[Diabetes-talk] BLIND INC. I stand Corrected...

[Mike Freeman]

Bern:

I tend to agree with you. However, given that the ultimate goal of NFB 
is to integrate the blind into society on a basis of equality, might it 
not also be reasonable for one of our centers to tell prospective 
atendees with diabetes to get diabetes care from healthcare 
professionals with the centers only intervening to correct bum notions 
about blindness?

Just a thought. There's no right answer to this one.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "The Jacobs' Family" <bandbjacobs at verizon.net>
To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 5:12 PM
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] BLIND INC. I stand Corrected...


Hey Guys:

This is Bern.  I was recently corrected by someone this afternoon and I
offered to make this one public as I was the one who should get "Pie in 
the
face..."  I was not aware that the "Diabetic Educator" for BLIND INC. 
had
passed on due to her own complications of diabetes.  I had also thought 
that
I remembered one of the other agency directors saying that they had had 
one
also.  "I stand corrected..."  Maybe somebody could softly, gently nudge 
one
of our directors to hire a good one?  I'm sure the ladies wouldn't 
object if
they came across a good, reliable, dedicated applicant who also knows
blindness forward and backwards.

Bern
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 5:40 PM
Subject: Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 5


> Send Diabetes-talk mailing list submissions to
> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> diabetes-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Diabetes-talk digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Blind Inc.... (Chanelle Hill)
>   2. Re: Blind Inc.... (Alan Wheeler)
>   3. Re: pumps (d m gina)
>   4. Re: pumps (d m gina)
>   5. Re: Blind Inc.... (Steve Jacobson)
>   6. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Mike Freeman)
>   7. Re: pumps (Mike Freeman)
>   8. Re: Blind Inc.... (K C)
>   9. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 12:13:16 -0600
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <B4502771BD3944B8988CACF38458C057 at HILLC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Dear Bern,
> I'm not sure if it is okay to be talking about Blind Inc. on the 
> diabetes
> list, so maybe if we continue this conversation you could write me off
> list?
> I should not have mentioned it and just stuck to the portion about a
> diabetes class at the center.
> Blind Inc. seems to be very thorough in training clients. However, I 
> am a
> little worried because the policies seem to be quite strict and I am 
> not
> sure how open staff are to someone who is not from the NFB. I am also
> curious as to how flexible the staff members are. I hope to arrange a 
> tour
> for sometime late this month or early next month. I live a few hours 
> from
> Minneapolis, so I need to plan a trip with my friends who will be 
> driving.
>
> Chanelle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The Jacobs' 
> Family
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:58 AM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>
> Good Morning Chanelle:
>
> There was a question here about BLIND     Inc.  Please rest assured 
> that
> BLIND INC. is one of our training centers.  Can't get much better than
> that
> Honey.  I've personally known many of the staff there--seems like 
> since
> dirt!  The standards are impeccably high.  Believe me, you won't 
> regret
> attending there.  And, of course, we now have Diabetes Management/Care
> training at all of our Centers.  With the growing diabetic population,
> obviously comes the growing demand for diabetes management
> education/training.
>
> Welcome back Miss Chanelle!!
>
> Bern
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:00 PM
> Subject: Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>
>
>> Send Diabetes-talk mailing list submissions to
>> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>> diabetes-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of Diabetes-talk digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>   2. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>      (Paul & Paula Jordan)
>>   3. National Federation of the Blind President to Deliver Keynote
>>      Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium (Freeh, Jessica)
>>   4. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Vincent Chaney)
>>   5. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (David Anspach)
>>   6. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Mike Freeman)
>>   7. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (K C)
>>   8. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>   9. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:27:03 -0600
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <C62DFC3C1B5149B6A1F93EEA1E55263A at HILLC>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote 
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the 
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be 
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more 
>> strips,
>> I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing
>
>> a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:54:22 -0500
>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <00f101c99c52$fea83e60$fdc8a8c0 at PaulJordan>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>> experience
>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who 
>> uses a
>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>> but
>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying 
>> software
>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>> his
>> food
>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It amazes 
>> me
>> how
>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>> and
>> interested people here.
>>
>> Paul
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote 
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the 
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be 
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more 
>> strips,
>> I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing
>
>> a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>> .net
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date: 
>> 03/03/09
>> 07:25:00
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:58:49 -0600
>> From: "Freeh, Jessica" <JFreeh at nfb.org> (by way of David Andrews
>> <dandrews at visi.com>)
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] National Federation of the Blind President 
>> to
>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>> Message-ID: <auto-000088034933 at mailfront1.g2host.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>
>>
>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>
>>
>>
>> CONTACT:
>>
>> Chris Danielsen
>>
>> Director of Public Relations
>>
>> National Federation of the Blind
>>
>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>>
>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>>
>> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>>
>>
>>
>> National Federation of the Blind President to
>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>
>>
>>
>> Speech will Address Education and Civil Rights for All Americans
>>
>>
>>
>> Baltimore, Maryland (March 3, 2009): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of
>> the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest
>> organization of blind people in the United States, will give the
>> keynote address at the Notre Dame Disability Studies Forum's
>> blindness symposium.  The symposium will be held at the University of
>> Notre Dame on March 6, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.  The Notre
>> Dame Disability Studies Forum is hosting speakers from arts-based and
>> technology-based disciplines to discuss the culture and technology
>> surrounding blindness and low vision.  The symposium will also
>> feature a technology fair running concurrently with the conference
>> and highlighting products that blind people can use.
>>
>>
>>
>> "I am honored to give the keynote address at this influential
>> symposium conducted by my alma mater.  With the increasing use of
>> electronic textbooks, Web-based instruction, and other technology in
>> the classroom, it is critical that educators consider how all aspects
>> of the educational system can be made accessible to all students
>> including the blind.  Only 10 percent of all blind children are
>> currently learning to read and write using Braille.  Our educational
>> system is failing these students and this issue must be addressed
>> immediately.  I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these crucial
>> subjects to this prestigious gathering."
>>
>>
>>
>> Attendees of the symposium will get to see firsthand a brand-new,
>> highly affordable navigational aid called AdapTap that blind swimmers
>> can use to keep their bearings in a swimming pool.  The National
>> Federation of the Blind awarded the project a 2008 Dr. Jacob Bolotin
>> Award for outstanding and innovative achievements in the blindness 
>> field.
>>
>>
>>
>> Both the academic conference and the technology fair will be open at
>> no charge to the general public. For more information about the
>> symposium, please e-mail
>> <mailto:BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com>BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com.
>> For more information on the National Federation of the Blind, please
>> visit <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ###
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> About the National Federation of the Blind
>>
>> With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
>> is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind
>> people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives
>> through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
>> encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading
>> force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
>> blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the
>> Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in
>> the United States for the blind led by the blind.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:10:21 -0500
>> From: Vincent Chaney <vgc732 at optonline.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <CBFDA2C57213463BACE67FB798C003A9 at Vincent>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>
>> Chanelle,
>>
>> Welcome to the list...
>>
>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic 
>> Minimed
>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu 
>> options.
>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>> "Squared"
>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on this 
>> and
>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The Blog I
>> also
>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used 
>> with a
>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to contact 
>> one
>> of
>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice 
>> Test
>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" and
>> just
>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of 
>> Patient
>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>> Division
>> of the NFBNJ.
>>
>> Vince
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote 
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the 
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be 
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more 
>> strips,
>> I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing
>
>> a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
> nline.net
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 22:32:31 -0500
>> From: "David Anspach" <danspach at tampabay.rr.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <CA74FC1DE42045DDB93B0221DE92B215 at SuperMaddox>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Hi Chanelle,
>> Welcome to the diabetes talk list. This list is full of great people 
>> and
>> I
>> think you will learn a lot here.
>> My name is David anspach and I live in largo Florida with my wife 
>> Tammy.
>> We
>> are both diabetics ad have been so for most of our lives, Tammy for
>> nearly
>> 42 years and I for about 34 years. Tammy has been using a Minimed 
>> insulin
>> pump since 2001. she has used several different models, none of which
>> were
>> very accessible, of course. She is now using the Paradigm 722 pump 
>> with
>> pretty good success. I saw how well she was able to control her 
>> diabetes
>> through the use of an insulin pump and started using a Minimed 
>> Paradigm
>> 712
>> pump in 2004. I'm now also using the 722 because my insurance company
>> covered the upgrade and I figured why not go for it. I have had
>> reasonable
>> success using the pump as well.
>>
>> I have remained very frustrated with the fact that Minimed is yet to
>> begin
>> working on an accessible insulin pump. Tammy and I both have 
>> discussed
>> the
>> development of an accessible insulin pump with various Minimed people
>> over
>> the past four or five years. We continue to get the same basic answer 
>> of
>> "it's been suggested many, many times, but Minimed has not started
>> looking
>> at ways to develop a pump that is accessible to the blind." 
>> Basically, I
>> was
>> told just last week that it comes down to a matter of what sells the 
>> most
>> insulin pumps, making them accessible, or, adding other new 
>> technologies
>> to
>> help the masses. I fear that it will take a smaller company to 
>> actually
>> develop an accessible insulin pump. In fact, it is my understanding 
>> that
>> the
>> same people who developed the Prodigy Voice meter, DDI, are also 
>> looking
>> into the feasibility of developing an accessible insulin pump. I even
>> mentioned this to the Minimed people I met with a few weeks ago and 
>> they
>> seemed to be somewhat interested in learning more.
>>
>> I think the best thing you can do as a blind pumper is to continue to
>> talk
>> to Minimed about creating an accessible pump. You just need to be
>> persistent
>> and ask anyone and everyone you talk to at Minimed who can take your
>> request
>> and actually submit it to the proper channels. According to the sales 
>> rep
>> I
>> spoke with a few weeks ago, they have received  quite a lot of 
>> requests
>> for
>> accessible pumps, so, they are at least hearing our requests. In the 
>> end,
>> though, I think it will take a large number of blind diabetics to get 
>> an
>> accessible pump created. The manufacturers are certainly going to put
>> their
>> research and development dollars into the technology that sells the 
>> most
>> pumps and benefits the largest number of diabetics out there. As the
>> population ages, blindness will be on the rise along with the rise in 
>> the
>> number of diabetics encountering some type of visual impairment.
>>
>> In the end, I think it's sad that money drives the types of changes 
>> we
>> now
>> see in insulin pumps.  I know this is just the way it is, but there 
>> are
>> so
>> many blind diabetics out there who either use a pump now, or could
>> benefit
>> from the increased  level you get through the use of a pump. I know 
>> the
>> pump
>> isn't for everyone, but, for those who are interested in the 
>> increased
>> level
>> of control it offers, I think it is a great option.
>>
>> Have a great week,
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote 
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the 
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be 
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more 
>> strips,
>> I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing
>
>> a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/danspach%40ta
>> mpabay.rr.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 19:58:23 -0800
>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <FEAB66C6E6C74607A652D32A6DEAB00B at owner96190708e>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Chanelle:
>>
>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some 
>> of
>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what
>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can read 
>> a
>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent issue.
>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just peruse 
>> the
>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>
>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but 
>> don't
>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical 
>> expertise
>> on this list.
>>
>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others from
>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, the
>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from an
>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem that 
>> it
>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as simple 
>> as
>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when and 
>> in
>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system, 
>> often
>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically displayed 
>> and
>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, the
>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty small
>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a good
>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>> we're
>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>
>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is like 
>> the
>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
>> reading --
>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>
>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>
>> Mike Freeman, President
>> Diabetes Action Network
>> National Federation of the Blind
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter
>> on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>> strips, I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
> .com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 7
>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:42:52 -0500
>> From: "K C" <kcc86 at hotmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <COL0-DAV48DC6774DDB33DC1156E3BAAA70 at phx.gbl>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>> reply-type=original
>>
>> Hello, Chanelle, and everyone.  I don't have information on the pump
>> accessibility questions but it sounds like calling Home care 
>> solutions is
>> a
>> great idea since I have a Prodigy voice meter.  smile
>> I think I can help you with information about the Nfb centers.  Mike 
>> may
>> consider that off topic beyond your Diabetes class question.  If 
>> you'd
>> like
>> more general information you're welcome to email me off list and I'll 
>> try
>> to
>> help you.  I went to the Colorado center for the blind in Denver. 
>> Take
>> care.
>> Kijuana
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:54 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>> subscriber
>>
>>
>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>> experience
>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who 
>>> uses
>>> a
>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>>> but
>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>> software
>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>>> his
>>> food
>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It amazes 
>>> me
>>> how
>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>>> and
>>> interested people here.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips,
>>> I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing
>>> a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>> .net
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>> 03/03/09
>>> 07:25:00
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kcc86%40hotma
> il.com
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 8
>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:44:14 -0600
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <516E1A12D11A4ABB820E22B0602C84C0 at HILLC>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Dear Vince,
>> Thanks for replying to my email. I am grateful for the many responses 
>> I
>> have
>> received from the list. I am still using the 512 but would like to
>> upgrade
>> to the 522. How do you get your pump to deliver a square bolis? I use 
>> the
>> easy bolis feature with the beeps, but I would like to use the other
>> bolis
>> options--especially since they give a person even more control. Does 
>> the
>> square wave bolis have to do with insulin being delivered over the 
>> course
>> of
>> a few hours? I am able to fill my pump on my own. I just have a 
>> sighted
>> friend double check that there are no bubbles in my reservoirs. I 
>> have
>> been
>> on the pump since 2004, and I went to a diabetes center in 2007 where 
>> the
>> nurses were willing to teach me how to draw up insulin. Before that, 
>> I
>> thought filling reservoirs was impossible for a blind person.
