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 Diabetics Division of the NFB.
  
For Better Diabetes Care

The following will help your diabetes educator give you the best  advice for
staying healthy.
Be sure to talk to your educator about:

    Any questions about your diabetes care
    Your family and friends' reactions to your diabetes
    Any problems doing what your doctor recommends
    Any problems using supplies (syringes, blood glucose meters)
    Results of recent tests or exams (feet, blood pressure, cholesterol,
blood sugars)
    When you have had a flu shot 
    Any changes in eyesight or problems with your feet
    When you take insulin and test your blood sugar
    Your eating and exercise habits

Brought to you by Becton Dickinson and Company and Boehringer Mannheim
Corporation, committed to advanced care and education in diabetes.

Dialysis
 
During this year's national convention in Chicago, Illinois (Saturday, July 1
through Friday, July 7) dialysis will be available. Individuals requiring
dialysis must have a transient patient packet and physician's statement filled
out prior to treatment. Conventioneers should have their unit contact the
desired location in the Chicago area for instructions on what must be done.
Unit social workers should also contact the Shearer Program, American Kidney
Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852; telephone:
1-800-638-8299. Shearer will pay the Medicare 20 percent co-payment (approx.
$30) for transient dialysis, as well as any physician's fees for treatment.
The program, however, does not cover the drug Erythropoietin, chart readings,
or lab work.
If Shearer is not used, individuals must pay out of pocket, prior to each
treatment, the approximate $30 not covered by Medicare. Note: If patients wish
reimbursement, receipts must be sent to the American Kidney Fund Shearer
Program no later than two weeks after the last day dialyzed.
DIALYSIS CENTERS SHOULD SET UP TRANSIENT DIALYSIS LOCATIONS USING THE SHEARER
PROGRAM FAR IN ADVANCE. THIS HELPS ASSURE A LOCATION BEING RESERVED FOR ANYONE
WANTING TO DIALYZE.
If conventioneers do not have Medicare, but have Medicaid, Shearer will pay
$200 towards the cost of dialysis each year.

Here are some dialysis locations:

1.   NEO Medica Dialysis Center Inc., One East Delaware, Chicago, IL   
60611; telephone: (312) 266-9000. Location is fairly close to  the convention
center. To schedule, call patient representative  Marie Mason (312) 654-2785.

2.   Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Dialysis Unit, 250  East
Superior, Chicago, IL 60611; telephone: (312) 908-3327.  Location is fairly
close to the convention center.

3.   Hyde Park Kidney Center, 1439 East 53rd St., Chicago, IL, 60615; 
telephone: (312) 947-0770. Location is approximately 50  blocks from the
convention center. Taxi fare is about $15, so pooling will minimize cost. This
unit claims they can handle ten  to fifteen patients with adequate notice.
Contact Ruth Ann  Riley.

Please remember to schedule dialysis treatments posthaste to insure space. If
assistance is needed contact: Diabetics Division President Ed Bryant at (314)
875-8911. See you in Chicago!

Elections Coming Up
   
At this year's national convention in Chicago, Illinois, elections will be
held to fill divisional board positions. These are one-year terms that will
run from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996. Positions to be filled are: President,
First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you
are interested in a board position, or know someone who you think would do a
good job, then contact our Diabetics Division President Ed Bryant. Yes, hard
work and dedication are prerequisites for each board position. Anything
worthwhile is usually challenging and requires hard work. Leadership should be
a positive force, and one should lead by good example.

New Address

We have been asked to announce: The Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind has
moved to a new office in Manhattan. Their mailing address is: 80 Eighth
Avenue, Room 1304, New York, NY 10011; telephone: (212) 242-0263 or fax: (212)
633-1601.
The monthly magazine, founded in 1907, covers a wide range of subjects and
gives news of interest to blind and visually impaired persons. It is published
in Grade 2 Braille and on four-track, half-speed cassette.

New State Coordinator

The National Federation of the Blind of Florida proudly announces a new
Diabetics Division coordinator. The position is held by Teri Gayton of Citrus,
FL. Teri is capable, hard working, and has a vibrant personality. She adds a
lot to the NFB of Florida's ability in serving those with diabetes and
blindness.
Congratulations, Teri. You have earned the appointment.

