[Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Linda,

Welcome.

First, Prodigy makes a fully accessible meter that allows you to
independently test, repeat if you didn't hear it, set all the settings
and peruse past glucose records. There's the Prodigy Voice, which is the
better one, and another Prodigy meter that talks as well, but I do not
find it as blind-friendly even though it's been made with blind people
in mind.

As for accessible insulin pumps... I've been on a pump for almost ten
years, and I love it. However, there's no fully accessible pump. For
years, companies have teased us with potential accessible pumps, but as
of yet, it's still a pipe-dream. At best, you use a pump with audio
features, not talking, but beep sounds, that allow you to navigate
menues. Here's how I use mine, and keep in mind that I'm totally blind:

Each time I press a button, there is a beep. This lets me know I have
indeed pressed the button. I have either memorized certain menus or I
follow written directions to access the proper menus. I simply count,
and it isn't as tedious as it sounds. My particular pump, which
unfortunately is no longer manufactured, has four buttons: left, right
and up, down. There's also a bolus button on the side of my pump which I
use for meals.

This probably doesn't make much sense in written form. Pumps are not for
everyone, and some doubt the ability to function a pump that's not fully
accessible in terms of a talking pump, but from my personal experience,
I have had the best control of glucose levels since using a pump, and
I've never had problems with the pump due to my own inability to
function it.

Things I have sighted people help with are filling the cartridges, which
can be done when blind, and some people do including myself when
necessary, I just prefer sighted help for this. I also need help setting
my basal rates, which are the rates set up throughout the day delivered
hourly, or however my doctor and I establish them. During my recent
pregnancy, I had various rates set throughout the day to accommodate for
my increasing glucose levels due to the pregnancy. Setting the basal
rates is a bit tedious without sighted help. Beyond these two functions
though, I do everything else on my own.

Two pumps I have played with that are good are the Medtronic and the
Animas. There are other pumps on the market, but since I haven't had the
opportunity to play with any of them, I can't speak to their
accessibility or general functioning.

Sorry if none of this makes sense. I've been up with a spitty baby for a
few hours now and not quite awake, grin! There are others on the list
who may be able to better answer your question.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan


-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of limestone lady
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2012 9:51 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.


My name is Linda, and I live in Canada, and hope to find some other 
canadians here.
A friend of mine told me about this list, and that I might be able to 
find answers to my questions here.
the subject line says it all I guess. I'm looking for info about blind 
friendly insulin pumps, which can be had in Canada.
I may not have to go that route, but if I do, I want to be armed with 
as much information as I can get.
I know that a few years ago, there was a review of a talking pump in 
access world, but I guess it was too buggy, and must have been pulled 
from the market.
Sure hope to get info here, and maybe, info about talking glucometers 
available in Canada. I have one but it isn't completely accessible.
Linda.

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