[Diabetes-Talk] Our September 2026 Diabetes Action Network Newsletter

[Lino Morales]

Thanks Gary. I hope to learn something as a type II. Its been two years 
in July 2024 I got the jag. Thanks.

On 9/23/2026 4:14 PM, Gary Under via Diabetes-Talk wrote:
> Hello, Lino. We will certainly be providing more information about how to register for the Diabetes Action Network seminar, so keep following this list. Although we would love to have you as a member and can use the energy of everyone to advance our cause, it is not a requirement that you be a member in order to participate in the seminar. Perhaps something in the seminar will convince you that it is worthwhile to be a part of what we do. Whether it does or not, we gladly share the information and are glad for those who benefit from it.
>
> Warmly,
>
> Gary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Lino Morales via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 2:07 PM
> To: Gary Wunder via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Lino Morales <linomorales001 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Our September 2026 Diabetes Action Network Newsletter
>
> Howdy Mr. Gary. I'm interested in the seminar in FEB of next year. Will
> more info be made available closer to time about payment? I'm not a
> member of NIB or CAB so will that be a problem? Thanks.
>
> On 9/23/2026 1:25 PM, Gary Under via Diabetes-Talk wrote:
>> Hello, good people. Our September newsletter is attached as a MS Word
>> document and in the body of this email. It should be easily navigable by
>> headings in the Word version, but, of course, we hope you find all of it
>> worth a read.
>>
>>    
>>
>> We welcome your comments, your participation, and your wisdom.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Warmly,
>>
>>    
>>
>> Gary Wunder, Denise Charlier, and ISMAEL COLLAZO
>>
>>    
>>
>> Diabetes Action Network Newsletter
>>
>> September 2026
>>
>>    
>>
>> Looking Back and Moving Forward with DAN
>>
>> By Debbie Wunder
>>
>> Last July, sixty-three of us came together at the National Federation of the
>> Blind Convention for the Diabetes Action Network meeting. We had the chance
>> to learn, to listen, and to hear each other's experiences.
>>
>> One panel brought together three couples: Jean and Ron Brown, Dean and
>> Denise Charlier, and Curtis and Peggy Chong. They spoke candidly about how
>> they support one another through the diabetes journey, including the moments
>> when that support can be difficult.
>>
>> We also heard from our youngest speaker ever, Khaleesi, just ten years old
>> and living with type 1 diabetes. She talked about going to school, wearing
>> an insulin pump, and how she handles diabetes as part of her daily life.
>>
>>   From Meghan Whalen we learned about the remarkable work of training dogs to
>> serve not only as guides for people who are blind, but also as diabetic
>> alert dogs. We heard about the training process and how these dogs can alert
>> their handlers to high or low blood sugar.
>>
>>    
>>
>> We also welcomed three new board members: Joanne Wilson, Ismael "Izzy"
>> Collazo, and Joy Ruth Stigile. We asked those gathered to share their hopes
>> and dreams for the future of diabetes care and for DAN itself.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Looking ahead, there is more to be excited about. Our quarterly newsletter
>> is growing, and we are inviting members to help name it. Send your
>> submissions to debbiewunder at socket.net. The person who submits the winning
>> name will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
>>
>>    
>>
>> And on the last Friday and Saturday of February 2027, we will host our
>> fourth annual Knowledge Is Sweet seminar. This will be a two-day virtual
>> event with a $30 registration fee. More details will be coming soon.
>>
>>    
>>
>>   From a ten-year-old showing us how she navigates school, to couples sharing
>> honest moments of support and struggle, to members sharing their hopes for
>> the future, we were reminded just how much we can learn from one another.
>>
>>    
>>
>> That's what DAN is about: sharing, listening, supporting one another, and
>> making sure no one walks this road alone.
>>
>>    
>>
>> We've done a lot, but there is much more ahead. We hope you'll be a part of
>> it.
>>
>> By Any Other Name
>>
>> By Gary Wunder
>>
>> It is said that a rose is a rose by any other name, but this observation
>> doesn't go any distance toward naming our newsletter. We wanted to have a
>> name that reflects what we do, who we are, and what we aspire to see happen
>> for people who are blind and deal with diabetes. To this end, we have
>> created a contest to see that this gets done. Anyone wishing to name our
>> newsletter should make their submission to our president through email by
>> writing to
>>
>> debbiewunder at socket.net. The reward will be a $50 Amazon gift card, and we
>> welcome your suggestions. Please put your mind to this, and let us come up
>> with something that encompasses all that we are and all that we may be!
>>
>> The Great Halloween Sugar Showdown: Keeping Your Diabetes from Getting
>> Spooked
>>
>> By Denise Charlier
>>
>>    
>>
>> October is coming, which means cooler temperatures, colorful leaves,
>> football, pumpkin everything. and enough Halloween candy to make a
>> diabetic's blood sugar meter scream, "BOO!"
>>
>> For those of us living with diabetes, Halloween can feel like a month-long
>> obstacle course filled with miniature chocolate bars, caramel apples,
>> cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and candy bowls that seem to magically appear
>> everywhere. The good news? You do not have to hide in the closet until
>> November 1 to survive it.
>>
>> You can enjoy Halloween, participate in parties, and have a little fun
>> without completely derailing your diabetes management.
>>
>> The Candy Bowl Is Not Your Enemy-but It Is Persistent!
>>
>> Let's be honest. There is something about a miniature candy bar that makes
>> it seem harmless. After all, it is tiny! Unfortunately, our blood sugar does
>> not care about the size of the candy bar. A few small pieces here, a handful
>> there, and suddenly those "just one more" treats can add up.
>>
>> The first step is not to declare candy forbidden. For many people, telling
>> themselves they can never have something makes them want it even more.
>> Instead, plan for treats. If you want a piece of your favorite Halloween
>> candy, have one and enjoy it. Sit down, savor it, and move on. You do not
>> have to eat six pieces while standing next to the candy bowl wondering where
>> the other five went.