Test Strip Recall

Diagnostics Solutions, Inc. has announced a recall of certain blood glucose
test strips for use with Glucometer 3 and One Touch meters.
The recall applies to test strips (specific lot numbers only) packaged under
brand names: Quick Check, Brooks, Full-Value, Perry, Relief-Plus, and
Valu-Rite. 
"We identified these test strips as not meeting our strict quality guidelines
for long-term product stability," said Gary Krantz, president of Diagnostic
Solutions.
Users may contact the Diagnostic Solutions Recall Coordinator at
1-800-446-4374 for further information regarding their test strips and to
obtain replacements on a "two-for-one" basis. 

Big Picture

We have been asked to announce: The American Printing House for the Blind
(APH) offers a portable electronic magnifier that enlarges print images onto a
television screen.
The device, called the Big Picture, connects to the antenna or cable TV input
on the back of a television. With a miniature camera attached to a controller,
the user can scan any typed or handwritten material on paper, medicine bottles
or canned goods. Depending on the size of the screen, the print can be
manipulated for easier reading. The Big Picture comes in a compact carrying
bag with connecting cables and a power adaptor. 
To order, or for information, contact the APH at 1-800-223-1839.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, A Raffle

The Diabetics Division of the National Federation of the Blind reaches out,
providing 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 Diabetics Division has
elected to hold a raffle. This project will be coordinated by our treasurer,
John Yark. 
THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500! The name of the winner will be drawn on July 6,
1995 at the banquet held during the annual convention of the National
Federation of the Blind.
Raffle tickets cost $1.00 each or a book of six may be purchased for $5.00.
Tickets may be purchased from state representatives of our Diabetics Division
or by contacting the Voice Editorial Office, 811 Cherry Street, Suite 309,
Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (314) 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
16, 1995 or they can be personally delivered to Raffle Chairman, John Yark, at
this year's NFB convention in Chicago, Illinois. This raffle is open to
everyone. The holder of the lucky raffle ticket need not be present to win.
Each ticket sold is a donation which helps keep our Diabetics Division moving
forward.

National Convention

The 1995 Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take
place July 1 through 7 at the Hilton and Towers Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois 60605, (312) 922-4400. This exquisite hotel has over 1500
rooms with 14 elevators. Room rates for the 1995 convention are: $47, singles;
$49, doubles and twins; $54, triples; and $57, quads; plus tax.
During the annual convention of the NFB, our Diabetics Division will sponsor a
seminar featuring a keynote speaker. 

1995 NFB Diabetics
Division Seminar
  
The NFB Diabetics Division will hold a seminar at this year's National
Federation of the Blind annual convention. It is our yearly Diabetics Division
conference/business meeting. 
This year's keynote speaker will be a registered dietician with expertise in
diabetes food management. Pertinent dietary information, relevant to
diabetics, will be discussed. This meeting will take place on Monday, July 3,
beginning at 6:30 p.m. The conference location will be in the agenda,
available at the registration table.
Plan, prepare, and be rewarded. This year's convention will be great!

Plan Ahead and Be Prepared

At this year's annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind there
will be many insulin-dependent diabetics in attendance. Each of us should have
the foresight to bring extra insulin and syringes so as to avoid needing to go
in search of a pharmacy. 
At every convention, a few diabetics undergo avoidable hypoglycemic attacks.
Hotels are jammed, and restaurants are packed, with long waits for a table. We
insulin-dependent diabetics should always be prepared for an insulin reaction.
THINK AHEAD! Always carry something sweet, such as candy or glucose tablets,
that can be used for reactions. We should be sure to have, in our rooms, snack
foods to help control our food needs.
We diabetics can travel anywhere and do almost anything we want. One thing we
cannot do is go without food. Our bloodstreams should have a balance of
insulin and glucose. If there is not enough glucose (food) then we have an
"insulin reaction."
"Plan ahead and be prepared."

