[Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.

[Jerry Munden]

Hello NFB DAN Members:

I saw your email about accessible insulin pumps and glucose meters and I 
wanted to ask a question.  My name is Jerry Munden and I had the privilege 
of working with the top NFB accessibility experts and Prodigy several years 
ago to develop the Prodigy Voice meter which received the NFB + AFB Access 
Awards.  I am no longer working with Prodigy but I have recently received a 
patent pending on a new product I developed to help a blind person apply 
blood to the test strip quickly, easily, and consistently.   Does a product 
like this, selling for $10 or $12 sound like something that would be helpful 
and you would use?  I have not produced it yet so this is not a sales 
pitch - I just want your feedback on accessible products.

I am working on several blind accessibilty projects and as the recipient of 
the 2011 NFB Bolotin Award I appreciate your feedback as I seek to help 
increase independence for people that live with blindness.

Thank you,

Jerry Munden

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2012 11:55 AM
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.
>
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