[Diabetes-talk] Still needing help for someone to learn to check her blood sugar

[Mike Freeman]

I don't think a phone call will do it: you and the knowledgeable woman are
actually going to have to go out and work with the woman physically.

And I *still* say that it would be better for you and the client to
physically work with a certified diabetes educator. Once the client has got
the thing down, she can work with her own physician or do whatever she
likes. And I'm not saying it's impossible for a knowledgeable friend to
help. But often the friends know little about teaching someone to do
something, let alone knowledgeable in how a blind person does things.

With great respect and with no criticism implied, it appears to me that both
you and your client seem somewhat resistive to getting your client the best
care. Although for the most part, diabetes care can be reduced to the level
of a nuisance just as blindness can, it (diabetes) isn't something to mess
around with.

Since you seem to have your road mapped out, I am moved to wonder what help
you really want from us?

Admittedly, I didn't receive instruction in a class or one-on-one. But when
I was in the hospital in DKA and discovered I had diabetes, a CDE gave me
instruction on how to test blood sugar and how to give myself shots although
I didn't do the latter for real until I had to do it myself anyway.

But what are you wanting help with?

Thanks.

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bonnie Lucas via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2014 11:44 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Still needing help for someone to learn to check
her blood sugar

Hi All,

I posted a while back for a lady who is blind and has diabetes. I have
checked with her about going to see a diabetes educator and she has informed
me that her doctor is a very small one woman operation. She lives in a town
just north of Anchorage and frankly, this is Alaska! What I'd like to try,
and she is in favor, is to find a woman who is knowledgeable and patient to
talk with her about what she has tried and what might work. Also, she has a
sighted friend who is prediabetic and checks her blood sugar. This lady
might be able to help and she could participate on the call. It might even
be possible to talk with her about finding a different doctor, one in
Anchorage. If she knew how important this was, she might be willing to come
in. She has some transportation help, I think. If you are interested, please
email me personally at blucas at alaskabvi.org<mailto:blucas at alaskabvi.org>
Thanks very much.

Bonnie Lucas, MS, CVRT, MSW
Braille and Technology Instructor, VISA Coordinator Equipping Alaskans for
Success Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
3903 Taft Drive
Anchorage, Alaska  99517
Phone: (907) 248-7770    Direct: (907) 771-4306
www.alaskabvi.org       www.facebook.com/alaskabvi

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