>>
>> Do Not Arrive at the Party Starving
>>
>> One of the best Halloween strategies is surprisingly simple: eat before you
>> go. If you arrive at a Halloween party ravenously hungry, that bowl of candy
>> corn suddenly looks like a perfectly reasonable dinner. Instead, have a
>> balanced meal or snack beforehand that includes protein, fiber, and a
>> reasonable amount of carbohydrate. This can help you feel satisfied and make
>> it easier to make thoughtful choices when the treats appear.
>>
>> A small Greek yogurt, an apple with a little peanut butter, vegetables with
>> hummus, or a small turkey sandwich can be much better than showing up hungry
>> enough to consider eating the decorative pumpkin.
>>
>> Bring Something You Can Actually Eat
>>
>> If you are going to a Halloween party, offer to bring a dish. This gives you
>> the opportunity to put something diabetes-friendly on the table. Consider
>> bringing:
>>
>> 1.           A vegetable tray with a lighter dip
>>
>> 2.           Fresh fruit arranged in a fun Halloween design
>>
>> 3.           Cheese and whole-grain crackers
>>
>> 4.           Turkey or chicken skewers
>>
>> 5.           A big salad with vegetables and a lean protein
>>
>> 6.           Deviled eggs
>>
>> 7.           Roasted vegetables
>>
>> 8.           Greek yogurt dip with vegetables
>>
>> 9.           A lower-sugar fruit dessert
>>
>> 10.        Air-popped popcorn in individual portions
>>
>> And remember, "diabetes-friendly" does not have to mean "boring." You can
>> make food festive without covering everything in frosting.
>>
>> Make Halloween Treats Work for You
>>
>> There are plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween flavors without turning your
>> blood sugar into a haunted house. Try Greek yogurt with a few berries and a
>> sprinkle of cinnamon. Have a small apple with peanut butter. Enjoy a small
>> portion of dark chocolate if it fits into your meal plan. Make a pumpkin
>> spice yogurt or oatmeal using unsweetened pumpkin puree and cinnamon.
>>
>> You can even create Halloween-themed snacks. Think:
>>
>> "Monster" veggie plates with cucumber, peppers, and carrots.
>>
>> "Ghosts" made from banana slices with small blueberry eyes.
>>
>> "Pumpkin patches" made with orange slices and berries.
>>
>> A little creativity can make healthier choices feel like part of the
>> celebration rather than punishment.
>>
>> Remember That Drinks Count, Too
>>
>> Halloween parties can also bring plenty of sugary beverages. Punch, apple
>> cider, specialty coffees, and regular soda can add a surprising amount of
>> sugar and carbohydrate. Water, sparkling water, unsweetened tea, or a
>> zero-sugar beverage can be easier choices. If you want a special drink, make
>> it part of the plan rather than drinking several servings without thinking
>> about it. And do not forget the simple trick of carrying a water bottle.
>> Sometimes we are not hungry at all-we are simply thirsty, bored, or standing
>> within three feet of a bowl of candy.
>>
>> Use the "Pick Your Favorite" Rule
>>
>> Halloween offers a ridiculous number of choices. Chocolate. Gummies.
>> Caramels. Peanut butter cups. Cookies. Cupcakes. Candy corn.
>>
>> Instead of sampling everything, choose the treat you genuinely love. If you
>> do not really care about candy corn, why waste your carbohydrate budget on
>> something that tastes like a candle wearing an orange costume? Choose the
>> treat that makes you happy. Have a reasonable portion. Enjoy it. Then move
>> on.
>>
>> Portion Control Is Your Halloween Superpower
>>
>> You do not have to eat directly from the package. Put your chosen treat on a
>> plate or in a small bowl. Seeing the portion can help you keep track of how
>> much you are eating. And consider buying smaller quantities of candy rather
>> than keeping a giant supply in the house for weeks. Because let's be honest:
>> "I'm keeping this candy for the trick-or-treaters" sounds great until you
>> realize the trick-or-treaters are three weeks away, and the Reese's cups are
>> disappearing mysteriously.
>>
>> Get Moving!
>>
>> Halloween is also a great opportunity to add some activity. Take a walk and
>> look at the decorations in your neighborhood. Walk with your family or
>> friends. Visit a pumpkin patch. Dance at a Halloween party. Play games with
>> the kids or grandkids.
>>
>> Physical activity can be an important part of diabetes management, and it
>> does not have to mean spending an hour on a treadmill. Just remember that if
>> you use insulin or medications that can cause low blood sugar, talk with
>> your diabetes care team about how activity and changes in food intake may
>> affect your blood sugar. Check your glucose as recommended by your
>> healthcare team, and be prepared to treat a low if you are at risk.
>>
>> Do Not Let One Treat Become an Entire Weekend
>>
>> Perhaps the most important Halloween rule is this: One treat does not equal
>> failure. If you eat a cupcake, candy bar, or piece of pie, you have not
>> ruined everything. Do not fall into the "I already messed up, so I might as
>> well keep eating" trap. Enjoy the treat, acknowledge it, and get back to
>> your normal eating plan at the next meal.
>>
>> Diabetes management is not about being perfect. It is about making healthy
>> choices most of the time and learning how to handle the occasions when
>> things do not go exactly as planned.
>>
>> Halloween Can Still Be Fun
>>
>> Having diabetes does not mean you have to sit at home wearing a black cape
>> and glaring suspiciously at everyone else's candy. You can dress up. You can
>> attend parties. You can hand out candy. You can enjoy Halloween traditions
>> with your family. You can have an occasional treat. The trick is to make
>> treats a small part of the celebration instead of allowing them to become
>> the entire celebration.
>>
>> Plan ahead. Eat balanced meals. Bring foods you enjoy. Watch portions.
>> Choose your favorites. Stay active. Keep an eye on your blood sugar. And
>> most importantly, give yourself some grace. Because Halloween is supposed to
>> be a little spooky. Your blood sugar meter does not have to be.