>> Thanks for checking on the Clever Check meter. The lady from Homecare
>> Solutions with whom I spoke sounded vague about it. Thanks for the
>> information about Advanced Diabetic Solutions! I really need that now
>> since
>> I haven't gotten anywhere with Homecare Solutions. If they have 
>> already
>> shipped out the Clever Check today as they said they would, I will 
>> report
>> to
>> the list as to what it is like.
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vincent Chaney
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:10 PM
>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>> subscriber
>>
>> Chanelle,
>>
>> Welcome to the list...
>>
>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic 
>> Minimed
>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu 
>> options.
>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>> "Squared"
>>
>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on this 
>> and
>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The Blog I
>> also
>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used 
>> with a
>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to contact 
>> one
>> of
>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice 
>> Test
>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" and
>> just
>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of 
>> Patient
>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>> Division
>> of the NFBNJ.
>>
>> Vince
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote 
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the 
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be 
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more 
>> strips,
>> I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing
>
>> a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>> nline.net
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>> gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 9
>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:03:53 -0600
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>> subscriber
>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Message-ID: <881C9EA144354F1BA00C4C14810A70E0 at HILLC>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> Dear Mike,
>> Thanks for replying to my message. I will check out the Braille 
>> Monitor.
>> I
>> subscribed to Voice of the Diabetic about a month ago and haven't
>> received
>> an issue yet. I opted to receive the publication via email.
>> The CD I received from Blind Inc., seems to be a few years old since 
>> some
>> of
>> the articles date back to 2004, 2001, and those reprinted from the 
>> 90's.
>> I would like to get connected with diabetes educators who have had
>> experience working with the blind.
>> That would be great if Prodigy made a talking pump!
>> Minimed pumps have software that allows one to make changes to basal
>> rates,
>> the increment for easy bolis, time and date, and other items that are 
>> set
>> through the pump menus. It would be nice if one could also use the
>> software
>> to program a bolis that would be delivered as soon as the pump was
>> disconnected from the computer. For example, I think that the pump 
>> has
>> bolis
>> wizzard--a feature to calculate insulin needed for carbs eaten and 
>> high
>> blood sugars. These calculations can easily be made manually, but I 
>> think
>> the pump also keeps track of active insulin.
>> I will figure out who I could speak to at Minimed about this or pump
>> accessibility. I appreciate your efforts to advocate accessibility 
>> with
>> the
>> insulin pump companies.
>>
>> Chanelle
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 PM
>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>> subscriber
>>
>> Chanelle:
>>
>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some 
>> of
>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what
>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can read 
>> a
>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent issue.
>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just peruse 
>> the
>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>
>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but 
>> don't
>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical 
>> expertise
>> on this list.
>>
>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others from
>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, the
>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from an
>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem that 
>> it
>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as simple 
>> as
>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when and 
>> in
>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system, 
>> often
>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically displayed 
>> and
>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, the
>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty small
>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a good
>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>> we're
>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>
>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is like 
>> the
>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
>> reading --
>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>
>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>
>> Mike Freeman, President
>> Diabetes Action Network
>> National Federation of the Blind
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>
>>
>> Dear List Members,
>>
>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>> several
>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>> has
>> had
>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
>> am
>> a
>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>> insulin
>> pump
>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>> the
>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>> in
>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the
>> new
>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>> fixed
>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>> Minimed
>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>> that
>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>> one
>> has
>> gotten back to me.
>>
>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>> meter
>> on
>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>> strips, I
>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>> for
>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>> supposedly
>> like
>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>> new
>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>> accessible
>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>
>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>> centers
>> in
>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>> containing a
>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>> Do
>> you
>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
>> .com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>> gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> End of Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>> ********************************************
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
> gmail.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 14:00:19 -0600
> From: "Alan Wheeler" <awheeler at neb.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <3F1625FC79D9400D888E0D5626227154 at Alan>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I can promise you, as a former staff member of BLIND, Inc. that you 
> don't
> have to be from the NFB to go there.
>
>
> In Christ,
> Alan
>
>
>
> +-+-+-
>
>   He has made clear to you, O man, what is good; and what is desired 
> from
> you by the Lord; only doing what is
> right, and loving mercy, and walking without pride before your God. 
> Micah
> 6:8
> ~~~
> awheeler at neb.rr.com
> IM me at: outlaw-cowboy at live.com
> Skype: redwheel1
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:13
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>
>
>> Dear Bern,
>> I'm not sure if it is okay to be talking about Blind Inc. on the 
>> diabetes
>> list, so maybe if we continue this conversation you could write me 
>> off
>> list?
>> I should not have mentioned it and just stuck to the portion about a
>> diabetes class at the center.
>> Blind Inc. seems to be very thorough in training clients. However, I 
>> am a
>> little worried because the policies seem to be quite strict and I am 
>> not
>> sure how open staff are to someone who is not from the NFB. I am also
>> curious as to how flexible the staff members are. I hope to arrange a
>> tour
>> for sometime late this month or early next month. I live a few hours 
>> from
>> Minneapolis, so I need to plan a trip with my friends who will be
>> driving.
>>
>> Chanelle
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The Jacobs' 
>> Family
>> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:58 AM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>>
>> Good Morning Chanelle:
>>
>> There was a question here about BLIND     Inc.  Please rest assured 
>> that
>> BLIND INC. is one of our training centers.  Can't get much better 
>> than
>> that
>> Honey.  I've personally known many of the staff there--seems like 
>> since
>> dirt!  The standards are impeccably high.  Believe me, you won't 
>> regret
>> attending there.  And, of course, we now have Diabetes 
>> Management/Care
>> training at all of our Centers.  With the growing diabetic 
>> population,
>> obviously comes the growing demand for diabetes management
>> education/training.
>>
>> Welcome back Miss Chanelle!!
>>
>> Bern
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:00 PM
>> Subject: Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>>
>>
>>> Send Diabetes-talk mailing list submissions to
>>> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>> diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>> diabetes-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>> than "Re: Contents of Diabetes-talk digest..."
>>>
>>>
>>> Today's Topics:
>>>
>>>   1. questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>>   2. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>      (Paul & Paula Jordan)
>>>   3. National Federation of the Blind President to Deliver Keynote
>>>      Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium (Freeh, Jessica)
>>>   4. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Vincent 
>>> Chaney)
>>>   5. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (David Anspach)
>>>   6. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Mike Freeman)
>>>   7. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (K C)
>>>   8. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>>   9. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:27:03 -0600
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <C62DFC3C1B5149B6A1F93EEA1E55263A at HILLC>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips,
>>> I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing
>>
>>> a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 2
>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:54:22 -0500
>>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <00f101c99c52$fea83e60$fdc8a8c0 at PaulJordan>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>> experience
>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who 
>>> uses
>>> a
>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>>> but
>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>> software
>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>>> his
>>> food
>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It amazes 
>>> me
>>> how
>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>>> and
>>> interested people here.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips,
>>> I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing
>>
>>> a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>> .net
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>> 03/03/09
>>> 07:25:00
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 3
>>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:58:49 -0600
>>> From: "Freeh, Jessica" <JFreeh at nfb.org> (by way of David Andrews
>>> <dandrews at visi.com>)
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] National Federation of the Blind President 
>>> to
>>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>>> Message-ID: <auto-000088034933 at mailfront1.g2host.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>>
>>>
>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> CONTACT:
>>>
>>> Chris Danielsen
>>>
>>> Director of Public Relations
>>>
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>>>
>>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>>>
>>> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> National Federation of the Blind President to
>>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Speech will Address Education and Civil Rights for All Americans
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Baltimore, Maryland (March 3, 2009): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of
>>> the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest
>>> organization of blind people in the United States, will give the
>>> keynote address at the Notre Dame Disability Studies Forum's
>>> blindness symposium.  The symposium will be held at the University 
>>> of
>>> Notre Dame on March 6, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.  The Notre
>>> Dame Disability Studies Forum is hosting speakers from arts-based 
>>> and
>>> technology-based disciplines to discuss the culture and technology
>>> surrounding blindness and low vision.  The symposium will also
>>> feature a technology fair running concurrently with the conference
>>> and highlighting products that blind people can use.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "I am honored to give the keynote address at this influential
>>> symposium conducted by my alma mater.  With the increasing use of
>>> electronic textbooks, Web-based instruction, and other technology in
>>> the classroom, it is critical that educators consider how all 
>>> aspects
>>> of the educational system can be made accessible to all students
>>> including the blind.  Only 10 percent of all blind children are
>>> currently learning to read and write using Braille.  Our educational
>>> system is failing these students and this issue must be addressed
>>> immediately.  I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these crucial
>>> subjects to this prestigious gathering."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Attendees of the symposium will get to see firsthand a brand-new,
>>> highly affordable navigational aid called AdapTap that blind 
>>> swimmers
>>> can use to keep their bearings in a swimming pool.  The National
>>> Federation of the Blind awarded the project a 2008 Dr. Jacob Bolotin
>>> Award for outstanding and innovative achievements in the blindness
>>> field.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Both the academic conference and the technology fair will be open at
>>> no charge to the general public. For more information about the
>>> symposium, please e-mail
>>> <mailto:BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com>BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com.
>>> For more information on the National Federation of the Blind, please
>>> visit <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ###
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> About the National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>> With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
>>> is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind
>>> people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives
>>> through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
>>> encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading
>>> force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
>>> blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of 
>>> the
>>> Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in
>>> the United States for the blind led by the blind.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 4
>>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:10:21 -0500
>>> From: Vincent Chaney <vgc732 at optonline.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <CBFDA2C57213463BACE67FB798C003A9 at Vincent>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>>
>>> Chanelle,
>>>
>>> Welcome to the list...
>>>
>>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic
>>> Minimed
>>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu 
>>> options.
>>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>>> "Squared"
>>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on this 
>>> and
>>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The Blog 
>>> I
>>> also
>>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used 
>>> with
>>> a
>>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to contact 
>>> one
>>> of
>>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice 
>>> Test
>>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" 
>>> and
>>> just
>>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of 
>>> Patient
>>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>>> Division
>>> of the NFBNJ.
>>>
>>> Vince
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips,
>>> I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing
>>
>>> a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>> nline.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 5
>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 22:32:31 -0500
>>> From: "David Anspach" <danspach at tampabay.rr.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <CA74FC1DE42045DDB93B0221DE92B215 at SuperMaddox>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> Hi Chanelle,
>>> Welcome to the diabetes talk list. This list is full of great people 
>>> and
>>> I
>>> think you will learn a lot here.
>>> My name is David anspach and I live in largo Florida with my wife 
>>> Tammy.
>>> We
>>> are both diabetics ad have been so for most of our lives, Tammy for
>>> nearly
>>> 42 years and I for about 34 years. Tammy has been using a Minimed
>>> insulin
>>> pump since 2001. she has used several different models, none of 
>>> which
>>> were
>>> very accessible, of course. She is now using the Paradigm 722 pump 
>>> with
>>> pretty good success. I saw how well she was able to control her 
>>> diabetes
>>> through the use of an insulin pump and started using a Minimed 
>>> Paradigm
>>> 712
>>> pump in 2004. I'm now also using the 722 because my insurance 
>>> company
>>> covered the upgrade and I figured why not go for it. I have had
>>> reasonable
>>> success using the pump as well.
>>>
>>> I have remained very frustrated with the fact that Minimed is yet to
>>> begin
>>> working on an accessible insulin pump. Tammy and I both have 
>>> discussed
>>> the
>>> development of an accessible insulin pump with various Minimed 
>>> people
>>> over
>>> the past four or five years. We continue to get the same basic 
>>> answer of
>>> "it's been suggested many, many times, but Minimed has not started
>>> looking
>>> at ways to develop a pump that is accessible to the blind." 
>>> Basically, I
>>> was
>>> told just last week that it comes down to a matter of what sells the
>>> most
>>> insulin pumps, making them accessible, or, adding other new 
>>> technologies
>>> to
>>> help the masses. I fear that it will take a smaller company to 
>>> actually
>>> develop an accessible insulin pump. In fact, it is my understanding 
>>> that
>>> the
>>> same people who developed the Prodigy Voice meter, DDI, are also 
>>> looking
>>> into the feasibility of developing an accessible insulin pump. I 
>>> even
>>> mentioned this to the Minimed people I met with a few weeks ago and 
>>> they
>>> seemed to be somewhat interested in learning more.
>>>
>>> I think the best thing you can do as a blind pumper is to continue 
>>> to
>>> talk
>>> to Minimed about creating an accessible pump. You just need to be
>>> persistent
>>> and ask anyone and everyone you talk to at Minimed who can take your
>>> request
>>> and actually submit it to the proper channels. According to the 
>>> sales
>>> rep
>>> I
>>> spoke with a few weeks ago, they have received  quite a lot of 
>>> requests
>>> for
>>> accessible pumps, so, they are at least hearing our requests. In the
>>> end,
>>> though, I think it will take a large number of blind diabetics to 
>>> get an
>>> accessible pump created. The manufacturers are certainly going to 
>>> put
>>> their
>>> research and development dollars into the technology that sells the 
>>> most
>>> pumps and benefits the largest number of diabetics out there. As the
>>> population ages, blindness will be on the rise along with the rise 
>>> in
>>> the
>>> number of diabetics encountering some type of visual impairment.
