[Diabetes-talk] Help in getting enough blood for testing blood glucose

Fri Oct 26 22:43:51 UTC 2012

Dear Jerry,

I think this would be a great product!  Let us know when it is available.  I 
have several friends who, while using the deepest puncture on their lancing 
devise still have problems getting enough blood.

Warmly, Joy

----- 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 11:25 AM
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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>>
>>
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>
>
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