>>
>> Happy Halloween, and may your October be filled with more pumpkin spice,
>> laughter, and good memories than sugar spikes!
>>
>> The Biography of Ismael Collazo
>>
>> Ismael "Izzy" Collazo has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 41 years,
>> having been diagnosed when he was just eleven months old. He has also been
>> totally blind for approximately twelve years.
>>
>> Izzy serves as president of the National Federation of the Blind of South
>> Dakota. He advocates at the local, state, and federal levels for
>> accessibility, independence, and equal opportunities for blind and disabled
>> people.
>>
>> Diabetes advocacy is deeply personal to Izzy. In addition to managing type 1
>> diabetes himself, he is the father of a ten-year-old daughter who also has
>> type 1 diabetes. This gives him the perspective of both a person living with
>> the disease and a parent supporting a child through it.
>>
>> Izzy is also a writer and public speaker who uses honesty, humor, and lived
>> experience to educate others about blindness, diabetes, accessibility, and
>> healthcare.
>>
>> He is honored to serve as a new board member of the Diabetes Action Network
>> and looks forward to helping blind people with diabetes gain better access
>> to technology, education, and peer support.
>>
>> The Biography of Joy Ruth Stigile
>>
>> Hello. My name is Joy Ruth Stigile. Two weeks after being diagnosed with
>> type 1 diabetes in October 1966, I started taking insulin the old-fashioned
>> way with glass syringes and metal needles that screwed on to the glass
>> syringe after boiling them in a big pot of water to sterilize them after
>> each use. Now, I am very happy that my treatment has evolved over the years,
>> now using plastic syringes, insulin pens, and now the Tandem Mobi insulin
>> pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), the Dexcom G7.
>>
>> I am very pleased to rejoin the Diabetes Action Network as a board member. I
>> am also on the Diabetes Action Network of California board as president. I
>> am an active member of my local National Federation of the Blind of
>> California chapter, which is the San Fernando Valley Chapter, where I serve
>> as the fundraising chair. I enjoy hiking and reading best-selling novels.
>>
>>    
>>
>> I am very happy to be married for twenty-six years to Robert. We have been
>> very fortunate to have adopted two older girls who have blessed us with two
>> wonderful sons-in-law, and each of them has given us a precious
>> granddaughter.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Life is good! Yes, indeed life is good!
>>
>> Giving Grace
>>
>> By Debbie Wunder
>>
>> Some days, diabetes feels heavier than others. Not because of the food or
>> the numbers, but because of everything that comes along with them-the mental
>> load, the constant decisions, the second-guessing, and all those "what ifs."
>>
>>    
>>
>> And then there is life itself. Maybe you are anxious about an upcoming
>> event. Maybe you aren't feeling well. Maybe you're dealing with family
>> concerns, work, grief, lack of sleep, or just the ordinary stresses that
>> everyone faces. All of those things can affect diabetes, sometimes in ways
>> we can't predict or control. And when our blood sugar doesn't cooperate, it
>> can be very easy to add one more burden: being hard on ourselves.
>>
>> That's when we need to remember the importance of giving grace. Giving
>> yourself grace doesn't mean giving up or not caring about your diabetes. It
>> means recognizing that you are human. It means taking a breath before
>> reacting to a high or a low and resisting that little voice that asks, "What
>> did I do wrong?"
>>
>> Sometimes there isn't a simple answer. Giving grace might mean choosing an
>> easy meal on a difficult day without feeling guilty about it. It might mean
>> asking someone for help. It might mean acknowledging that today was hard and
>> saying, "That's okay. I'm still showing up."
>>
>> We spend so much time trying to manage diabetes that it can be easy to
>> forget that caring for ourselves involves more than insulin, medications,
>> food, exercise, and numbers. How we speak to ourselves matters, too.
>>
>> Grace isn't a prize we earn for having perfect numbers. Grace is part of the
>> care. So perhaps, especially on the difficult days, we can give ourselves a
>> little more of it.
>>
>> May we meet ourselves the way we'd meet a friend-with patience, softness,
>> and room to breathe.
>>
>> GLP-1 Drugs: Are They Really as Remarkable as They Seem?
>>
>> By Gary Wunder
>>
>> I recently visited my doctor, and one of the things we discussed was my
>> beginning treatment with a GLP-1 drug. I am now waiting for the necessary
>> insurance preauthorization. At age seventy-one, with diabetes, stage 3
>> kidney disease, and a need to lose weight, I have good reason to explore
>> whether one of these drugs might be useful to me.
>>
>> Therefore, what follows is not an account of my personal experience with a
>> GLP-1 drug. I don't have that experience yet. What I do have is considerable
>> curiosity, some reading on the subject, and the opportunity to watch the
>> rather remarkable effects these drugs have had on people I love.
>>
>> The more I have read, the more questions I have had. Here are some of them,
>> along with the best answers I can find.
>>
>> Admittedly this is a rather long article. The fact that it is broken up by
>> questions can let you easily skim if you wish. You can easily search for the
>> word question:, or you can navigate by heading if you find that you are not
>> interested in the answer to a question or already know it. One caution
>> should precede everything that follows. This article is intended to provide
>> information, not medical advice. Our knowledge of these drugs continues to
>> develop, and nothing here can substitute for a conversation with a physician
>> who knows your health, medications, and medical history.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Question: What are GLP-1 drugs, and why do they seem so revolutionary?
>>
>> GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. GLP-1 is a hormone our bodies
>> already make, primarily in the intestine after we eat. Among other things,
>> it helps tell the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is elevated,
>> reduces the release of glucagon-a hormone that can raise blood sugar-and
>> affects the digestive system and brain in ways that influence appetite and
>> how much we eat.
>>
>> Scientists developed drugs that imitate or enhance these effects. These are
>> called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
>>
>> Some of the names are already familiar. Semaglutide is sold as Ozempic for
>> type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management and certain other
>> indications. Liraglutide has been sold as Victoza for diabetes and Saxenda
>> for weight management. Tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and
>> Zepbound for weight management and obstructive sleep apnea in certain
>> adults, is technically somewhat different. It acts on both GLP-1 and another
>> hormone system called GIP, or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide.