>>>
>>> In the end, I think it's sad that money drives the types of changes 
>>> we
>>> now
>>> see in insulin pumps.  I know this is just the way it is, but there 
>>> are
>>> so
>>> many blind diabetics out there who either use a pump now, or could
>>> benefit
>>> from the increased  level you get through the use of a pump. I know 
>>> the
>>> pump
>>> isn't for everyone, but, for those who are interested in the 
>>> increased
>>> level
>>> of control it offers, I think it is a great option.
>>>
>>> Have a great week,
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips,
>>> I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing
>>
>>> a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/danspach%40ta
>>> mpabay.rr.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 6
>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 19:58:23 -0800
>>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <FEAB66C6E6C74607A652D32A6DEAB00B at owner96190708e>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>>
>>> Chanelle:
>>>
>>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some 
>>> of
>>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what
>>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can read 
>>> a
>>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent issue.
>>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just peruse 
>>> the
>>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>>
>>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but 
>>> don't
>>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
>>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical 
>>> expertise
>>> on this list.
>>>
>>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others 
>>> from
>>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, the
>>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from an
>>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem 
>>> that it
>>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as simple 
>>> as
>>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when and 
>>> in
>>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system, 
>>> often
>>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically displayed 
>>> and
>>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, 
>>> the
>>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty 
>>> small
>>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a good
>>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>>> we're
>>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>>
>>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is like 
>>> the
>>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
>>> reading --
>>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>>
>>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>>
>>> Mike Freeman, President
>>> Diabetes Action Network
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips, I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
>> .com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 7
>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:42:52 -0500
>>> From: "K C" <kcc86 at hotmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <COL0-DAV48DC6774DDB33DC1156E3BAAA70 at phx.gbl>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>> reply-type=original
>>>
>>> Hello, Chanelle, and everyone.  I don't have information on the pump
>>> accessibility questions but it sounds like calling Home care 
>>> solutions
>>> is
>>> a
>>> great idea since I have a Prodigy voice meter.  smile
>>> I think I can help you with information about the Nfb centers.  Mike 
>>> may
>>> consider that off topic beyond your Diabetes class question.  If 
>>> you'd
>>> like
>>> more general information you're welcome to email me off list and 
>>> I'll
>>> try
>>> to
>>> help you.  I went to the Colorado center for the blind in Denver. 
>>> Take
>>> care.
>>> Kijuana
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:54 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>> subscriber
>>>
>>>
>>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>>> experience
>>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who 
>>>> uses
>>>> a
>>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>>>> but
>>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>>> software
>>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>>>> his
>>>> food
>>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It amazes 
>>>> me
>>>> how
>>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>>>> and
>>>> interested people here.
>>>>
>>>> Paul
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>> Hill
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am
>>>> a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips,
>>>> I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing
>>>> a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>>> .net
>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>>> 03/03/09
>>>> 07:25:00
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kcc86%40hotma
>> il.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 8
>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:44:14 -0600
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <516E1A12D11A4ABB820E22B0602C84C0 at HILLC>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> Dear Vince,
>>> Thanks for replying to my email. I am grateful for the many 
>>> responses I
>>> have
>>> received from the list. I am still using the 512 but would like to
>>> upgrade
>>> to the 522. How do you get your pump to deliver a square bolis? I 
>>> use
>>> the
>>> easy bolis feature with the beeps, but I would like to use the other
>>> bolis
>>> options--especially since they give a person even more control. Does 
>>> the
>>> square wave bolis have to do with insulin being delivered over the
>>> course
>>> of
>>> a few hours? I am able to fill my pump on my own. I just have a 
>>> sighted
>>> friend double check that there are no bubbles in my reservoirs. I 
>>> have
>>> been
>>> on the pump since 2004, and I went to a diabetes center in 2007 
>>> where
>>> the
>>> nurses were willing to teach me how to draw up insulin. Before that, 
>>> I
>>> thought filling reservoirs was impossible for a blind person.
>>> Thanks for checking on the Clever Check meter. The lady from 
>>> Homecare
>>> Solutions with whom I spoke sounded vague about it. Thanks for the
>>> information about Advanced Diabetic Solutions! I really need that 
>>> now
>>> since
>>> I haven't gotten anywhere with Homecare Solutions. If they have 
>>> already
>>> shipped out the Clever Check today as they said they would, I will
>>> report
>>> to
>>> the list as to what it is like.
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vincent 
>>> Chaney
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:10 PM
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>> subscriber
>>>
>>> Chanelle,
>>>
>>> Welcome to the list...
>>>
>>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic
>>> Minimed
>>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu 
>>> options.
>>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>>> "Squared"
>>>
>>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on this 
>>> and
>>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The Blog 
>>> I
>>> also
>>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used 
>>> with
>>> a
>>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to contact 
>>> one
>>> of
>>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice 
>>> Test
>>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" 
>>> and
>>> just
>>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of 
>>> Patient
>>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>>> Division
>>> of the NFBNJ.
>>>
>>> Vince
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips,
>>> I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing
>>
>>> a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>>> nline.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>>> gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 9
>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:03:53 -0600
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>> subscriber
>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Message-ID: <881C9EA144354F1BA00C4C14810A70E0 at HILLC>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> Dear Mike,
>>> Thanks for replying to my message. I will check out the Braille 
>>> Monitor.
>>> I
>>> subscribed to Voice of the Diabetic about a month ago and haven't
>>> received
>>> an issue yet. I opted to receive the publication via email.
>>> The CD I received from Blind Inc., seems to be a few years old since
>>> some
>>> of
>>> the articles date back to 2004, 2001, and those reprinted from the 
>>> 90's.
>>> I would like to get connected with diabetes educators who have had
>>> experience working with the blind.
>>> That would be great if Prodigy made a talking pump!
>>> Minimed pumps have software that allows one to make changes to basal
>>> rates,
>>> the increment for easy bolis, time and date, and other items that 
>>> are
>>> set
>>> through the pump menus. It would be nice if one could also use the
>>> software
>>> to program a bolis that would be delivered as soon as the pump was
>>> disconnected from the computer. For example, I think that the pump 
>>> has
>>> bolis
>>> wizzard--a feature to calculate insulin needed for carbs eaten and 
>>> high
>>> blood sugars. These calculations can easily be made manually, but I
>>> think
>>> the pump also keeps track of active insulin.
>>> I will figure out who I could speak to at Minimed about this or pump
>>> accessibility. I appreciate your efforts to advocate accessibility 
>>> with
>>> the
>>> insulin pump companies.
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 PM
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>> subscriber
>>>
>>> Chanelle:
>>>
>>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some 
>>> of
>>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what
>>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can read 
>>> a
>>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent issue.
>>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just peruse 
>>> the
>>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>>
>>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but 
>>> don't
>>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
>>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical 
>>> expertise
>>> on this list.
>>>
>>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others 
>>> from
>>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, the
>>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from an
>>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem 
>>> that it
>>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as simple 
>>> as
>>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when and 
>>> in
>>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system, 
>>> often
>>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically displayed 
>>> and
>>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, 
>>> the
>>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty 
>>> small
>>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a good
>>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>>> we're
>>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>>
>>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is like 
>>> the
>>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
>>> reading --
>>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>>
>>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>>
>>> Mike Freeman, President
>>> Diabetes Action Network
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear List Members,
>>>
>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>> several
>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>> has
>>> had
>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>> I am
>>> a
>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>> insulin
>>> pump
>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
>>> the
>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>> in
>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>> the
>>> new
>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>> to
>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>> fixed
>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
>>> Minimed
>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>> that
>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>> one
>>> has
>>> gotten back to me.
>>>
>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>> meter
>>> on
>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>> strips, I
>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>> for
>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>> supposedly
>>> like
>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>> new
>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>> accessible
>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>
>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
>>> centers
>>> in
>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>> containing a
>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
>>> Do
>>> you
>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
>>> .com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>>> gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>>
>>> End of Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>>> ********************************************
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>> gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Diabetes-talk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/awheeler%40neb.rr.com
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 
> 03/05/09
> 07:54:00
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:32:55 -0500
> From: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] pumps
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Message-ID: <20090305203255.12273.50574 at web1.serotek.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format="flowed"
>
> Tell me more about this rapid insulin.
> This is why I brought it up here.
> Does it come in a pin like the humalog does?
> They only one me on it for a short time.
> Not for a long time.
> My a one c this time is 5.6 so my question is,
> I wouldn't want to go down so fast that I would have problems I don't 
> have
> now?
> Way to low things like that?
> this is where my fears are.
> thanks,
>
> -- 
> --Dar
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:34:45 -0500
> From: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] pumps
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Message-ID: <20090305203445.12275.22867 at web1.serotek.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format="flowed"
>
> Carbs,
> I went to buy a loaf of bread yesterday, where they couldn't find the
> loaf I usually get.
> The lady had no clue how to find or read the carbs on the loaf.
> Just take it was her manner.
> How do you get around this problem in the store.
> I was more than frustrated.
> I do count my carbs and stay close to the forty five carbs I am 
> allowed
> to have at each meal.
>
> -- 
> --Dar
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:56:40 -0600
> From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <auto-000013828497 at mailback1.g2host.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Chanelle,
>
> Since I live in the Twin Cities and volunteer some at BLIND 
> Incorporated,
> your note caught my attention.  I know of cases where information 
> about
> BLIND
> Incorporated was presented in such a way as to push interested 
> students in
> another direction.  In some cases, my guess is that those providing 
> the
> information just
> didn't have a good
> working knowledge of BLIND Incorporated.  In other cases, I believe 
> that a
> few professionals are simply biased against it.  You are really the 
> best
> person to decide
> what will work for you, and I hope you will take a tour and ask 
> questions
> and make your decision based upon the answers you get.  If a facility 
> is
> going to truly give
> you something, it has to have methods that it believes have been 
> proven to
> work.  Without that, all facilities would be the same.  BLIND 
> Incorporated
> has methods
> that it has found to work well for over twenty
> years now, and if too much of their program is not followed, it is
> questionable whether training can have the desired results.  Some
> interpret this as being "strict," but
> from what I have seen it doesn't come across that way.  I have 
> personally
> seen many instances where there has been flexibility shown to 
> accommodate
> the specific
> needs and strengths of particular students.
>
> I received my training before BLIND Inc. was in existence.  And while 
> my
> training wasn't bad, I am always struck when I
> enter Blind Incorporated by the happy atmosphere and the give and take
> that seems to be a part of daily activities there.  The aroma that 
> seems
> to constantly come
> out of the kitchen is a big selling point, too.  Again, take a tour 
> and
> ask questions, and
> make your decision based upon those questions.  Graduates of that 
> program
> tend to be successful, and that says something.
>
> The NFB has a philosophy that is a part of BLIND Incorporated, but
> certainly there are and have been many students who were not NFB 
> members.
> Some have
> joined and some have not.  It is our hope that you might consider 
> joining
> at some point, but it needs to be based on the examples we try to set 
> and
> what you
> observe, and not on any absolute requirement.  While we always welcome 
> new
> members, we really do want to see blind people graduate from BLIND
> Incorporated
> with the confidence they need to achieve what they want to achieve in
> their lives.  As an organization, we can do a lot to help reinforce
> confidence, but to be the
> kind of member we need, it has to be a decision you make and not one 
> that
> you are pressured or required to make, and I think you would find that 
> you
> are given the
> opportunity to make up your own mind about us without being made to 
> feel
> uncomfortable.
>
> I hope we meet you in person down the road.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve Jacobson
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:13
>>Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>
>
>>> Dear Bern,
>>> I'm not sure if it is okay to be talking about Blind Inc. on the
>>> diabetes
>>> list, so maybe if we continue this conversation you could write me 
>>> off
>>> list?
>>> I should not have mentioned it and just stuck to the portion about a
>>> diabetes class at the center.
>>> Blind Inc. seems to be very thorough in training clients. However, I 
>>> am
>>> a
>>> little worried because the policies seem to be quite strict and I am 
>>> not
>>> sure how open staff are to someone who is not from the NFB. I am 
>>> also
>>> curious as to how flexible the staff members are. I hope to arrange 
>>> a
>>> tour
>>> for sometime late this month or early next month. I live a few hours
>>> from
>>> Minneapolis, so I need to plan a trip with my friends who will be
>>> driving.
>>>
>>> Chanelle
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The Jacobs'
>>> Family
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:58 AM
>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>>>
>>> Good Morning Chanelle:
>>>
>>> There was a question here about BLIND     Inc.  Please rest assured 
>>> that
>>> BLIND INC. is one of our training centers.  Can't get much better 
>>> than
>>> that
>>> Honey.  I've personally known many of the staff there--seems like 
>>> since
>>> dirt!  The standards are impeccably high.  Believe me, you won't 
>>> regret
>>> attending there.  And, of course, we now have Diabetes 
>>> Management/Care
>>> training at all of our Centers.  With the growing diabetic 
>>> population,
>>> obviously comes the growing demand for diabetes management
>>> education/training.
>>>
>>> Welcome back Miss Chanelle!!
