[Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.

Fri Oct 26 20:34:51 UTC 2012

I have been poking myself for over 30 years, it gets easier.

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> From: sjryan2 at gmail.com
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:26:18 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.
> 
> I'd sure be interested in that product.  I've been poking myself for two 
> years now, and it still seems pretty much a miracle when I hit the strip 
> right the first time.  And I do so hate poking myself more than I have to!
> 
> Sandi
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jerry Munden" <JerryMunden at carolina.rr.com>
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 26, 2012 1:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Accessible insulin pumps.
> 
> 
> > 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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> >> hotmail.com
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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> 
> 
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