Lighting a Lamp for Persons Who Are Visually Challenged

This paper is an outgrowth of an investigation to (1) identify persons with diabetes mellitus who manifest varying degrees of self-destructive behavior, (2) compile a list of dangerously negative self-management practices observed in the person who is visually challenged, (3) outline a comprehensive diabetes skills update designed to restore self-esteem, and (4) suggest to the rehabilitation worker and the diabetes educator ways to enhance instruction. The paper lists behaviors that may cause deadly harm to persons visually challenged by diabetes mellitus, requiring careful observation by the diabetes educator. A case report shows that numerous teaching opportunities arise from analyzing self-care skills that are lost due to vision pathology.