>>>
>>> Bern
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: <diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:00 PM
>>> Subject: Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>>>
>>>
>>>> Send Diabetes-talk mailing list submissions to
>>>> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>> diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>> diabetes-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>> than "Re: Contents of Diabetes-talk digest..."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>>
>>>>   1. questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>>>   2. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>>      (Paul & Paula Jordan)
>>>>   3. National Federation of the Blind President to Deliver Keynote
>>>>      Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium (Freeh, Jessica)
>>>>   4. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Vincent 
>>>> Chaney)
>>>>   5. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (David 
>>>> Anspach)
>>>>   6. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Mike Freeman)
>>>>   7. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (K C)
>>>>   8. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle 
>>>> Hill)
>>>>   9. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle 
>>>> Hill)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 1
>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:27:03 -0600
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <C62DFC3C1B5149B6A1F93EEA1E55263A at HILLC>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips,
>>>> I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing
>>>
>>>> a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 2
>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:54:22 -0500
>>>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <00f101c99c52$fea83e60$fdc8a8c0 at PaulJordan>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>
>>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>>> experience
>>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who 
>>>> uses
>>>> a
>>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>>>> but
>>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>>> software
>>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>>>> his
>>>> food
>>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It amazes 
>>>> me
>>>> how
>>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>>>> and
>>>> interested people here.
>>>>
>>>> Paul
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>> Hill
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips,
>>>> I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing
>>>
>>>> a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>>> .net
>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>>> 03/03/09
>>>> 07:25:00
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 3
>>>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:58:49 -0600
>>>> From: "Freeh, Jessica" <JFreeh at nfb.org> (by way of David Andrews
>>>> <dandrews at visi.com>)
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] National Federation of the Blind President 
>>>> to
>>>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>>> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>>>> Message-ID: <auto-000088034933 at mailfront1.g2host.com>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> CONTACT:
>>>>
>>>> Chris Danielsen
>>>>
>>>> Director of Public Relations
>>>>
>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>
>>>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>>>>
>>>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>>>>
>>>> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> National Federation of the Blind President to
>>>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Speech will Address Education and Civil Rights for All Americans
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Baltimore, Maryland (March 3, 2009): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of
>>>> the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest
>>>> organization of blind people in the United States, will give the
>>>> keynote address at the Notre Dame Disability Studies Forum's
>>>> blindness symposium.  The symposium will be held at the University 
>>>> of
>>>> Notre Dame on March 6, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.  The Notre
>>>> Dame Disability Studies Forum is hosting speakers from arts-based 
>>>> and
>>>> technology-based disciplines to discuss the culture and technology
>>>> surrounding blindness and low vision.  The symposium will also
>>>> feature a technology fair running concurrently with the conference
>>>> and highlighting products that blind people can use.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "I am honored to give the keynote address at this influential
>>>> symposium conducted by my alma mater.  With the increasing use of
>>>> electronic textbooks, Web-based instruction, and other technology 
>>>> in
>>>> the classroom, it is critical that educators consider how all 
>>>> aspects
>>>> of the educational system can be made accessible to all students
>>>> including the blind.  Only 10 percent of all blind children are
>>>> currently learning to read and write using Braille.  Our 
>>>> educational
>>>> system is failing these students and this issue must be addressed
>>>> immediately.  I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these 
>>>> crucial
>>>> subjects to this prestigious gathering."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Attendees of the symposium will get to see firsthand a brand-new,
>>>> highly affordable navigational aid called AdapTap that blind 
>>>> swimmers
>>>> can use to keep their bearings in a swimming pool.  The National
>>>> Federation of the Blind awarded the project a 2008 Dr. Jacob 
>>>> Bolotin
>>>> Award for outstanding and innovative achievements in the blindness
>>>> field.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Both the academic conference and the technology fair will be open 
>>>> at
>>>> no charge to the general public. For more information about the
>>>> symposium, please e-mail
>>>> <mailto:BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com>BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com.
>>>> For more information on the National Federation of the Blind, 
>>>> please
>>>> visit <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ###
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> About the National Federation of the Blind
>>>>
>>>> With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
>>>> is the largest and most influential membership organization of 
>>>> blind
>>>> people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives
>>>> through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
>>>> encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading
>>>> force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
>>>> blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of 
>>>> the
>>>> Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in
>>>> the United States for the blind led by the blind.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 4
>>>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:10:21 -0500
>>>> From: Vincent Chaney <vgc732 at optonline.net>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <CBFDA2C57213463BACE67FB798C003A9 at Vincent>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle,
>>>>
>>>> Welcome to the list...
>>>>
>>>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic
>>>> Minimed
>>>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu
>>>> options.
>>>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>>>> "Squared"
>>>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>>>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on this 
>>>> and
>>>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The Blog 
>>>> I
>>>> also
>>>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used 
>>>> with
>>>> a
>>>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to contact 
>>>> one
>>>> of
>>>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice 
>>>> Test
>>>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" 
>>>> and
>>>> just
>>>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>>>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>>>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of
>>>> Patient
>>>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>>>> Division
>>>> of the NFBNJ.
>>>>
>>>> Vince
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips,
>>>> I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing
>>>
>>>> a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>>> nline.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 5
>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 22:32:31 -0500
>>>> From: "David Anspach" <danspach at tampabay.rr.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <CA74FC1DE42045DDB93B0221DE92B215 at SuperMaddox>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>
>>>> Hi Chanelle,
>>>> Welcome to the diabetes talk list. This list is full of great 
>>>> people
>>>> and I
>>>> think you will learn a lot here.
>>>> My name is David anspach and I live in largo Florida with my wife
>>>> Tammy.
>>>> We
>>>> are both diabetics ad have been so for most of our lives, Tammy for
>>>> nearly
>>>> 42 years and I for about 34 years. Tammy has been using a Minimed
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump since 2001. she has used several different models, none of 
>>>> which
>>>> were
>>>> very accessible, of course. She is now using the Paradigm 722 pump 
>>>> with
>>>> pretty good success. I saw how well she was able to control her
>>>> diabetes
>>>> through the use of an insulin pump and started using a Minimed 
>>>> Paradigm
>>>> 712
>>>> pump in 2004. I'm now also using the 722 because my insurance 
>>>> company
>>>> covered the upgrade and I figured why not go for it. I have had
>>>> reasonable
>>>> success using the pump as well.
>>>>
>>>> I have remained very frustrated with the fact that Minimed is yet 
>>>> to
>>>> begin
>>>> working on an accessible insulin pump. Tammy and I both have 
>>>> discussed
>>>> the
>>>> development of an accessible insulin pump with various Minimed 
>>>> people
>>>> over
>>>> the past four or five years. We continue to get the same basic 
>>>> answer
>>>> of
>>>> "it's been suggested many, many times, but Minimed has not started
>>>> looking
>>>> at ways to develop a pump that is accessible to the blind." 
>>>> Basically,
>>>> I
>>>> was
>>>> told just last week that it comes down to a matter of what sells 
>>>> the
>>>> most
>>>> insulin pumps, making them accessible, or, adding other new
>>>> technologies
>>>> to
>>>> help the masses. I fear that it will take a smaller company to 
>>>> actually
>>>> develop an accessible insulin pump. In fact, it is my understanding
>>>> that
>>>> the
>>>> same people who developed the Prodigy Voice meter, DDI, are also
>>>> looking
>>>> into the feasibility of developing an accessible insulin pump. I 
>>>> even
>>>> mentioned this to the Minimed people I met with a few weeks ago and
>>>> they
>>>> seemed to be somewhat interested in learning more.
>>>>
>>>> I think the best thing you can do as a blind pumper is to continue 
>>>> to
>>>> talk
>>>> to Minimed about creating an accessible pump. You just need to be
>>>> persistent
>>>> and ask anyone and everyone you talk to at Minimed who can take 
>>>> your
>>>> request
>>>> and actually submit it to the proper channels. According to the 
>>>> sales
>>>> rep
>>>> I
>>>> spoke with a few weeks ago, they have received  quite a lot of 
>>>> requests
>>>> for
>>>> accessible pumps, so, they are at least hearing our requests. In 
>>>> the
>>>> end,
>>>> though, I think it will take a large number of blind diabetics to 
>>>> get
>>>> an
>>>> accessible pump created. The manufacturers are certainly going to 
>>>> put
>>>> their
>>>> research and development dollars into the technology that sells the
>>>> most
>>>> pumps and benefits the largest number of diabetics out there. As 
>>>> the
>>>> population ages, blindness will be on the rise along with the rise 
>>>> in
>>>> the
>>>> number of diabetics encountering some type of visual impairment.
>>>>
>>>> In the end, I think it's sad that money drives the types of changes 
>>>> we
>>>> now
>>>> see in insulin pumps.  I know this is just the way it is, but there 
>>>> are
>>>> so
>>>> many blind diabetics out there who either use a pump now, or could
>>>> benefit
>>>> from the increased  level you get through the use of a pump. I know 
>>>> the
>>>> pump
>>>> isn't for everyone, but, for those who are interested in the 
>>>> increased
>>>> level
>>>> of control it offers, I think it is a great option.
>>>>
>>>> Have a great week,
>>>>
>>>> Dave
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>> Hill
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips,
>>>> I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing
>>>
>>>> a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/danspach%40ta
>>>> mpabay.rr.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 6
>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 19:58:23 -0800
>>>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <FEAB66C6E6C74607A652D32A6DEAB00B at owner96190708e>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle:
>>>>
>>>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some 
>>>> of
>>>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what
>>>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>>>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can 
>>>> read a
>>>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent 
>>>> issue.
>>>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just 
>>>> peruse
>>>> the
>>>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>>>
>>>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but
>>>> don't
>>>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
>>>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>>>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical
>>>> expertise
>>>> on this list.
>>>>
>>>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others 
>>>> from
>>>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, 
>>>> the
>>>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from 
>>>> an
>>>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem 
>>>> that
>>>> it
>>>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as 
>>>> simple as
>>>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when 
>>>> and in
>>>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system,
>>>> often
>>>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically displayed 
>>>> and
>>>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>>>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>>>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, 
>>>> the
>>>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty 
>>>> small
>>>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a good
>>>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>>>> we're
>>>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>>>
>>>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is 
>>>> like
>>>> the
>>>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
>>>> reading --
>>>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>>>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>>>
>>>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>>>
>>>> Mike Freeman, President
>>>> Diabetes Action Network
>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am
>>>> a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips, I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
>>> .com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 7
>>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:42:52 -0500
>>>> From: "K C" <kcc86 at hotmail.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <COL0-DAV48DC6774DDB33DC1156E3BAAA70 at phx.gbl>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>>> reply-type=original
>>>>
>>>> Hello, Chanelle, and everyone.  I don't have information on the 
>>>> pump
>>>> accessibility questions but it sounds like calling Home care 
>>>> solutions
>>>> is
>>>> a
>>>> great idea since I have a Prodigy voice meter.  smile
>>>> I think I can help you with information about the Nfb centers. 
>>>> Mike
>>>> may
>>>> consider that off topic beyond your Diabetes class question.  If 
>>>> you'd
>>>> like
>>>> more general information you're welcome to email me off list and 
>>>> I'll
>>>> try
>>>> to
>>>> help you.  I went to the Colorado center for the blind in Denver. 
>>>> Take
>>>> care.
>>>> Kijuana
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:54 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>>>> experience
>>>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who
>>>>> uses a
>>>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>>>>> but
>>>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>>>> software
>>>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>>>>> his
>>>>> food
>>>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It 
>>>>> amazes me
>>>>> how
>>>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>>>>> and
>>>>> interested people here.
>>>>>
>>>>> Paul
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>>> Hill
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am
>>>>> a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips,
>>>>> I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing
>>>>> a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>>>> .net
>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>>>> 03/03/09
>>>>> 07:25:00
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kcc86%40hotma
>>> il.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 8
>>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:44:14 -0600
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <516E1A12D11A4ABB820E22B0602C84C0 at HILLC>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>
>>>> Dear Vince,
>>>> Thanks for replying to my email. I am grateful for the many 
>>>> responses I
>>>> have
>>>> received from the list. I am still using the 512 but would like to
>>>> upgrade
>>>> to the 522. How do you get your pump to deliver a square bolis? I 
>>>> use
>>>> the
>>>> easy bolis feature with the beeps, but I would like to use the 
>>>> other
>>>> bolis
>>>> options--especially since they give a person even more control. 
>>>> Does
>>>> the
>>>> square wave bolis have to do with insulin being delivered over the
>>>> course
>>>> of
>>>> a few hours? I am able to fill my pump on my own. I just have a 
>>>> sighted
>>>> friend double check that there are no bubbles in my reservoirs. I 
>>>> have
>>>> been
>>>> on the pump since 2004, and I went to a diabetes center in 2007 
>>>> where
>>>> the
>>>> nurses were willing to teach me how to draw up insulin. Before 
>>>> that, I
>>>> thought filling reservoirs was impossible for a blind person.
>>>> Thanks for checking on the Clever Check meter. The lady from 
>>>> Homecare
>>>> Solutions with whom I spoke sounded vague about it. Thanks for the
>>>> information about Advanced Diabetic Solutions! I really need that 
>>>> now
>>>> since
>>>> I haven't gotten anywhere with Homecare Solutions. If they have 
>>>> already
>>>> shipped out the Clever Check today as they said they would, I will
>>>> report
>>>> to
>>>> the list as to what it is like.