>> Nevertheless, it is commonly included in conversations about the new
>> generation of GLP-1 drugs.
>>
>> What makes these medications so unusual is the number of important things
>> they appear capable of doing. They can lower blood sugar substantially. They
>> can make people less hungry. They can produce weight loss of a magnitude
>> that was once difficult to achieve without bariatric surgery. Certain drugs
>> in the class have also demonstrated benefits involving the heart and
>> kidneys. This combination of effects explains much of the excitement
>> surrounding them.
>>
>> Question: How were GLP-1 drugs discovered?
>>
>> They grew out of a much longer scientific effort to understand why the body
>> handles food differently when it enters the digestive tract.
>>
>> Researchers discovered that the intestine does more than digest food. It
>> also sends chemical messages. One of those messengers is GLP-1. Scientists
>> eventually learned how to create medications that could activate the GLP-1
>> receptor but remain active much longer than the naturally occurring hormone.
>>
>> The original goal was not to create a revolutionary weight-loss drug. GLP-1
>> receptor agonists were developed as treatments for type 2 diabetes. The
>> profound effect on appetite and weight became increasingly important as
>> researchers and physicians gained experience with them.
>>
>> Question: How much weight can a person actually lose?
>>
>> This varies enormously from person to person and from one drug to another,
>> so averages should not be mistaken for promises.
>>
>> Still, the numbers explain why these drugs have attracted so much attention.
>> In a major trial of semaglutide at the dose used for obesity treatment,
>> participants without diabetes lost an average of about fifteen percent of
>> their starting body weight over sixty-eight weeks. The comparison group
>> receiving placebo and lifestyle intervention lost about two percent.
>>
>> The results with tirzepatide have been even larger in some trials. In one
>> major study of people with obesity but without diabetes, participants
>> receiving the higher doses lost, on average, roughly twenty percent of their
>> starting body weight over seventy-two weeks.
>>
>> These are averages. Some people lose considerably more; others lose much
>> less. But consider what twenty percent means. For a person beginning at 250
>> pounds, twenty percent represents fifty pounds. That begins to explain why
>> these drugs are being discussed differently from earlier weight-loss
>> medications.
>>
>> Question: Isn't this simply another form of calorie restriction? If the drug
>> makes me eat less, how is that different from deciding to eat less?
>>
>> At one level, the question is perfectly reasonable. A person loses weight
>> because the body is taking in less energy than it is using. GLP-1 drugs do
>> not repeal the laws of metabolism.
>>
>> The important difference may be in what makes eating less possible.
>>
>> Anyone who has tried to lose substantial weight knows that the difficult
>> part is often not understanding what to do. Eat less. Choose nutritious
>> foods. Exercise. Most of us have heard this repeatedly.
>>
>> The body, however, has powerful systems regulating hunger, fullness, and
>> energy balance. When a person deliberately restricts food, hunger may
>> increase and the body may respond in ways that encourage regaining the lost
>> weight.
>>
>> GLP-1 drugs intervene in those biological signals. They can reduce hunger,
>> increase the feeling of fullness after eating, and reduce food intake. Some
>> people also describe a striking reduction in what has come to be called
>> "food noise"-persistent thoughts about food and eating.
>>
>> So the difference is not that calories suddenly cease to matter. It is that
>> the drug may change how difficult it is for a person to consume fewer of
>> them.
>>
>> Question: What about intermittent fasting? Couldn't a person get the same
>> results simply by restricting the hours during which he or she eats?
>>
>> Intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating works well for some people.
>> It can provide a simple structure: rather than continually deciding what not
>> to eat, a person establishes periods for eating and periods for fasting.
>>
>> But fasting and GLP-1 treatment are not the same thing. Fasting changes when
>> food is consumed. GLP-1 drugs alter biological signaling involving blood
>> sugar, digestion, appetite, and fullness.
>>
>> The two approaches are not necessarily competitors. Some people taking GLP-1
>> drugs may also follow a time-restricted eating schedule. But anyone
>> combining substantial dietary restriction with one of these medications
>> should pay attention to nutrition. If appetite becomes very small, eating
>> enough protein and other essential nutrients becomes important, as does
>> preserving muscle through appropriate physical activity.
>>
>> Question: Doesn't calorie restriction cause the body's metabolism to slow
>> down? What happens to the so-called set point when a person uses a GLP-1
>> drug?
>>
>> This is an area where we should be careful about making claims that science
>> has not yet settled.
>>
>> The "set point" is a useful shorthand for the observation that the body
>> appears to defend its weight through complicated systems involving hunger,
>> hormones, energy expenditure, and the brain. But there is no single
>> thermostat in the body with a dial marked "weight."
>>
>> GLP-1 drugs appear to alter some of the biological signals involved in
>> appetite and weight regulation. That may be one reason weight loss can be so
>> much greater than with conventional dieting.
>>
>> But it would go too far to say that these drugs permanently reset a person's
>> set point or eliminate the body's tendency to regain weight. In fact, what
>> happens when the medication is discontinued suggests the opposite.
>>
>> Question: Does the weight come back when a person stops taking the drug?
>>
>> Frequently, yes, although the amount varies.
>>
>> In a follow-up to a major semaglutide trial, participants regained about
>> two-thirds of the weight they had lost during the year after the medication
>> was withdrawn. Many of the improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic risk
>> factors also moved back toward their starting levels.
>>
>> This raises an important question for anyone considering treatment: Am I
>> prepared for this to be a long-term medication?
>>
>> Perhaps the useful comparison is with medication for high blood pressure. We
>> generally do not say that a blood pressure drug has failed because blood
>> pressure rises after the drug is discontinued. The medicine was controlling
>> a chronic condition while it was being taken.
