[Nfb-new-hampshire] Fw: VisionAware Special Edition Newsletter on American Diabetes Month

[Ed Meskys]

VisionAware Special Edition Newsletter on American Diabetes Month
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Pris Rogers 
To: AFB Subscriber 
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 1:00 PM
Subject: VisionAware Special Edition Newsletter on American Diabetes Month


            VisionAwareT
            Resources for Independent Living with Vision Loss
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            American Foundation for the Blind | Reader's Digest Partners for Sight 
     


November is American Diabetes Month and VisionAware offers several resources on living with diabetes.

1. The National Eye Institute (NEI) National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), a VisionAware partner, offers extensive information available for use in educating people with diabetes. Here is an important message from their latest e-blast:
"Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems people with diabetes may face as a complication of the disease. These include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. All people with diabetes, type 1 and 2, are at risk. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater his or her risk of diabetic eye disease. African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics/Latinos, and older adults are at higher risk of going blind from diabetic eye disease. Remember these important points:

  a.. People with diabetes need a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year. 
  b.. Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up may prevent vision loss or blindness.
NEI estimates that 7.7 million people ages 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy and that this number will increase to approximately 11 million people by 2030. Approximately 24.4 million adults have cataract and this number is expected to increase to 38.7 million by 2030. As many as 2.7 million people age 40 and older have glaucoma and this number is expected to reach 4 million by 2030."

Visit the NEI NEHEP Diabetic Eye Disease website to obtain more educational materials regarding diabetes.

2. The Carroll Center is VisionAware's November Agency of the Month. The Carroll Center, located in Newton, Massachusetts was established in 1936 and has pioneered innovative methods for blind persons to gain independence in their homes, in class settings, and in their work places. Read their tip on monitoring diabetes. They also offer a free online course on diabetes and visual impairment.

Also find out about Charlotte Shrier, an older consumer with macular degeneration who is "back in the game" as a high-fashion knitwear designer as a result of the services she received at the Carroll Center.

3. You may want to check out AFB's Guide to Living with Diabetes and Vision Loss with three important sections:

  a.. General information audio and transcripts that give you the "basics" about living with diabetes 
  b.. A guide to caring for yourself when you have diabetes and vision loss with step-by-step information in an audio version and print. 
  c.. A Spanish translation of the guide to caring for yourself when you have vision loss in audio and print.

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We at VisionAware hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Enjoy a festive Thanksgiving Apple Cider Cocktail compliments of Maureen Duffy's latest blog!


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