[Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.

Fri Oct 26 16:44:54 UTC 2012

I have been on the insulin pump now since 2010 and I love it, the doctors tried to get me on it after my kidney transplant in 2005, but the insurance companies and medicare weren't working that great getting it for me.
Now that I have been on it, my sugars have been the best since I don't know when since I am a type 1 diabetic and have had it since I was a kid.
The pump isn't for everyone, it is a learning curve but can be done.
The other meter isn't from prodigy, it is called the Solo V2 which I use, I like it. Not happy with ADS right now, but I like the meter.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
SNG Certified - Accessible Travel Advocate!
Cheryl Echevarria, Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
2012 Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
Please vote for Echevarria Travel for Best Travel Agency of Long Island 2013, I have made it to the top 10.  You do not have to live on Long Island to vote, you can vote every day until December 12, 2012. Just lick the link and go to vote and search Travel Agent/Agency.Here is the link:  http://vote.longislandpress.com/engine/YourSubmission.aspx?contestid=71122

> From: bpollpeter at hotmail.com
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:55:20 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.
> 
> 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.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40
> hotmail.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Diabetes-talk mailing list
> Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Diabetes-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com