[Diabetes-talk] [SPAM] Re: insulin pumps

Fri Apr 10 17:30:57 UTC 2009

Hi Eileen,
Thank you. I think it's important to know about all facets of using an
insulin pump. You can't just go on those glowing reports about how easy it
is to use a pump. While this is mostly the case, there are definitely those
times when you want to throw the pump right through a window <grin>. But
then, being a diabetic is not always easy either. However, you can't just
throw yourself out of a window. Well ok, I suppose you could , but that's
not the way to go or the right thing to do <smile>.

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 10:14 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] [SPAM] Re: insulin pumps

David & Kelly:

first to Dave -- I want to thank you for your very honest critique of using
your insulin pump as a blind diabetic!  I'm tired of getting rave reviews
about products from many in the blindness community about how wonderful
certain diabetic devices are while at the same time, totally neglecting to
state the problems and challenges they have encountered.  I am very glad you
let the list know your experience with the pump.  As you know, I have been
wanting to switch to a pump, but have been hesitant because of the lack of
accessibility built into them. Reading your message below, I am glad I have
held off and not been pushed into it.

To Kelly --  Like David stated there was a mention a while back on this list
about asking people for input into the development of a pump.  I did at that
time also contact the person looking for participants.  If at all needed I
am still more than willing to participate in any type of testing,
questionnaires or studies as a person who is blind and has never used a
pump, but is insulin dependant and administering one's own insulin
injections and BG testing without any sighted assistance.

Kelly, feel free to contact me if you or DI is looking for people to
facilitate this type of work.

Thank you both.

Eileen

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Anspach" <danspach at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 8:50 PM
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Diabetes-talk] insulin pumps

> Hello Kelly,
> As a long-time and perhaps long-suffering insulin pump user, this is
> definitely great news!  I am a long-time Minimed Paradigm insulin pump 
> user.
> While using a pump definitely has great advantages over taking insulin via
> injection, it is nearly impossible as a blind diabetic to use a pump 
> without
> someone to act as a sighted backup. Sure I can change out the pump i.e.
> change the reservoir and tubing plus insert the canula into a new site, 
> but
> there is just no way that I can, as a blind diabetic, take full advantage 
> of
> all of the features of my pump. About all I can do is take a bolus before
> each meal and any time I want to eat a snack. I've been a person in the 
> past
> who really would rather be in total control of my diabetes. But with this
> pump, I'm afraid I simply cannot. I can't change the most simplest of
> things, such as my own basal rates, as I simply cannot access the pump. I
> have to wait for someone who is familiar with my pump to come to my house 
> or
> my employer and help me adjust it then.
>
> It is probably the most frustrating thing I have ever faced as a blind
> diabetic. In fact, I have considered time and time again just throwing my
> pump into the trash and going back to taking insulin via an injection. I
> know that we here in the NFB have written about how using a pump as a 
> blind
> person is possible. But I just go back to the same issue, you must have
> someone sighted who can help you adjust the more complex settings on your
> pump such as basal rates. I know there are some who have managed to do 
> some
> of the more complex things such as setting a temporary basal rate, but I
> honestly don't trust not being able to see the screen to ensure I have 
> done
> the right thing or pressed the various buttons the correct amount of times
> to get to the setting I want to change.
>
> Sometime ago, there was a call to anyone interested in taking part in
> helping develop an accessible insulin pump to respond via this very e-mail
> list. At that time, the folks at DDI were going to be producing the pump, 
> as
> you have now shown in your message below. But, I volunteered and never
> really heard much more. So, are you actively seeking anyone who can lend
> advice etc. to the development of such a pump? If so, then I am definitely
> very interested in contributing in any way I can. I would love to have the
> ability of at least offering my input into such a pump and its design.
>
> Thanks for reading my rather lengthy e-mail message :). If you would like 
> to
> talk with me further, please don't hesitate to write to me at:
> danspach at tampabay.rr.com
> Or at work via:
> DavidA at FreedomScientific.com
>
> Have a great evening,
>
> Dave
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelly Massaro
> Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 1:43 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] insulin pumps
>
> Currently there are no pumps on the market for the visually impaired 
> however
> DDI has a talking insulin pump in the pipeline that should be released
> within a year.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Kelly Massaro
> Senior Marketing and Sales Account Representative Diagnostic Devices 9300
> Harris Corners Pkwy Suite 450 Charlotte NC  28269
> Direct: 704-285-6425
> Main: 800-366-5901
> kellym at prodigymeter.com
> www.prodigymeter.com
>
>
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>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 1:38 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] insulin pumps
>
> there aren't any.
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: catdancing<mailto:catdancing at sbcglobal.net>
>  To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind<mailto:diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>  Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 10:29 AM
>  Subject: [Diabetes-talk] insulin pumps
>
>
>  has anyone on here ever heard of an insulin pump for the visually
> impaired? if so could u let me know what it is and where to find it.
>  a friend of mine also a type 1 said a place called ammis. com made them
> but i couldn't find any such item on their web page.
>  has anyone any ideas?
>  Debbie
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