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

Fri Oct 26 23:28:25 UTC 2012

Thanks Joy,

I will keep you updated.

Jerry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joy Stigile" <joystigile at gmail.com>
To: "Diabetes Talk for the Blind" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2012 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Help in getting enough blood for testing 
bloodglucose

> 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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>>> hotmail.com
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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