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Diabetes Action Network of Alabama

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The NFB Diabetics Committee and the NFB Diabetes Action Network promote the independence of blind diabetics. Voice of the Diabetic, the group's quarterly magazine (published in ink print and on cassette), provides information on the methods used by blind diabetics to manage the disease independently. It also discusses current medical developments in dealing with diabetes and its many complications. Above all, it shows diabetics that they have options, regardless of the complications they may face. In Alabama, you may contact Lois Williams, Alabama Spokesperson for the NFB Diabetes Action Network. Lois' story was first published in Quality Perspectives, a monthly publication of the Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation. It is a must-read for anyone who has, or knows someone who has Diabetes. A much-expanded version was published more recently in Voice of the Diabetic, the quarterly publication of the NFB Diabetes Action Network.

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DIABETES INFORMATION

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Diabetes is a disease that affects the lives of so many persons in America. In February 2000 I bought a video tape from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse entitled Changing the Way Diabetes is Treated. The tape featured health professionals who met at the National Institute of Health in Washington D. C. to discuss the increase of Type 2 diabetes. This was a major effort to wake up America regarding the seriousness of diabetes. At that time there were 16 million diagnosed diabetics and 5.4 million undiagnosed diabetics. Among the Pima Indians in Arizona 50% had diabetes. One in every five African American women 55 years old or older had diabetes. In the Hispanic population 10% had diabetes. There were 123,000 children under the age of 19 with diabetes. It was documented that one billion dollars was spent on this disease. Every day 150 amputations were performed, 75 persons were diagnosed with kidney failure and 70 persons lost their vision all to diabetes. These are only 3 of the many complications caused by elevated blood sugar levels. Would you believe that only 8% of the population at that time said they took diabetes seriously? I wonder if the percentage has increased with the rapid increase of new cases? I hope so. One health professional on the video stated that, "it is better to prevent than lament", another person said that it is important to educate the patient as well as the health provider. Diabetes education is not only for the people who have diabetes but also for the community, the state, and yes even the country. The cost of diabetes affects everybody's "pocketbook." I had not seen this video for over a year or so. It is now October 2003, has there been any changes? Yes, but the changes are for the better. The Centers for Disease Control now estimate 17 million Americans have diabetes, and an estimated 12,000 to 24,000 people will lose their sight because of it this year. Alabama, my home state, is now #1 in the nation for the incidence of diabetes (according to the Huntsville Times, for January 7, 2003). More Americans are obese, and children are developing Type 2 at a younger and younger age, which means folks will have diabetes longer and the risk of diabetes complications, as well as the health care cost in dollars, goes way up. What can be done to halt or at least slow down this epidemic? Every diabetes organization, the news media and many health professionals are advising the public to eat less and be more active. Folks need to pay attention, and take definite action - KEEP AT IT! Every one can improve their health whether they have diabetes or not, by eating to a calorie and carbohydrate budget that is realistic for them. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator, or visit your Health Department; also read the Voice of the Diabetic food tips and diabetic recipes every issue. Whether you have diabetes or not, you can improve your health by starting an exercise program, and sticking to it. There are programs to follow for people with diabetes complications. You can become more active. Why are we not doing these things? I have "coined" an acronym, the Diabetic's DIME. For good diabetes control use the D I M E! D is for diet, I is for information, M is for monitoring and E is for exercise. The D I M E works for me, even after 30 years of ignorance of the seriousness of diabetes, and 30 years of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. If I had not developed diabetic retinopathy, (it got my attention), if I had not learned about diabetes, if I had not made some lifestyle changes I doubt if I would be alive today. If perchance I would be alive I am sure that I would be a burden to my family. I am so grateful for all the information that is available, most of it is FREE; you just have to know where to go. Start with the Voice of the Diabetic. You can look at the diabetes pages of the American Diabetes Association, the U S Center for Disease Control, the online magazine InteliHealth, or the National Institutes of Health the International Diabetes Center or the excellent private diabetes website. Local doctors, offices, hospitals, and even pharmacies have free handouts, and most of them are good quality. Take advantage of this information. It is there for you, and using it can help prevent diabetes or slow the progression of the complications. If you are interested in getting a support group started in your area, getting more information on diabetes and/or receiving the Voice of the Diabetic, please contact me at loiscares898(at)yahoo.com. My motto: For good diabetes control use the D I M E ! Lois Williams Secretary, Diabetes Action Network Coordinator, Diabetes Action Network of Alabama Coordinator, The Caring Link Diabetics' Support Group Interim Coordinator, Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center Diabetes Support Group Volunteer, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Task Force

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