>>
>> Increasingly, obesity is being approached in a similar way-as a chronic
>> condition involving biology as well as behavior. That does not necessarily
>> mean that every person who starts a GLP-1 drug must take it for life. It
>> does mean that stopping deserves as much discussion with one's physician as
>> starting.
>>
>> Question: How much of the benefit comes from losing weight, and how much
>> comes directly from the drug?
>>
>> This is one of the most interesting questions.
>>
>> Weight loss itself can accomplish a great deal. Losing substantial excess
>> weight can improve blood pressure, mobility, sleep apnea, blood sugar, and
>> many other conditions. Therefore, when a person taking a GLP-1 drug becomes
>> healthier, separating the benefit of the drug from the benefit of losing
>> thirty, forty, or fifty pounds can be difficult.
>>
>> But weight loss does not appear to tell the entire story.
>>
>> GLP-1 receptor agonists stimulate insulin release when glucose is elevated
>> and suppress inappropriate glucagon release. This can improve blood sugar
>> before dramatic weight loss has occurred. Major clinical trials have also
>> demonstrated cardiovascular benefits with semaglutide in selected
>> populations, including people with established cardiovascular disease and
>> overweight or obesity who did not have diabetes.
>>
>> So it is inaccurate to regard these drugs merely as appetite suppressants
>> that happen to help diabetes. Their metabolic effects are part of their
>> basic mechanism.
>>
>> Question: Do GLP-1 drugs combat insulin resistance?
>>
>> They can improve the overall problem, but saying simply that they "make the
>> body more sensitive to insulin" leaves out some important detail.
>>
>> In type 2 diabetes, the body may still produce insulin but not respond to it
>> efficiently. GLP-1 drugs help lower blood sugar partly by increasing insulin
>> secretion when glucose is high and reducing glucagon. Weight loss itself can
>> also substantially improve insulin sensitivity.
>>
>> The practical result for many people with type 2 diabetes is better glucose
>> control, often accompanied by a lower A1C. Exactly how much comes from
>> direct drug action and how much from subsequent weight loss varies. Exercise
>> is still the best way to make the body respond better to the insulin the
>> muscles receive.
>>
>> Question: What about the kidneys?
>>
>> This is particularly interesting for people with diabetes because diabetes
>> is a major cause of chronic kidney disease.
>>
>> There is now strong evidence that at least some GLP-1 drugs can do more than
>> simply avoid harming the kidneys. In the FLOW trial, involving people with
>> type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, semaglutide reduced the risk of
>> major kidney outcomes and slowed the loss of kidney function.
>>
>> This needs an important qualification concerning metformin. It is sometimes
>> said that metformin is "hard on the kidneys." That is misleading. Metformin
>> is not generally regarded as a drug that damages the kidneys. Rather,
>> because the kidneys clear metformin from the body, impaired kidney function
>> can allow the drug to accumulate, which can increase the risk of a rare but
>> serious complication. This is why physicians pay close attention to kidney
>> function when prescribing it.
>>
>> GLP-1 drugs have their own cautions. Severe vomiting or diarrhea, for
>> example, can cause dehydration, and dehydration can injure the kidneys.
>> "Kidney friendly" should therefore not be interpreted as "incapable of
>> causing kidney problems."
>>
>> Question: Can these drugs help with sleep apnea?
>>
>> Here the evidence has become particularly interesting.
>>
>> Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway repeatedly becomes blocked
>> during sleep. Excess weight is an important risk factor, although thin
>> people can certainly have sleep apnea as well.
>>
>> In December 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound, or
>> tirzepatide, for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with
>> obesity, together with reduced calorie intake and increased physical
>> activity. It was the first medication approved by the FDA specifically for
>> certain people with obstructive sleep apnea.
>>
>> Much of this benefit appears to be associated with weight reduction.
>> Therefore, someone using CPAP or another sleep-apnea treatment should
>> certainly not conclude that starting a GLP-1 drug means the machine can go
>> into the closet. Changes in sleep-apnea treatment should be based on medical
>> evaluation and, when appropriate, repeat sleep testing.
>>
>> Question: Are there other benefits now being investigated?
>>
>> This may be one of the most fascinating parts of the GLP-1 story.
>>
>> Researchers are investigating possible effects involving the brain,
>> including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline. Animal
>> experiments and observational studies have provided reasons for further
>> research into whether GLP-1 signaling might affect inflammation, brain
>> function, and neurodegeneration.
>>
>> But this is precisely where enthusiasm must not outrun evidence. A finding
>> that a drug improves memory or longevity in mice does not establish that it
>> will preserve memory or extend life in people. Animal studies can tell
>> researchers where to look next; they cannot tell physicians what will
>> necessarily happen to their patients.
>>
>> For now, possible benefits involving memory, dementia, addiction, and
>> longevity belong in the intriguing-but-unproven category. They are reasons
>> for research, not yet reasons by themselves for taking the medication.
>>
>> Question: What are the adverse effects?
>>
>> The most common are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
>> constipation, and abdominal discomfort. These are often most troublesome
>> when treatment begins or the dose increases. In weight-loss trials,
>> gastrointestinal problems have been among the most frequently reported
>> adverse effects.
>>
>> There are also less common but more serious concerns. Depending on the
>> particular drug, prescribing information includes warnings or precautions
>> concerning pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe gastrointestinal
>> problems, dehydration and resulting kidney injury, hypoglycemia when used
>> with certain other diabetes drugs, and other complications. Semaglutide and
>> tirzepatide carry boxed warnings concerning thyroid C-cell tumors based on
>> findings in rodents; whether the same risk applies to humans has not been
>> established.
>>
>> For people with diabetes, rapid improvement in blood sugar can also require
>> adjustment of insulin or certain other diabetes medications. This is another
>> reason these drugs should be regarded as medical treatment rather than
>> simply as weight-loss aids.
>>
>> Question: Are all GLP-1 drugs essentially the same?
>>
>> No.
