• How diabetes affects the eyes and vision
• Detecting diabetic eye disease
• Treating diabetes and managing your diabetes
• Resources and links for diabetes
VisionAWARE is also pleased to offer our Special Issue Newsletter on Diabetes
and Diabetic Retinopathy in the following formats:
• A regular print downloadable version
• A large print downloadable version
• Read it online
• How Might Diabetic Retinopathy Affect Everyday Activities? In the Vision
and Services section of our regular Web site
Contact Us:
VisionAWARE’s “Self-Help for Vision Loss” Web site contains
free, practical information to enhance quality of life and independence for
adults with vision loss, their families and friends, caregivers, and vision
professionals. Learn more at www.visionAWARE.org
A Wealth of Information
At One Site DiabetesXChange.org is a new online clearinghouse for promising
initiatives in diabetes care, prevention and management in the U.S. Whether
it’s a small community-based initiative, university-sponsored effort,
corporate wellness program or large government project, visit the Web site to
learn more.