Risk Factor Linked To
Blood Pressure

We have been asked to announce: A first study by the Johns Hopkins Medical
Institutions indicates that even small increases in blood pressure in men can
lead to kidney failure over a 15-year period.
According to the author of the study, Michael J. Klag, M.D., M.P.H., the
finding is significant because end-stage renal disease is becoming more
common, in the United States, than any other blood pressure-related diseases. 
These findings were independent of age, race, number of cigarettes smoked,
previous heart attacks, diabetes, income, and serum cholesterol. (Editor's
Note: Diabetic men and women with high blood pressure are far more prone to
renal disease.)

Display Tables

For this year's annual convention of the NFB, our Diabetics Division has
reserved space in the exhibit hall, where we will display literature and
equipment of interest to blind diabetics and others interested in diabetes.
There will be hundreds of other display tables with products and information
that may be of interest to blind persons.
CAN YOU HELP? It takes many people to work the display tables, and if you can
help for two hours, four hours, or more, please contact our Display Table
Committee Chairman: Bill Parker, Lafayette Tower, 4601 Mayflower Road, Apt.
2D, Norfolk, VA 23508; telephone: (804) 623-1638.

New Radio Reading Service

We have been asked to announce: WQCS Classic 89 FM now offers a   Radio
Reading Service for the Blind, Visually, and Physically Impaired. The primary
purpose of this new program is to read for those who can no longer read on
their own. 
The Radio Reading Service can only be picked up on an SCA receiver that will
broadcast from South Brevard County to a portion of the Palm Beaches. The
service, receiver, and delivery of the receiver are free of charge to all
eligible persons within the listening area. Programming will be 24 hours a day
and will consist of most local and national newsstand publications, magazines,
old radio dramas, etc.
For information about receiving service or volunteering contact: WQCS Radio
Reading Service, Attn.: Peemoy K. Walters, P.O. Box 89, Fort Pierce, FL 34979;
telephone: (407)-462-4537.

Dry Gangrene

We have been asked to announce by a leader of our Diabetics Division: I have a
condition my doctor calls "dry gangrene." Although it is not quite as
threatening as the kind that involves an infection, it is nevertheless serious
and painful. Dry gangrene is caused by blood vessels in the fingertips closing
down completely due to such complications as diabetes and some transplant
medications.
Anyone who has suffered this particular condition or has information, please
contact: Allan D. Nichols, 1885-C Cherry Court, Cheyenne, WY 69201; telephone:
(307)-638-8073.

Free Medical Emergency Necklace

We have been asked to announce: in case of an emergency, the attending
physician or paramedic needs to know you have diabetes. To receive a necklace
at no charge contact: Free Diabetes Alert Necklace, Children's Diabetes
Research Foundation of America, Inc., 1200 Potomac St. NW, Suite 300,
Washington, D.C. 20007; telephone: (202) 298-9211.

Nicaragua

The Diabetics Club of Northern Nicaragua requests information about diabetes
to educate people about the disease and is in urgent need of supplies. For
information please contact: Ricardo Calero, Presidente del Club de Diabeticos,
Comedor Sequiera, del Centro de Salud Leonel Rugama , 1/2 Cuadra Al Norte,
Esteli Nicaragua.

Test Strip Settlement Reached

We have been asked to announce:  After 17 months of litigation, an
out-of-court settlement was reached between LifeScan, Inc. and Can-Am Care
Corporation over the selling and advertising of Can-Am Care's Quick Check ONE
blood glucose test strips.
Under a new licensing agreement granted by LifeScan, a Johnson & Johnson
company, Can-Am Care is guaranteed the right to continue selling and
advertising Quick Check ONE test strips.  Originally, LifeScan had filed for
patent infringement.  They also sought a preliminary injunction to block the
sale and advertisement of Can-Am Care's less expensive test strips because
they were designed for LifeScan's One Touch meters.
Clinical studies have shown that Quick Check ONE test strips are as effective
as One Touch strips.  For information call Can-Am Care Corporation at
1-800-461-7448.

Voice Distributors Needed

Since the Voice is now offered free, our Diabetics Division 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 St., Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201;
telephone: (314) 875-8911.n
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