>>
>> They belong to the same broad therapeutic family, but they differ in their
>> chemistry, duration of action, approved uses, effectiveness, dosing, and
>> side-effect profiles.
>>
>> Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide activates both GLP-1
>> and GIP receptors. Liraglutide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist but has a
>> shorter duration of action than semaglutide.
>>
>> Brand names can also create confusion. Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same
>> active drug, semaglutide, but are approved for different indications and are
>> used at different doses. Similarly, Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain
>> tirzepatide but have different approved uses.
>>
>> This is one reason asking, "Should I take a GLP-1?" is only the beginning of
>> the conversation.
>>
>> Question: Who should consider one of these drugs?
>>
>> That question belongs in the physician's office.
>>
>> A person's weight, type of diabetes, blood-sugar control, kidney function,
>> other medical conditions, current medications, treatment goals, insurance
>> coverage, and tolerance for possible adverse effects can all enter into the
>> decision.
>>
>> Nor should these drugs be regarded as appropriate only for someone who wants
>> to be thinner. For a person with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
>> chronic kidney disease, obesity, or a combination of these conditions, the
>> discussion can involve far more than appearance or a number on the bathroom
>> scale.
>>
>> Question: Why do we need such powerful drugs in the first place? What causes
>> type 2 diabetes and obesity?
>>
>> Perhaps this is the question behind all the others.
>>
>> It would be comforting to have a simple answer: We eat too much, exercise
>> too little, and suffer the consequences. There is certainly truth in saying
>> that food intake and physical activity matter, but that explanation is far
>> too simple.
>>
>> Both obesity and type 2 diabetes involve complicated interactions among
>> genetics, environment, diet, physical activity, sleep, hormones,
>> medications, aging, insulin resistance, the brain's regulation of appetite,
>> and the circumstances in which people live.
>>
>> Two people can eat similarly and have very different tendencies to gain
>> weight. Two people of similar weight can have very different metabolic
>> health. Some people with obesity never develop diabetes, while some people
>> with type 2 diabetes are not obese.
>>
>> The success of GLP-1 drugs may itself teach us something important: appetite
>> and body weight are not controlled by willpower alone. They are powerfully
>> influenced by biology.
>>
>> That does not make choices irrelevant. What we eat and how much we move
>> still matter enormously. But a drug that changes biological signals and
>> produces weight losses approaching fifteen or twenty percent in clinical
>> trials forces us to reconsider the idea that obesity is simply a failure to
>> exercise sufficient self-control.
>>
>> Question: Are GLP-1 drugs miracle drugs?
>>
>> "Miracle drug" is asking too much of any medication.
>>
>> GLP-1 drugs have adverse effects. They do not work equally well for
>> everyone. Some people cannot tolerate them. They can be expensive, and
>> insurance coverage can be difficult. Weight frequently returns after
>> treatment is stopped. We are also still learning about their effects after
>> decades of use and about some of the additional benefits now being
>> investigated.
>>
>> But neither should we minimize what has happened.
>>
>> We now have medications that can substantially lower blood sugar, produce
>> weight loss that was once extremely difficult to achieve without surgery,
>> and, for certain groups of patients, reduce serious cardiovascular or kidney
>> complications. Tirzepatide has even become the first FDA-approved medication
>> for certain adults with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.
>>
>> So, while it would be too much to call GLP-1 drugs miracle drugs, their
>> value is certainly worth considering and discussing with one's physician.
>> They will not solve every problem associated with diabetes or obesity, but
>> the evidence increasingly suggests that they represent a significant step
>> forward.
>>
>> A Step Toward Insulin Independence: What the Eledon Tegoprubart Trial Means
>> for Type 1 Diabetes
>>
>> By Ismael Collazo
>>
>>    
>>
>> For people who have lived with type 1 diabetes for years or even decades,
>> the word "cure" deserves to be approached carefully. We have heard exciting
>> research announcements before, and advances in insulin, continuous glucose
>> monitors, and insulin pumps have transformed diabetes management without
>> eliminating the disease itself.
>>
>> That is why recent results from a clinical trial at the University of
>> Chicago deserve both our attention and a healthy measure of caution.
>>
>> At the American Diabetes Association's 86th Scientific Sessions in June
>> 2026, researchers presented updated results from a clinical trial involving
>> pancreatic islet transplantation and an experimental immune therapy called
>> tegoprubart. All twelve participants in the trial had achieved insulin
>> independence at the time the results were reported, meaning they were no
>> longer using external insulin.
>>
>> That result is remarkable. But understanding what happened-and what has not
>> yet been proven-is just as important.
>>
>> What Are Islet Cells?
>>
>> The pancreas contains clusters of cells known as pancreatic islets. Within
>> those islets are beta cells, which produce insulin in response to changes in
>> blood glucose.
>>
>> In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells.
>> Replacing those cells has therefore been one of the major goals of diabetes
>> research for decades.
>>
>> Islet transplantation itself is not new. Researchers have previously
>> demonstrated that transplanted islets from deceased donors can restore
>> insulin production and, in some recipients, result in insulin independence.
>> The challenge has been keeping those transplanted cells alive and
>> functioning while preventing the recipient's immune system from rejecting
>> them.
>>
>> What Is Different About the Eledon Trial?
>>
>> The University of Chicago study is investigating an experimental drug called
>> tegoprubart, also known as AT-1501.
>>
>> Tegoprubart is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD40 ligand, or CD40L,
>> which plays an important role in communication between immune cells. By
>> blocking this pathway, researchers hope to prevent the immune system from
>> rejecting transplanted cells without relying on calcineurin inhibitors such
>> as tacrolimus.
>>
>> Tacrolimus has long been used to prevent transplant rejection, but it can
>> cause significant side effects, including kidney toxicity, and can also be
>> toxic to insulin-producing islet cells. Researchers are investigating
>> whether a tegoprubart-based regimen can protect transplanted islets while
>> avoiding some of those problems.