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vincent 
>>>> Chaney
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:10 PM
>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle,
>>>>
>>>> Welcome to the list...
>>>>
>>>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic
>>>> Minimed
>>>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu
>>>> options.
>>>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>>>> "Squared"
>>>>
>>>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>>>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on this 
>>>> and
>>>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The Blog 
>>>> I
>>>> also
>>>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used 
>>>> with
>>>> a
>>>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to contact 
>>>> one
>>>> of
>>>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice 
>>>> Test
>>>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" 
>>>> and
>>>> just
>>>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>>>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>>>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of
>>>> Patient
>>>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>>>> Division
>>>> of the NFBNJ.
>>>>
>>>> Vince
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips,
>>>> I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing
>>>
>>>> a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>>>> nline.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>>>> gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Message: 9
>>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:03:53 -0600
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Message-ID: <881C9EA144354F1BA00C4C14810A70E0 at HILLC>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>
>>>> Dear Mike,
>>>> Thanks for replying to my message. I will check out the Braille
>>>> Monitor. I
>>>> subscribed to Voice of the Diabetic about a month ago and haven't
>>>> received
>>>> an issue yet. I opted to receive the publication via email.
>>>> The CD I received from Blind Inc., seems to be a few years old 
>>>> since
>>>> some
>>>> of
>>>> the articles date back to 2004, 2001, and those reprinted from the
>>>> 90's.
>>>> I would like to get connected with diabetes educators who have had
>>>> experience working with the blind.
>>>> That would be great if Prodigy made a talking pump!
>>>> Minimed pumps have software that allows one to make changes to 
>>>> basal
>>>> rates,
>>>> the increment for easy bolis, time and date, and other items that 
>>>> are
>>>> set
>>>> through the pump menus. It would be nice if one could also use the
>>>> software
>>>> to program a bolis that would be delivered as soon as the pump was
>>>> disconnected from the computer. For example, I think that the pump 
>>>> has
>>>> bolis
>>>> wizzard--a feature to calculate insulin needed for carbs eaten and 
>>>> high
>>>> blood sugars. These calculations can easily be made manually, but I
>>>> think
>>>> the pump also keeps track of active insulin.
>>>> I will figure out who I could speak to at Minimed about this or 
>>>> pump
>>>> accessibility. I appreciate your efforts to advocate accessibility 
>>>> with
>>>> the
>>>> insulin pump companies.
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 PM
>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle:
>>>>
>>>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some 
>>>> of
>>>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what
>>>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>>>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can 
>>>> read a
>>>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent 
>>>> issue.
>>>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just 
>>>> peruse
>>>> the
>>>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>>>
>>>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but
>>>> don't
>>>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
>>>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>>>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical
>>>> expertise
>>>> on this list.
>>>>
>>>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others 
>>>> from
>>>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, 
>>>> the
>>>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from 
>>>> an
>>>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem 
>>>> that
>>>> it
>>>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as 
>>>> simple as
>>>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when 
>>>> and in
>>>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system,
>>>> often
>>>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically displayed 
>>>> and
>>>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>>>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>>>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, 
>>>> the
>>>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty 
>>>> small
>>>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a good
>>>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>>>> we're
>>>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>>>
>>>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is 
>>>> like
>>>> the
>>>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
>>>> reading --
>>>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>>>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>>>
>>>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>>>
>>>> Mike Freeman, President
>>>> Diabetes Action Network
>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>> subscriber
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>
>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>> several
>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
>>>> has
>>>> had
>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. 
>>>> I
>>>> am
>>>> a
>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
>>>> insulin
>>>> pump
>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved 
>>>> in
>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>> the
>>>> new
>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>> to
>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
>>>> fixed
>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>> from
>>>> Minimed
>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
>>>> that
>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>> one
>>>> has
>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>
>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>> meter
>>>> on
>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>> strips, I
>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>> for
>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
>>>> supposedly
>>>> like
>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>> new
>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
>>>> accessible
>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>
>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>> centers
>>>> in
>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>> containing a
>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>> mentioned. Do
>>>> you
>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
>>>> .com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>>>> gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> End of Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>>>> ********************************************
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
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>>> gmail.com
>>>
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>
>
>>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 
>>03/05/09
>>07:54:00
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 14:16:28 -0800
> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
> subscriber
> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <47D43D5F6DC0452087990ED270255DF9 at owner96190708e>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Chanelle:
>
> One of the best nutritional websites is http://www.calorieking.com; 
> it's
> a bit busy but quite accessible. Also, if you're into fast food as I
> admit I am at times, a bit of sluething from Google will yield carb
> counts for the usual temptations. Ultimately, though, a sighted reader
> is extremely useful.
>
> No, the KNFB Reader doesn't handle barcodes. That would require quite 
> a
> database.
>
> National Braile Press has an Atkins diet list of foods that has carb
> counts also and NFB used to sell an ADA exchange list. Hope Warshaw's
> guide to carb counting is available from RFB&D.
>
> HTH!
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:01 AM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
>
> Hello Dave,
> Thank you for explaining your process for using the bolis wizzard. I 
> see
> my
> diabetes educator in a few weeks so I will talk to her about it.
> For the past several years, I have been meaning to use the Paradigm 
> Pal
> Software. Now that I finally got the right cable a few weeks ago, I
> should
> try it. Unfortunately, the people atMinimed didn't know what I meant 
> at
> first. They sent me the meter to work with the Personal Care or 
> whatever
> it
> is called where people upload their pump readings online.
> I have memorized the button pushing sequence for setting a temporary
> basal
> rate, so if anyone needs the steps, please let me know. Of course, go
> through the process with someone sighted first (smile).
> I would definitely be interested in having the Paradigm Pal software
> made
> more accessible with Jaws. I have always wanted to learn Jaws 
> scripting.
> Maybe someday when I get around to it, I can help with the Paradigm 
> Pal
> Software (smile).
> Speaking of carbs, what ways have you or anyone on this list found to 
> be
> effective for reading nutrition labels or getting access to that
> information. I have sighted friends read labels for me, but it is easy
> to
> forget in keeping track of so many things. Since I am getting set up
> with
> Services for the Blind, I am hoping to get a portable scanner or
> something
> similar that would read barcodes. Does the K NFB reader do this? I 
> also
> know
> that there are websites that give nutritional information for certain
> foods,
> but I have forgotten what those are.
> I have been using my pump for five years, but I am feeling more 
> hopeful
> about using it more effectively since I have gotten responses to my
> questions on this list.
>
> Chanelle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Anspach
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:36 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Hello Chanelle,
> I have successfully used the bolus wizard on the Paradigm series of
> insulin
> pumps. It was much easier than I expected and requires just a few 
> things
> be
> set up in the pump itself first. Afterwards, it is just a matter of
> pressing
> the button furthest to the left followed by pressing the far right
> button,
> or activate, button. I haven't used this feature of my pump in quite a
> while, but am planning on getting back into the habit once an insulin
> pump
> trainer comes out to my home and helps me adjust my basal rates. From
> what I
> remember, these are the steps:
> 1. Press the button furthest to the left. I think this tells the pump
> you
> are ready to begin entering information into the bolus wizard.
> 2. Using the arrow keys, you enter the value of your blood sugar 
> reading
> that is over your target value. For example, my target value is 100. 
> If
> I
> check my blood sugar and I get a reading of 130, then I would press 
> the
> up
> arrow key 30 times.
> 3. You then press the far right, activate, button on your pump.
> 4. Using the arrow keys again, you enter the value of your carbs you 
> are
> about to eat. So for example, if you are going to eat 30 grams in 
> carbs,
> you
> would enter this value using the arrow keys. In my case, I chose to 
> set
> the
> up arrow to enter 1 gram per arrow press as it was easier and provided
> much
> more control than setting it to 5 grams per press. So, I would press 
> the
> up
> arrow 30 times to enter the carb value.
> 5. Finally, you press the activate button, I think, twice to tell the
> pump
> you are finished. The first press causes the pump to display the 
> number
> of
> units of insulin the pump has calculated you will need based on your
> blood
> sugar reading and the carbs you will be eating. The second press 
> causes
> the
> bolus wizard to begin administering the insulin.
>
> As I stated above, I'm not 100% sure my steps are accurate, but, I 
> think
> they are close. So, don't try this at home <smile>. In any event, you
> will
> need to have someone sighted give you a hand in the initial set up of
> the
> bolus wizard. You will need to set your target blood sugar value, the
> number
> of carbs each press of the up arrow key represents and I think that's
> it.
> The nice thing about using the bolus wizard is that it shows your 
> health
> care provider what your blood sugars have been running and your 
> average
>carb
> intake.
>
> Someone also mentioned the software that you can purchase that allows
> you to
> adjust various settings on your pump, including basal rates. I believe
> this
> software is called something like Paradigm Pal, but I'm not totally
> sure.
> When I first got my pump back in 2004,  I took a look at this 
> software.
> Unfortunately, it was written totally in Java and was basically
> inaccessible
> using a screen reader, such as JAWS. I tried working with their 
> software
> developers to get it to be more accessible, but, my efforts didn't pan
> out
> as I had a lot of trouble getting the Java run-time environment and
> access
> bridge set up correctly on my PC. Once I did, I lost their contact 
> info
> and
> sort of gave up. I have a newer copy of this software around somewhere
> that
> I received after getting my new 722 last spring. I have been looking 
> for
> it
> as I want to see if it is any better now than it was nearly 5 years 
> ago.
> Since I also work for Freedom Scientific, I may end up taking it into
> our
> development team and asking them to see what might be done on the JAWS
> side
> of things to help access the software. I think that in order to
> actually
> get changes made to JAWS, I will have to show project management that
> there
> is enough need for changes in JAWS. If you or anyone else, for that
> matter
> is interested, then please let me know. The more interest in the use 
> of
> this
> software by blind diabetics who use Minimed pumps, then the better the
> chances we will have in getting changes made. I also have a contact at
> Minimed that I am going to try and use to see if I can get back in 
> touch
> with their software development team. I truly think that if we cannot
> get an
> accessible pump, then having software that is accessible that allows 
> us
> to
> manage our pumps will be just about as good.
>
> Sorry for the long post, but, I am very passionate about making life 
> for
> blind pumpers  that much easier.
>
> Have a great Thursday,
>
> Dave
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 12:04 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Dear Mike,
> Thanks for replying to my message. I will check out the Braille 
> Monitor.
> I
> subscribed to Voice of the Diabetic about a month ago and haven't
> received
> an issue yet. I opted to receive the publication via email.
> The CD I received from Blind Inc., seems to be a few years old since
> some of
> the articles date back to 2004, 2001, and those reprinted from the 
> 90's.
> I would like to get connected with diabetes educators who have had
> experience working with the blind.
> That would be great if Prodigy made a talking pump!
> Minimed pumps have software that allows one to make changes to basal
> rates,
> the increment for easy bolis, time and date, and other items that are
> set
> through the pump menus. It would be nice if one could also use the
> software
> to program a bolis that would be delivered as soon as the pump was
> disconnected from the computer. For example, I think that the pump has
> bolis
> wizzard--a feature to calculate insulin needed for carbs eaten and 
> high
> blood sugars. These calculations can easily be made manually, but I
> think
> the pump also keeps track of active insulin.
> I will figure out who I could speak to at Minimed about this or pump
> accessibility. I appreciate your efforts to advocate accessibility 
> with
> the
> insulin pump companies.
>
> Chanelle
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Chanelle:
>
> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some of
> the
> personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what 
> they're
> about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the "Publications"
> link
> and thence to "The Braille Monitor", you can read a review and
> description
> of
> the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent issue.
> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just peruse 
> the
> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>
> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but 
> don't
> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
> there
> who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
> blindness-savvy
> CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical expertise on this list.
>
> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others from
> the
> Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, the
> situation
> isn't much different than that which you described from an article
> several
> years ago. Although at first blush it would seem that it would be easy
> to
> make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as simple as one might
> suppose.
> One has to determine what must be spoken when and in what form (for
> example,
> if one is using a pump with a CGMS system, often the information is
> graphically displayed, not numerically displayed and one must figure 
> out
> how
> to convey this verbally). WE have had some communication with one pump
> manufacturer which has showed a bit of interest. However, if truth be
> told,
> despite what we might think, the blind (and yes, I mean the visually
> impaired also) are a pretty small segment of the market so pump
> manufacturers have to be shown a good reason for making the investment
> in
> access technology. AS I say, we're working on it. I doubt anything is 
> in
> the
> immediate offing.
>
> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is like 
> the
> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
> reading --
> once
> -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I emphasize
> that
> I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>
> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>
> Mike Freeman, President
> Diabetes Action Network
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>
>
> Dear List Members,
>
> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
> several
> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
> has
> had
> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
> am
> a
> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
> insulin
> pump
> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
> the
> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved in
> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the
> new
> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
> fixed
> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
> Minimed
> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
> that
> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no one
> has
> gotten back to me.
>
> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice meter
> on
> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
> strips, I
> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips for
> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
> supposedly
> like
> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this new
> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
> accessible
> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>
> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
> centers
> in
> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
> containing a
> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
> Do
> you
> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>
> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>
>
>
> Chanelle
>
> _______________________________________________
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> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
> .com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
> gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/danspach%40ta
> mpabay.rr.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
> gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 14:19:56 -0800
> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] pumps
> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <A47176ECD3A445E6BE05B42225675589 at owner96190708e>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Dar:
>
> Both of the common rapid-acting insulins (Humalog and Novolog) come in
> both pens and syringes. I believe also that both come in both 
> disposable
> pens and pens using a cartridge.