>>
>> The participants in this study were adults with long-standing type 1
>> diabetes who had experienced serious and unpredictable hypoglycemia despite
>> intensive diabetes management. These were not simply twelve randomly
>> selected people with type 1 diabetes. They were people facing significant
>> problems with severe hypoglycemia.
>>
>> The transplanted islets came from deceased organ donors and were delivered
>> into the portal vein of the liver. Because these cells came from another
>> person, participants still needed medications to suppress the immune
>> response and prevent rejection.
>>
>> What Did Researchers Find?
>>
>> The results presented in June 2026 were striking.
>>
>> All twelve participants achieved insulin independence following
>> transplantation. In other words, at the time of the report, they were
>> producing enough insulin from the transplanted cells that they no longer
>> required chronic external insulin therapy.
>>
>> All twelve participants also had a most recent A1C below 6.5 percent. The
>> average was approximately 5.4 percent.
>>
>> Before transplantation, all of the participants had histories of recurrent
>> severe hypoglycemia. Researchers reported no severe hypoglycemic episodes
>> following transplantation.
>>
>> They also reported stable islet graft function across the group, with a
>> median follow-up of approximately eight months and the longest-followed
>> participant reaching approximately twenty-two months after transplantation.
>>
>> Researchers had not observed signs of graft rejection or newly developed
>> donor-specific HLA antibodies. They also reported no unexpected safety
>> concerns and no evidence of the significant kidney toxicity that can be
>> associated with traditional calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression.
>>
>> Those findings are encouraging, but the length of follow-up matters.
>> Twenty-two months is very different from knowing what happens after five,
>> ten, or twenty years.
>>
>> Is This a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes?
>>
>> This is where we need to be careful with our language.
>>
>> These results demonstrate that transplanted cells can produce enough insulin
>> for these participants to live without external insulin. This is sometimes
>> described as insulin independence or a potential functional cure.
>>
>> It is not yet the same thing as permanently eliminating type 1 diabetes.
>>
>> The participants received donor islet cells, and they still require
>> immune-suppressing treatment to prevent their bodies from attacking or
>> rejecting those transplanted cells. Tegoprubart itself is an investigational
>> drug and has not been approved for routine treatment of type 1 diabetes.
>>
>> We also do not yet know how long these transplanted cells will continue
>> functioning.
>>
>> The current study is small, and the ClinicalTrials.gov record describes it
>> as an ongoing phase 1/phase 2 study. Larger studies and longer follow-up
>> will be necessary to understand the long-term effectiveness and risks.
>>
>> So while the results are exciting, saying that researchers have "cured type
>> 1 diabetes" would go beyond what this study has established.
>>
>> Another Major Barrier: Where Do the Cells Come From?
>>
>> There is another important limitation.
>>
>> The transplanted islets used in this study came from deceased organ donors.
>> Donor islets are a limited resource. Some participants have also required
>> more than one islet transplant to achieve insulin independence.
>>
>> That makes this particular approach difficult to scale to the millions of
>> people living with type 1 diabetes.
>>
>> However, researchers around the world are also working on producing
>> insulin-making cells from stem cells. If scientists eventually develop a
>> reliable and scalable source of replacement beta cells, they will still face
>> another major problem: protecting those cells from the immune system.
>>
>> That is one reason the tegoprubart research is so interesting. Finding a
>> safer and more effective way to protect transplanted insulin-producing cells
>> could potentially become an important part of future cell-replacement
>> treatments.
>>
>> What Does This Mean for Blind People with Diabetes?
>>
>> For members of the Diabetes Action Network, progress in diabetes treatment
>> involves another important consideration: accessibility.
>>
>> Blind people with diabetes have experienced firsthand what happens when a
>> medical advancement is introduced without accessibility being considered
>> from the beginning. We have had to fight for independent access to glucose
>> monitors, insulin pumps, smartphone applications, and other diabetes
>> technology.
>>
>> If cell-replacement therapies eventually become routine treatment,
>> accessibility must be part of their development and delivery.
>>
>> Information about eligibility, informed consent, medication schedules,
>> infusion appointments, glucose monitoring, transplant follow-up, patient
>> portals, and any technology associated with these treatments must be
>> independently accessible to blind patients.
>>
>> A medical breakthrough does not reach its full potential if blind people
>> cannot independently access the treatment and the information surrounding
>> it.
>>
>> Reasons for Hope-and Reasons for Patience
>>
>> Twelve people with long-standing type 1 diabetes received transplanted
>> pancreatic islets under a tegoprubart-based immune-suppression regimen, and
>> all twelve were reported to be living without external insulin when the
>> latest results were presented.
>>
>> That deserves our attention.
>>
>> It does not mean insulin pumps and insulin pens are about to disappear. It
>> does not mean tegoprubart has been approved as a cure for diabetes. And it
>> does not tell us whether these transplanted cells will continue working
>> decades from now.
>>
>> But it does demonstrate something important.
>>
>> Researchers are getting better at replacing insulin-producing cells and,
>> perhaps just as importantly, finding ways to keep those cells functioning
>> after transplantation.
>>
>> For those of us who have spent years or decades managing type 1 diabetes,
>> that is genuine progress worth watching.
>>
>> The right response is neither hype nor cynicism.
>>
>> It is cautious hope.
>>
>> Sources
>>
>> ClinicalTrials.gov. "NCT06305286: Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of
>> Immunomodulation With a Monoclonal Antibody Against CD40L in Combination
>> With Transplanted Islet Cells in Adults With Brittle Type 1 Diabetes
>> Mellitus (T1D)."
>>
>> Eledon Pharmaceuticals. "Eledon Announces Updated Data from
>> Investigator-Initiated Islet Transplant Trial of Tegoprubart in Patients
>> with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at UChicago Medicine." June 8, 2026.
>>
>> Breakthrough T1D. "All 12 Clinical Trial Participants Off External Insulin:
>> New Data on Tegoprubart Continues to Impress." June 7, 2026.