>
> The "rapid-acting" part refers to time of onset, not necessarily to 
> how
> fast your blood sugar is reduced. Whereas regular insulin can take 
> from
> thirty to forty-five minutes to start to work, rapid-acting insuins
> begin to work from fifteen minutes to a half-hour at most, at least 
> most
> of the time.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "d m gina" <dmgina at samobile.net>
> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] pumps
>
>
> Tell me more about this rapid insulin.
> This is why I brought it up here.
> Does it come in a pin like the humalog does?
> They only one me on it for a short time.
> Not for a long time.
> My a one c this time is 5.6 so my question is,
> I wouldn't want to go down so fast that I would have problems I don't
> have now?
> Way to low things like that?
> this is where my fears are.
> thanks,
>
> -- 
> --Dar
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 17:38:31 -0500
> From: "K C" <kcc86 at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <COL0-DAV5D72684702DBCA58C8079AAA40 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> I agree with you, Steve, and I'd also add that as a former, and happy
> student of the Colorado center for the blind, I have found both the
> philosophy, and the program itself quite stimulating, and fulfilling 
> to my
> whole life.
>
> I also understand Chanelle's concern about not being a member of Nfb,
> since
> most of us who go to these programs are members of this organization. 
> As
> far as I know all the nfb programs are great, and most realistically 
> train
> us to live as totally independent blind people whitch is what it's all
> about
> at the end of the very long day.  :)  Take care, all,
>
> Kijuana
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 3:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>
>
>> Chanelle,
>>
>> Since I live in the Twin Cities and volunteer some at BLIND 
>> Incorporated,
>> your note caught my attention.  I know of cases where information 
>> about
>> BLIND
>> Incorporated was presented in such a way as to push interested 
>> students
>> in
>> another direction.  In some cases, my guess is that those providing 
>> the
>> information just
>> didn't have a good
>> working knowledge of BLIND Incorporated.  In other cases, I believe 
>> that
>> a
>> few professionals are simply biased against it.  You are really the 
>> best
>> person to decide
>> what will work for you, and I hope you will take a tour and ask 
>> questions
>> and make your decision based upon the answers you get.  If a facility 
>> is
>> going to truly give
>> you something, it has to have methods that it believes have been 
>> proven
>> to
>> work.  Without that, all facilities would be the same.  BLIND
>> Incorporated
>> has methods
>> that it has found to work well for over twenty
>> years now, and if too much of their program is not followed, it is
>> questionable whether training can have the desired results.  Some
>> interpret this as being "strict," but
>> from what I have seen it doesn't come across that way.  I have 
>> personally
>> seen many instances where there has been flexibility shown to 
>> accommodate
>> the specific
>> needs and strengths of particular students.
>>
>> I received my training before BLIND Inc. was in existence.  And while 
>> my
>> training wasn't bad, I am always struck when I
>> enter Blind Incorporated by the happy atmosphere and the give and 
>> take
>> that seems to be a part of daily activities there.  The aroma that 
>> seems
>> to constantly come
>> out of the kitchen is a big selling point, too.  Again, take a tour 
>> and
>> ask questions, and
>> make your decision based upon those questions.  Graduates of that 
>> program
>> tend to be successful, and that says something.
>>
>> The NFB has a philosophy that is a part of BLIND Incorporated, but
>> certainly there are and have been many students who were not NFB 
>> members.
>> Some have
>> joined and some have not.  It is our hope that you might consider 
>> joining
>> at some point, but it needs to be based on the examples we try to set 
>> and
>> what you
>> observe, and not on any absolute requirement.  While we always 
>> welcome
>> new
>> members, we really do want to see blind people graduate from BLIND
>> Incorporated
>> with the confidence they need to achieve what they want to achieve in
>> their lives.  As an organization, we can do a lot to help reinforce
>> confidence, but to be the
>> kind of member we need, it has to be a decision you make and not one 
>> that
>> you are pressured or required to make, and I think you would find 
>> that
>> you
>> are given the
>> opportunity to make up your own mind about us without being made to 
>> feel
>> uncomfortable.
>>
>> I hope we meet you in person down the road.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Steve Jacobson
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:13
>>>Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>>
>>
>>>> Dear Bern,
>>>> I'm not sure if it is okay to be talking about Blind Inc. on the
>>>> diabetes
>>>> list, so maybe if we continue this conversation you could write me 
>>>> off
>>>> list?
>>>> I should not have mentioned it and just stuck to the portion about 
>>>> a
>>>> diabetes class at the center.
>>>> Blind Inc. seems to be very thorough in training clients. However, 
>>>> I am
>>>> a
>>>> little worried because the policies seem to be quite strict and I 
>>>> am
>>>> not
>>>> sure how open staff are to someone who is not from the NFB. I am 
>>>> also
>>>> curious as to how flexible the staff members are. I hope to arrange 
>>>> a
>>>> tour
>>>> for sometime late this month or early next month. I live a few 
>>>> hours
>>>> from
>>>> Minneapolis, so I need to plan a trip with my friends who will be
>>>> driving.
>>>>
>>>> Chanelle
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of The Jacobs'
>>>> Family
>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:58 AM
>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Blind Inc....
>>>>
>>>> Good Morning Chanelle:
>>>>
>>>> There was a question here about BLIND     Inc.  Please rest assured
>>>> that
>>>> BLIND INC. is one of our training centers.  Can't get much better 
>>>> than
>>>> that
>>>> Honey.  I've personally known many of the staff there--seems like 
>>>> since
>>>> dirt!  The standards are impeccably high.  Believe me, you won't 
>>>> regret
>>>> attending there.  And, of course, we now have Diabetes 
>>>> Management/Care
>>>> training at all of our Centers.  With the growing diabetic 
>>>> population,
>>>> obviously comes the growing demand for diabetes management
>>>> education/training.
>>>>
>>>> Welcome back Miss Chanelle!!
>>>>
>>>> Bern
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: <diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:00 PM
>>>> Subject: Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 3
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Send Diabetes-talk mailing list submissions to
>>>>> diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>>> diabetes-talk-request at nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>>> diabetes-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more 
>>>>> specific
>>>>> than "Re: Contents of Diabetes-talk digest..."
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>>>
>>>>>   1. questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle Hill)
>>>>>   2. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>>>>>      (Paul & Paula Jordan)
>>>>>   3. National Federation of the Blind President to Deliver Keynote
>>>>>      Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium (Freeh, Jessica)
>>>>>   4. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Vincent 
>>>>> Chaney)
>>>>>   5. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (David 
>>>>> Anspach)
>>>>>   6. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Mike 
>>>>> Freeman)
>>>>>   7. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (K C)
>>>>>   8. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle 
>>>>> Hill)
>>>>>   9. Re: questions from a fairly new list subscriber (Chanelle 
>>>>> Hill)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 1
>>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 15:27:03 -0600
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <C62DFC3C1B5149B6A1F93EEA1E55263A at HILLC>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips,
>>>>> I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing
>>>>
>>>>> a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 2
>>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 17:54:22 -0500
>>>>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <00f101c99c52$fea83e60$fdc8a8c0 at PaulJordan>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>
>>>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>>>> experience
>>>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic who
>>>>> uses
>>>>> a
>>>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday myself, 
>>>>> but
>>>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>>>> software
>>>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to program 
>>>>> his
>>>>> food
>>>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It 
>>>>> amazes me
>>>>> how
>>>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of help 
>>>>> and
>>>>> interested people here.
>>>>>
>>>>> Paul
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>>> Hill
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips,
>>>>> I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing
>>>>
>>>>> a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>>>> .net
>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>>>> 03/03/09
>>>>> 07:25:00
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 3
>>>>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:58:49 -0600
>>>>> From: "Freeh, Jessica" <JFreeh at nfb.org> (by way of David Andrews
>>>>> <dandrews at visi.com>)
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] National Federation of the Blind 
>>>>> President to
>>>>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>>>> To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Message-ID: <auto-000088034933 at mailfront1.g2host.com>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> CONTACT:
>>>>>
>>>>> Chris Danielsen
>>>>>
>>>>> Director of Public Relations
>>>>>
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>
>>>>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>>>>>
>>>>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>>>>>
>>>>> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind President to
>>>>> Deliver Keynote Address at Notre Dame's Blindness Symposium
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Speech will Address Education and Civil Rights for All Americans
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Baltimore, Maryland (March 3, 2009): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of
>>>>> the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest
>>>>> organization of blind people in the United States, will give the
>>>>> keynote address at the Notre Dame Disability Studies Forum's
>>>>> blindness symposium.  The symposium will be held at the University 
>>>>> of
>>>>> Notre Dame on March 6, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.  The 
>>>>> Notre
>>>>> Dame Disability Studies Forum is hosting speakers from arts-based 
>>>>> and
>>>>> technology-based disciplines to discuss the culture and technology
>>>>> surrounding blindness and low vision.  The symposium will also
>>>>> feature a technology fair running concurrently with the conference
>>>>> and highlighting products that blind people can use.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "I am honored to give the keynote address at this influential
>>>>> symposium conducted by my alma mater.  With the increasing use of
>>>>> electronic textbooks, Web-based instruction, and other technology 
>>>>> in
>>>>> the classroom, it is critical that educators consider how all 
>>>>> aspects
>>>>> of the educational system can be made accessible to all students
>>>>> including the blind.  Only 10 percent of all blind children are
>>>>> currently learning to read and write using Braille.  Our 
>>>>> educational
>>>>> system is failing these students and this issue must be addressed
>>>>> immediately.  I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these 
>>>>> crucial
>>>>> subjects to this prestigious gathering."
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Attendees of the symposium will get to see firsthand a brand-new,
>>>>> highly affordable navigational aid called AdapTap that blind 
>>>>> swimmers
>>>>> can use to keep their bearings in a swimming pool.  The National
>>>>> Federation of the Blind awarded the project a 2008 Dr. Jacob 
>>>>> Bolotin
>>>>> Award for outstanding and innovative achievements in the blindness
>>>>> field.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Both the academic conference and the technology fair will be open 
>>>>> at
>>>>> no charge to the general public. For more information about the
>>>>> symposium, please e-mail
>>>>> <mailto:BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com>BlindnessSymposium at gmail.com.
>>>>> For more information on the National Federation of the Blind, 
>>>>> please
>>>>> visit <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ###
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> About the National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>
>>>>> With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the 
>>>>> Blind
>>>>> is the largest and most influential membership organization of 
>>>>> blind
>>>>> people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's 
>>>>> lives
>>>>> through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
>>>>> encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading
>>>>> force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
>>>>> blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of 
>>>>> the
>>>>> Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center 
>>>>> in
>>>>> the United States for the blind led by the blind.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 4
>>>>> Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:10:21 -0500
>>>>> From: Vincent Chaney <vgc732 at optonline.net>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <CBFDA2C57213463BACE67FB798C003A9 at Vincent>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle,
>>>>>
>>>>> Welcome to the list...
>>>>>
>>>>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu
>>>>> options.
>>>>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>>>>> "Squared"
>>>>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>>>>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on 
>>>>> this
>>>>> and
>>>>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The 
>>>>> Blog I
>>>>> also
>>>>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used
>>>>> with
>>>>> a
>>>>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to 
>>>>> contact
>>>>> one
>>>>> of
>>>>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice
>>>>> Test
>>>>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" 
>>>>> and
>>>>> just
>>>>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>>>>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>>>>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of
>>>>> Patient
>>>>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>>>>> Division
>>>>> of the NFBNJ.
>>>>>
>>>>> Vince
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips,
>>>>> I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing
>>>>
>>>>> a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>>>> nline.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 5
>>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 22:32:31 -0500
>>>>> From: "David Anspach" <danspach at tampabay.rr.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <CA74FC1DE42045DDB93B0221DE92B215 at SuperMaddox>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Chanelle,
>>>>> Welcome to the diabetes talk list. This list is full of great 
>>>>> people
>>>>> and I
>>>>> think you will learn a lot here.
>>>>> My name is David anspach and I live in largo Florida with my wife
>>>>> Tammy.
>>>>> We
>>>>> are both diabetics ad have been so for most of our lives, Tammy 
>>>>> for
>>>>> nearly
>>>>> 42 years and I for about 34 years. Tammy has been using a Minimed
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump since 2001. she has used several different models, none of 
>>>>> which
>>>>> were
>>>>> very accessible, of course. She is now using the Paradigm 722 pump
>>>>> with
>>>>> pretty good success. I saw how well she was able to control her
>>>>> diabetes
>>>>> through the use of an insulin pump and started using a Minimed
>>>>> Paradigm
>>>>> 712
>>>>> pump in 2004. I'm now also using the 722 because my insurance 
>>>>> company
>>>>> covered the upgrade and I figured why not go for it. I have had
>>>>> reasonable
>>>>> success using the pump as well.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have remained very frustrated with the fact that Minimed is yet 
>>>>> to
>>>>> begin
>>>>> working on an accessible insulin pump. Tammy and I both have 
>>>>> discussed
>>>>> the
>>>>> development of an accessible insulin pump with various Minimed 
>>>>> people
>>>>> over
>>>>> the past four or five years. We continue to get the same basic 
>>>>> answer
>>>>> of
>>>>> "it's been suggested many, many times, but Minimed has not started
>>>>> looking
>>>>> at ways to develop a pump that is accessible to the blind." 
>>>>> Basically,
>>>>> I
>>>>> was
>>>>> told just last week that it comes down to a matter of what sells 
>>>>> the
>>>>> most
>>>>> insulin pumps, making them accessible, or, adding other new
>>>>> technologies
>>>>> to
>>>>> help the masses. I fear that it will take a smaller company to
>>>>> actually
>>>>> develop an accessible insulin pump. In fact, it is my 
>>>>> understanding
>>>>> that
>>>>> the
>>>>> same people who developed the Prodigy Voice meter, DDI, are also
>>>>> looking
>>>>> into the feasibility of developing an accessible insulin pump. I 
>>>>> even
>>>>> mentioned this to the Minimed people I met with a few weeks ago 
>>>>> and
>>>>> they
>>>>> seemed to be somewhat interested in learning more.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think the best thing you can do as a blind pumper is to continue 
>>>>> to
>>>>> talk
>>>>> to Minimed about creating an accessible pump. You just need to be
>>>>> persistent
>>>>> and ask anyone and everyone you talk to at Minimed who can take 
>>>>> your
>>>>> request
>>>>> and actually submit it to the proper channels. According to the 
>>>>> sales
>>>>> rep
>>>>> I
>>>>> spoke with a few weeks ago, they have received  quite a lot of
>>>>> requests
>>>>> for
>>>>> accessible pumps, so, they are at least hearing our requests. In 
>>>>> the
>>>>> end,
>>>>> though, I think it will take a large number of blind diabetics to 
>>>>> get
>>>>> an
>>>>> accessible pump created. The manufacturers are certainly going to 
>>>>> put
>>>>> their
>>>>> research and development dollars into the technology that sells 
>>>>> the
>>>>> most
>>>>> pumps and benefits the largest number of diabetics out there. As 
>>>>> the
>>>>> population ages, blindness will be on the rise along with the rise 
>>>>> in
>>>>> the
>>>>> number of diabetics encountering some type of visual impairment.
>>>>>
>>>>> In the end, I think it's sad that money drives the types of 
>>>>> changes we
>>>>> now
>>>>> see in insulin pumps.  I know this is just the way it is, but 
>>>>> there
>>>>> are
>>>>> so
>>>>> many blind diabetics out there who either use a pump now, or could
>>>>> benefit
>>>>> from the increased  level you get through the use of a pump. I 
>>>>> know
>>>>> the
>>>>> pump
>>>>> isn't for everyone, but, for those who are interested in the 
>>>>> increased
>>>>> level
>>>>> of control it offers, I think it is a great option.
>>>>>
>>>>> Have a great week,
>>>>>
>>>>> Dave
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>>> Hill
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips,
>>>>> I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing
>>>>
>>>>> a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/danspach%40ta
>>>>> mpabay.rr.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 6
>>>>> Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 19:58:23 -0800
>>>>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <FEAB66C6E6C74607A652D32A6DEAB00B at owner96190708e>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle:
>>>>>
>>>>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know 
>>>>> some of
>>>>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know 
>>>>> what
>>>>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>>>>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can 
>>>>> read a
>>>>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent 
>>>>> issue.
>>>>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just 
>>>>> peruse
>>>>> the
>>>>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>>>>
>>>>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but
>>>>> don't
>>>>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of 
>>>>> persons
>>>>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>>>>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical
>>>>> expertise
>>>>> on this list.
>>>>>
>>>>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others 
>>>>> from
>>>>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, 
>>>>> the
>>>>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from 
>>>>> an
>>>>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem 
>>>>> that
>>>>> it
>>>>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as 
>>>>> simple
>>>>> as
>>>>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when 
>>>>> and
>>>>> in
>>>>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system,
>>>>> often
>>>>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically 
>>>>> displayed
>>>>> and
>>>>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>>>>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>>>>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, 
>>>>> the
>>>>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty 
>>>>> small
>>>>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a 
>>>>> good
>>>>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>>>>> we're
>>>>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>>>>
>>>>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is 
>>>>> like
>>>>> the
>>>>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg
>>>>> reading --
>>>>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>>>>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>>>>
>>>>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike Freeman, President
>>>>> Diabetes Action Network
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am
>>>>> a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips, I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix
>>>> .com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 7
>>>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:42:52 -0500
>>>>> From: "K C" <kcc86 at hotmail.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <COL0-DAV48DC6774DDB33DC1156E3BAAA70 at phx.gbl>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>>>> reply-type=original
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello, Chanelle, and everyone.  I don't have information on the 
>>>>> pump
>>>>> accessibility questions but it sounds like calling Home care 
>>>>> solutions
>>>>> is
>>>>> a
>>>>> great idea since I have a Prodigy voice meter.  smile
>>>>> I think I can help you with information about the Nfb centers. 
>>>>> Mike
>>>>> may
>>>>> consider that off topic beyond your Diabetes class question.  If 
>>>>> you'd
>>>>> like
>>>>> more general information you're welcome to email me off list and 
>>>>> I'll
>>>>> try
>>>>> to
>>>>> help you.  I went to the Colorado center for the blind in Denver.
>>>>> Take
>>>>> care.
>>>>> Kijuana
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Paul & Paula Jordan" <paujor at fuse.net>
>>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:54 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, welcome to the list.  I don't have a whole lot of personal
>>>>>> experience
>>>>>> with the pump, except that one of my sons is a type 1 diabetic 
>>>>>> who
>>>>>> uses a
>>>>>> pump, and believe me, its very impressive to me.
>>>>>> My doctor tells me that he thinks I'll go that way someday 
>>>>>> myself,
>>>>>> but
>>>>>> that's hopefully a long way off.  My son's pump and accompanying
>>>>>> software
>>>>>> seems to do some amazing things, including allowing him to 
>>>>>> program
>>>>>> his
>>>>>> food
>>>>>> choices, and coming back with insulin level adjustments.  It 
>>>>>> amazes
>>>>>> me
>>>>>> how
>>>>>> much info the thing contains, but, alas, it isn't accessible.
>>>>>> Keep raising your questions, because I think there's a lot of 
>>>>>> help
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> interested people here.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Paul
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle 
>>>>>> Hill
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>>>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>>> several
>>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>>> anyone
>>>>>> has
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>>> issues. I
>>>>>> am
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>>> insulin
>>>>>> pump
>>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>>> involved
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> new
>>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter 
>>>>>> needed to
>>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> fixed
>>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> Minimed
>>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a 
>>>>>> pump
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but 
>>>>>> no
>>>>>> one
>>>>>> has
>>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice
>>>>>> meter
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>>> strips,
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the 
>>>>>> strips
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>>> supposedly
>>>>>> like
>>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of 
>>>>>> this
>>>>>> new
>>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>>> accessible
>>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>>> centers
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>>> containing
>>>>>> a
>>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>>> Do
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you 
>>>>>> had
>>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/paujor%40fuse
>>>>>> .net
>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.4/1976 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 03/03/09
>>>>>> 07:25:00
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/kcc86%40hotma
>>>> il.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 8
>>>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:44:14 -0600
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <516E1A12D11A4ABB820E22B0602C84C0 at HILLC>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear Vince,
>>>>> Thanks for replying to my email. I am grateful for the many 
>>>>> responses
>>>>> I
>>>>> have
>>>>> received from the list. I am still using the 512 but would like to
>>>>> upgrade
>>>>> to the 522. How do you get your pump to deliver a square bolis? I 
>>>>> use
>>>>> the
>>>>> easy bolis feature with the beeps, but I would like to use the 
>>>>> other
>>>>> bolis
>>>>> options--especially since they give a person even more control. 
>>>>> Does
>>>>> the
>>>>> square wave bolis have to do with insulin being delivered over the
>>>>> course
>>>>> of
>>>>> a few hours? I am able to fill my pump on my own. I just have a
>>>>> sighted
>>>>> friend double check that there are no bubbles in my reservoirs. I 
>>>>> have
>>>>> been
>>>>> on the pump since 2004, and I went to a diabetes center in 2007 
>>>>> where
>>>>> the
>>>>> nurses were willing to teach me how to draw up insulin. Before 
>>>>> that, I
>>>>> thought filling reservoirs was impossible for a blind person.
>>>>> Thanks for checking on the Clever Check meter. The lady from 
>>>>> Homecare
>>>>> Solutions with whom I spoke sounded vague about it. Thanks for the
>>>>> information about Advanced Diabetic Solutions! I really need that 
>>>>> now
>>>>> since
>>>>> I haven't gotten anywhere with Homecare Solutions. If they have
>>>>> already
>>>>> shipped out the Clever Check today as they said they would, I will
>>>>> report
>>>>> to
>>>>> the list as to what it is like.
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vincent 
>>>>> Chaney
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:10 PM
>>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle,
>>>>>
>>>>> Welcome to the list...
>>>>>
>>>>> I too am a pumper, an insulin pump user. I am using the Medtronic
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> 712 but require my wife to fill it due to the inaccessible menu
>>>>> options.
>>>>> Once it is filled I work with the beeps to deliver the "Normal" or
>>>>> "Squared"
>>>>>
>>>>> bolis amounts as you probably do.
>>>>> Regarding the "Clever Check", I performed a "Google" search on 
>>>>> this
>>>>> and
>>>>> found no indication it included any accessibility feature. The 
>>>>> Blog I
>>>>> also
>>>>> looked at noted it worked with only one button which could be used
>>>>> with
>>>>> a
>>>>> talking machine but very unlikely. I would recommend you to 
>>>>> contact
>>>>> one
>>>>> of
>>>>> the many suppliers noted on this list who carry the "Prodigy Voice
>>>>> Test
>>>>> Strips". The company I work with is "Advanced Diabetic Solutions" 
>>>>> and
>>>>> just
>>>>> received new strips about 10 days ago. Their Web Site is:
>>>>> http://www.advanceddiabeticsolutions.net/
>>>>> Their phone number is 1-888-377-6382. Tina Rockwell, Director of
>>>>> Patient
>>>>> Services, is whom has helped me and the members from the Diabetes
>>>>> Division
>>>>> of the NFBNJ.
>>>>>
>>>>> Vince
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 4:27 PM
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips,
>>>>> I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing
>>>>
>>>>> a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/vgc732%40opto
>>>>> nline.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Diabetes-talk:
>>>>>
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/chanellemh%40
>>>>> gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 9
>>>>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:03:53 -0600
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Message-ID: <881C9EA144354F1BA00C4C14810A70E0 at HILLC>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear Mike,
>>>>> Thanks for replying to my message. I will check out the Braille
>>>>> Monitor. I
>>>>> subscribed to Voice of the Diabetic about a month ago and haven't
>>>>> received
>>>>> an issue yet. I opted to receive the publication via email.
>>>>> The CD I received from Blind Inc., seems to be a few years old 
>>>>> since
>>>>> some
>>>>> of
>>>>> the articles date back to 2004, 2001, and those reprinted from the
>>>>> 90's.
>>>>> I would like to get connected with diabetes educators who have had
>>>>> experience working with the blind.
>>>>> That would be great if Prodigy made a talking pump!
>>>>> Minimed pumps have software that allows one to make changes to 
>>>>> basal
>>>>> rates,
>>>>> the increment for easy bolis, time and date, and other items that 
>>>>> are
>>>>> set
>>>>> through the pump menus. It would be nice if one could also use the
>>>>> software
>>>>> to program a bolis that would be delivered as soon as the pump was
>>>>> disconnected from the computer. For example, I think that the pump 
>>>>> has
>>>>> bolis
>>>>> wizzard--a feature to calculate insulin needed for carbs eaten and
>>>>> high
>>>>> blood sugars. These calculations can easily be made manually, but 
>>>>> I
>>>>> think
>>>>> the pump also keeps track of active insulin.
>>>>> I will figure out who I could speak to at Minimed about this or 
>>>>> pump
>>>>> accessibility. I appreciate your efforts to advocate accessibility
>>>>> with
>>>>> the
>>>>> insulin pump companies.
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike 
>>>>> Freeman
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 PM
>>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle:
>>>>>
>>>>> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know 
>>>>> some of
>>>>> the personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know 
>>>>> what
>>>>> they're about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the
>>>>> "Publications" link and thence to "The Braile Monitor", you can 
>>>>> read a
>>>>> review and description of the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent 
>>>>> issue.
>>>>> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just 
>>>>> peruse
>>>>> the
>>>>> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>>>>>
>>>>> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but
>>>>> don't
>>>>> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of 
>>>>> persons
>>>>> there who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
>>>>> blindness-savvy CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical
>>>>> expertise
>>>>> on this list.
>>>>>
>>>>> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others 
>>>>> from
>>>>> the Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, 
>>>>> the
>>>>> situation isn't much different than that which you described from 
>>>>> an
>>>>> article several years ago. Although at first blush it would seem 
>>>>> that
>>>>> it
>>>>> would be easy to make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as 
>>>>> simple
>>>>> as
>>>>> one might suppose. One has to determine what must be spoken when 
>>>>> and
>>>>> in
>>>>> what form (for example, if one is using a pump with a CGMS system,
>>>>> often
>>>>> the information is graphically displayed, not numerically 
>>>>> displayed
>>>>> and
>>>>> one must figure out how to convey this verbally). WE have had some
>>>>> communication with one pump manufacturer which has showed a bit of
>>>>> interest. However, if truth be told, despite what we might think, 
>>>>> the
>>>>> blind (and yes, I mean the visually impaired also) are a pretty 
>>>>> small
>>>>> segment of the market so pump manufacturers have to be shown a 
>>>>> good
>>>>> reason for making the investment in access technology. AS I say, 
>>>>> we're
>>>>> working on it. I doubt anything is in the immediate offing.