>>
>> American Diabetes Association. 86th Scientific Sessions. June 2026.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Recipes from Joyce
>>
>> By Joyce Stigile
>>
>>    
>>
>> Easy Microwave Vegetable
>>
>>    
>>
>> 2 cups sliced yellow squash
>>
>> 2 shakes black pepper
>>
>> 1 shake garlic powder
>>
>> 2 teaspoons butter
>>
>>    
>>
>> Directions:
>>
>> Wash and dry yellow squash, slice off the stem and 1/4 inch off the bottom,
>> then slice into rounds about 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch wide; place in a
>> microwave-safe container, add seasonings and butter, and cover. Cook in
>> microwave for 2 minutes. Wait 5 minutes, then stir. Squash should be limp;
>> if not, cook an additional 30 seconds. Serves 2-4 people.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Second Recipe
>>
>> During the holiday season, instead of previous spices, add 1/8 teaspoon
>> pumpkin spice blend.
>>
>> A pinch of your favorite sugar substitute.
>>
>>    
>>
>> Yummy!
>>
>> (Other names for yellow squash are summer squash or crookneck.)
>>
>> A Blind Dad, His Type 1 Daughter, and Our First National Convention Together
>>
>> By Ismael Collazo
>>
>> Going to a National Federation of the Blind National Convention is an
>> experience all its own. Anyone who has attended one knows the pace: go, go,
>> go. There are meetings, presentations, exhibits, conversations in the
>> hallways, and seemingly always somewhere else you need to be.
>>
>> This year in Austin, Texas, I experienced National Convention differently.
>> For the first time, my daughter attended with me.
>>
>> We also happen to share something besides being father and daughter: we both
>> live with type 1 diabetes.
>>
>> That meant preparing for Austin wasn't as simple as packing clothes and
>> getting on a plane. When two people with type 1 diabetes travel together,
>> you pack twice as much-and sometimes it feels like four times as much. Pump
>> supplies, continuous glucose monitor supplies, insulin, glucose tablets,
>> snacks, backup supplies, and backups for the backups. With diabetes, you
>> learn quickly that "we probably won't need it" isn't a very comforting
>> reason to leave something at home.
>>
>> Of course, I made one mistake in all that careful planning: I forgot that I
>> was traveling with a growing kid. I thought I had packed enough snacks for
>> both of us, but she ate nearly all of them the first day. So, despite all
>> that preparation, I found myself making a second Walmart run to restock our
>> snacks. Apparently, when traveling with type 1 diabetes and a growing child,
>> "pack extra" means more than I thought.
>>
>> My daughter currently uses a Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump and a Dexcom
>> continuous glucose monitor. Even with today's diabetes technology, however,
>> diabetes doesn't always cooperate with your plans.
>>
>> National Convention provided a perfect example.
>>
>> With everything happening around us, stopping for meals wasn't always
>> convenient. We had places to be and things we wanted to experience. There
>> were times when we had to stop for snacks or lunch because our blood sugars
>> had other ideas.
>>
>> Then there was the day we skipped lunch.
>>
>> That was a mistake.
>>
>> Between the two of us, we went through an entire bottle of glucose tablets.
>> It was a pretty good reminder that type 1 diabetes doesn't care how
>> important your next meeting is or how packed your convention schedule might
>> be. Sometimes you simply have to stop and take care of yourself.
>>
>> But those challenges aren't what I will remember most about Austin.
>>
>> I will remember watching my daughter begin to find her own voice.
>>
>> During the convention, she had the opportunity to present to the Diabetes
>> Action Network division. It was her first time presenting, and she talked
>> about something nobody could explain better than she could: what it is like
>> to grow up as a child with type 1 diabetes.
>>
>> She talked about her own experiences and some of the struggles that come
>> with managing this disease as a kid.
>>
>> As her dad, that was important to me.
>>
>> I didn't want her simply sitting in the audience listening to adults talk
>> about diabetes. I wanted her to understand that her experiences matter.
>> Children living with type 1 diabetes have something valuable to contribute
>> to conversations about diabetes technology, independence, accessibility,
>> school, family life, and everything else that comes with this disease.
>>
>> At the same time, she was getting a chance to see another part of my life.
>>
>> She watched what I was doing in the organized blind movement. She saw the
>> panels I participated in. She saw the meetings, the advocacy, and the work
>> that happens when blind people come together and speak for ourselves.
>>
>> For years, she has watched her blind dad live with the same disease she
>> lives with. In Austin, she got to see something more. She got to see that
>> our experiences-whether with blindness, diabetes, or both-can become
>> something we use to help other people.
>>
>> And I got to see my daughter begin doing exactly that.
>>
>> There is a lesson in that experience that I hope stays with her long after
>> Austin.
>>
>> Diabetes is going to interrupt things. There will be low blood sugars,
>> alarms, supplies to carry, meals that cannot always be skipped, and days
>> when the plans have to change. There may even be another bottle of glucose
>> tablets sacrificed to an overly ambitious convention schedule.
>>
>> But diabetes doesn't have to prevent us from participating.
>>
>> For me, National Convention has always been about independence, advocacy,
>> and the belief that blind people should have the opportunity to live the
>> lives we want.
>>
>> This year, I got to share that with my daughter.
>>
>> And somewhere between the meetings, the panels, the diabetes supplies, the
>> glucose tablets, and her first presentation, Austin became more than another
>> National Convention.
>>
>> It became the beginning of her finding her own voice.
>>
>> Concluding Thoughts
>>
>> if you have thoughts about this newsletter, please share them with me at
>>
>> gwunder at earthlink.net <mailto:gwunder at earthlink.net> .
>>
>> If you liked it, please consider becoming a member of our organization. We
>> need you. Your input will make us stronger. Your participation will make us
>> more inclusive and more representative of blind diabetics. Thank you for
>> reading, and thank you for being proactive in helping make life easier for
>> blind diabetics.
>>
>>    
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-Talk:
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-- 
Lino Morales KW4NIGH