>>>>>
>>>>> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is 
>>>>> like
>>>>> the
>>>>> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg
>>>>> reading --
>>>>> once -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I
>>>>> emphasize that I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>>>>>
>>>>> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike Freeman, President
>>>>> Diabetes Action Network
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
>>>>> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
>>>>> subscriber
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
>>>>> several
>>>>> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if 
>>>>> anyone
>>>>> has
>>>>> had
>>>>> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes 
>>>>> issues. I
>>>>> am
>>>>> a
>>>>> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512
>>>>> insulin
>>>>> pump
>>>>> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved 
>>>>> in
>>>>> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies 
>>>>> of
>>>>> the
>>>>> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become 
>>>>> involved in
>>>>> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use 
>>>>> the
>>>>> new
>>>>> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed 
>>>>> to
>>>>> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily 
>>>>> be
>>>>> fixed
>>>>> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep 
>>>>> from
>>>>> Minimed
>>>>> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump
>>>>> that
>>>>> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no 
>>>>> one
>>>>> has
>>>>> gotten back to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice 
>>>>> meter
>>>>> on
>>>>> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
>>>>> strips, I
>>>>> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips 
>>>>> for
>>>>> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is
>>>>> supposedly
>>>>> like
>>>>> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this 
>>>>> new
>>>>> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation
>>>>> centers
>>>>> in
>>>>> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
>>>>> containing a
>>>>> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was 
>>>>> mentioned.
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
>>>>> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Chanelle
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Diabetes-talk mailing list
>>>>> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:40:15 -0600
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list
> subscriber
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID: <898A720E2251441C91032A80B44A4FA9 at HILLC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Dear Mike,
> Thanks for the information! I forgot about Calorieking. I will check 
> out
> the
> rest of the resources.
>
> Chanelle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 4:16 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Chanelle:
>
> One of the best nutritional websites is http://www.calorieking.com; 
> it's
> a bit busy but quite accessible. Also, if you're into fast food as I
> admit I am at times, a bit of sluething from Google will yield carb
> counts for the usual temptations. Ultimately, though, a sighted reader
> is extremely useful.
>
> No, the KNFB Reader doesn't handle barcodes. That would require quite 
> a
> database.
>
> National Braile Press has an Atkins diet list of foods that has carb
> counts also and NFB used to sell an ADA exchange list. Hope Warshaw's
> guide to carb counting is available from RFB&D.
>
> HTH!
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:01 AM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
>
> Hello Dave,
> Thank you for explaining your process for using the bolis wizzard. I 
> see
> my
> diabetes educator in a few weeks so I will talk to her about it.
> For the past several years, I have been meaning to use the Paradigm 
> Pal
> Software. Now that I finally got the right cable a few weeks ago, I
> should
> try it. Unfortunately, the people atMinimed didn't know what I meant 
> at
> first. They sent me the meter to work with the Personal Care or 
> whatever
> it
> is called where people upload their pump readings online.
> I have memorized the button pushing sequence for setting a temporary
> basal
> rate, so if anyone needs the steps, please let me know. Of course, go
> through the process with someone sighted first (smile).
> I would definitely be interested in having the Paradigm Pal software
> made
> more accessible with Jaws. I have always wanted to learn Jaws 
> scripting.
> Maybe someday when I get around to it, I can help with the Paradigm 
> Pal
> Software (smile).
> Speaking of carbs, what ways have you or anyone on this list found to 
> be
> effective for reading nutrition labels or getting access to that
> information. I have sighted friends read labels for me, but it is easy
> to
> forget in keeping track of so many things. Since I am getting set up
> with
> Services for the Blind, I am hoping to get a portable scanner or
> something
> similar that would read barcodes. Does the K NFB reader do this? I 
> also
> know
> that there are websites that give nutritional information for certain
> foods,
> but I have forgotten what those are.
> I have been using my pump for five years, but I am feeling more 
> hopeful
> about using it more effectively since I have gotten responses to my
> questions on this list.
>
> Chanelle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Anspach
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:36 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Hello Chanelle,
> I have successfully used the bolus wizard on the Paradigm series of
> insulin
> pumps. It was much easier than I expected and requires just a few 
> things
> be
> set up in the pump itself first. Afterwards, it is just a matter of
> pressing
> the button furthest to the left followed by pressing the far right
> button,
> or activate, button. I haven't used this feature of my pump in quite a
> while, but am planning on getting back into the habit once an insulin
> pump
> trainer comes out to my home and helps me adjust my basal rates. From
> what I
> remember, these are the steps:
> 1. Press the button furthest to the left. I think this tells the pump
> you
> are ready to begin entering information into the bolus wizard.
> 2. Using the arrow keys, you enter the value of your blood sugar 
> reading
> that is over your target value. For example, my target value is 100. 
> If
> I
> check my blood sugar and I get a reading of 130, then I would press 
> the
> up
> arrow key 30 times.
> 3. You then press the far right, activate, button on your pump.
> 4. Using the arrow keys again, you enter the value of your carbs you 
> are
> about to eat. So for example, if you are going to eat 30 grams in 
> carbs,
> you
> would enter this value using the arrow keys. In my case, I chose to 
> set
> the
> up arrow to enter 1 gram per arrow press as it was easier and provided
> much
> more control than setting it to 5 grams per press. So, I would press 
> the
> up
> arrow 30 times to enter the carb value.
> 5. Finally, you press the activate button, I think, twice to tell the
> pump
> you are finished. The first press causes the pump to display the 
> number
> of
> units of insulin the pump has calculated you will need based on your
> blood
> sugar reading and the carbs you will be eating. The second press 
> causes
> the
> bolus wizard to begin administering the insulin.
>
> As I stated above, I'm not 100% sure my steps are accurate, but, I 
> think
> they are close. So, don't try this at home <smile>. In any event, you
> will
> need to have someone sighted give you a hand in the initial set up of
> the
> bolus wizard. You will need to set your target blood sugar value, the
> number
> of carbs each press of the up arrow key represents and I think that's
> it.
> The nice thing about using the bolus wizard is that it shows your 
> health
> care provider what your blood sugars have been running and your 
> average
> carb
> intake.
>
> Someone also mentioned the software that you can purchase that allows
> you to
> adjust various settings on your pump, including basal rates. I believe
> this
> software is called something like Paradigm Pal, but I'm not totally
> sure.
> When I first got my pump back in 2004,  I took a look at this 
> software.
> Unfortunately, it was written totally in Java and was basically
> inaccessible
> using a screen reader, such as JAWS. I tried working with their 
> software
> developers to get it to be more accessible, but, my efforts didn't pan
> out
> as I had a lot of trouble getting the Java run-time environment and
> access
> bridge set up correctly on my PC. Once I did, I lost their contact 
> info
> and
> sort of gave up. I have a newer copy of this software around somewhere
> that
> I received after getting my new 722 last spring. I have been looking 
> for
> it
> as I want to see if it is any better now than it was nearly 5 years 
> ago.
> Since I also work for Freedom Scientific, I may end up taking it into
> our
> development team and asking them to see what might be done on the JAWS
> side
> of things to help access the software. I think that in order to
> actually
> get changes made to JAWS, I will have to show project management that
> there
> is enough need for changes in JAWS. If you or anyone else, for that
> matter
> is interested, then please let me know. The more interest in the use 
> of
> this
> software by blind diabetics who use Minimed pumps, then the better the
> chances we will have in getting changes made. I also have a contact at
> Minimed that I am going to try and use to see if I can get back in 
> touch
> with their software development team. I truly think that if we cannot
> get an
> accessible pump, then having software that is accessible that allows 
> us
> to
> manage our pumps will be just about as good.
>
> Sorry for the long post, but, I am very passionate about making life 
> for
> blind pumpers  that much easier.
>
> Have a great Thursday,
>
> Dave
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
> Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 12:04 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Dear Mike,
> Thanks for replying to my message. I will check out the Braille 
> Monitor.
> I
> subscribed to Voice of the Diabetic about a month ago and haven't
> received
> an issue yet. I opted to receive the publication via email.
> The CD I received from Blind Inc., seems to be a few years old since
> some of
> the articles date back to 2004, 2001, and those reprinted from the 
> 90's.
> I would like to get connected with diabetes educators who have had
> experience working with the blind.
> That would be great if Prodigy made a talking pump!
> Minimed pumps have software that allows one to make changes to basal
> rates,
> the increment for easy bolis, time and date, and other items that are
> set
> through the pump menus. It would be nice if one could also use the
> software
> to program a bolis that would be delivered as soon as the pump was
> disconnected from the computer. For example, I think that the pump has
> bolis
> wizzard--a feature to calculate insulin needed for carbs eaten and 
> high
> blood sugars. These calculations can easily be made manually, but I
> think
> the pump also keeps track of active insulin.
> I will figure out who I could speak to at Minimed about this or pump
> accessibility. I appreciate your efforts to advocate accessibility 
> with
> the
> insulin pump companies.
>
> Chanelle
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list 
> subscriber
>
> Chanelle:
>
> With respect to BLIND, Inc., it's a great rehab center. I know some of
> the
> personnel who teach there and they're great folks and know what 
> they're
> about. If you go to http://www.nfb.org, thence to the "Publications"
> link
> and thence to "The Braille Monitor", you can read a review and
> description
> of
> the BLIND, Inc. program in a recent issue.
> Just do a search for "Blind, INC." and you'll find it or just peruse 
> the
> tables of contents for the past few issues.
>
> BLIND, Inc. had someone who specialized in diabetes management but 
> don't
> think there's one there now. However, there are a number of persons
> there
> who have diabetes and who can probably put you in touch with
> blindness-savvy
> CDEs. Additionally, there's a lot of practical expertise on this list.
>
> Insofar as pump accessibility is concerned, I and several others from
> the
> Diabetes Action Network are working on the problem. However, the
> situation
> isn't much different than that which you described from an article
> several
> years ago. Although at first blush it would seem that it would be easy
> to
> make an insulin pump talk, it isn't quite as simple as one might
> suppose.
> One has to determine what must be spoken when and in what form (for
> example,
> if one is using a pump with a CGMS system, often the information is
> graphically displayed, not numerically displayed and one must figure 
> out
> how
> to convey this verbally). WE have had some communication with one pump
> manufacturer which has showed a bit of interest. However, if truth be
> told,
> despite what we might think, the blind (and yes, I mean the visually
> impaired also) are a pretty small segment of the market so pump
> manufacturers have to be shown a good reason for making the investment
> in
> access technology. AS I say, we're working on it. I doubt anything is 
> in
> the
> immediate offing.
>
> AS to the Clevercheck, I've not seen one but suspect that it is like 
> the
> Prodigy Autocode or the Advocate in that it would speak a bg 
> reading --
> once
> -- but that all other functions would be inaccessible. But I emphasize
> that
> I'm going on a hunch, not on knowledge.
>
> We'll keep working on the pump problem, though!
>
> Mike Freeman, President
> Diabetes Action Network
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chanelle Hill" <chanellemh at gmail.com>
> To: <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 1:27 PM
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] questions from a fairly new list subscriber
>
>
> Dear List Members,
>
> I read an article about insulin pumps that someone from NFB wrote
> several
> years ago, and so I thought I would join this list to see if anyone 
> has
> had
> improved accessibility with the pump and for other diabetes issues. I 
> am
> a
> Type I diabetic, and I have been using the Minimed Paradigm 512 
> insulin
> pump
> and the Prodigy Voice meter. I know that NFB is heavily involved in
> advocacy, but what has been done to inform insulin pump companies of 
> the
> need for more accessible pumps? Is there any way to become involved in
> advocating for better accessibility? It would be wonderful to use the
> new
> Minimed Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, but the meter needed to
> calibrate the pump doesn't talk. It seems like that could easily be
> fixed
> since there are already talking glucometers. I spoke with a rep from
> Minimed
> about upgrading my pump and asked if Minimed was working on a pump 
> that
> would be more accessible. She thought that the company was, but no one
> has
> gotten back to me.
>
> It sounds like someone is having problems with the Prodigy Voice meter
> on
> this list? After calling and waiting a few weeks to get some more
> strips, I
> found out that Homecare Solutions is no longer carrying the strips for
> Prodigy Voice and that they are carrying a new meter that is 
> supposedly
> like
> the Prodigy called the Clever Check. Have any of you heard of this new
> meter? Hopefully it has all of the audible features and more 
> accessible
> software (that's almost too much to ask :-) ).
>
> Finally my last question. I am checking out state rehabilitation 
> centers
> in
> Minnesota-one of which is Blind Inc. On the CD that SSB sent me
> containing a
> BLIND cyber brochure, a class for diabetes management was mentioned. 
> Do
> you
> know if that is still taught? Apart from that, have any of you had
> experience with the training programs at Blind Inc.?
>
> Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
>
>
>
> Chanelle
>
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> mpabay.rr.com
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>
> End of Diabetes-talk Digest, Vol 20, Issue 5
> ********************************************


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