[Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Mon Feb 18 02:39:06 UTC 2013

Yeah, I did a presentation on the IPhone when it first came out. Apple
initially refused to make it accessible stating it was, "Fundamentally a
visually orientated product," and essentially visually impaired people
had no reason to want such a device. Funny, look at how many blind
people use this fundamentally, visually orientated device, grin.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 4:33 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Bridgit:

The reason Apple introduced VoiceOver (ask Dr. Maurer if you doubt me)
was that it was made pretty clear that Apple would no longer be able to
market to schools in Massachusetts unless they implemented
accessibility. Since Macs in schools are a cash cow, Apple sort of woke
up PDQ and began to pay attention to what we (NFB) were saying. Before
that, it was like punching a pillow -- plenty of good talk but no
action.

In other words, the market rules all.

Mike Freeman

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 2:22 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Agree. And I'm already crying about the loss of my Cosmo, sigh.

Why can't the IPhone voice-over be a template for other companies
including pumps? I mean, obviously they can't use the Apple voice-over
at least without paying a hefty price, but I'm sure some programmer can
figure out a similar feature to be placed on a pump.

And like I said, it can be a feature you turn on and off so no special,
separate pump is necessary. It an be a regular pump anyone can use with
the option to turn on a voice-over like the IPhone and other Apple
products.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Veronica Elsea
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 3:39 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Kelly, I too am totally blind and am currently using a Cozmo. My
warranty is just about to run out as well. Ummm, a bit of quivering
going on here on the west coast! If I were sighted, I'd go for the
T-slim, without a doubt because it actually does have many of the
features my Cozmo has, like being able to set temporary basal rates up
to 72 hours. Yep! Doing that right now to accommodate a short stint with
Prednisone. You are right that the Accuchek Spirit has the beeps when
something happens, the most audible feedback. Problem is that we don't
have access to the bells and whistles that modern pumps have. Everything
like storing insulin to carb ratios, and the things that today's smart
pumps figure out for us used to reside on a PDA which isn't accessible
to us. Now they do have a remote, but the one I looked at a couple of
years ago didn't work because everything was wizards. And for me, the 20
questions approach to just munching a scone and coffee just doesn't cut
it, not to mention isn't accessible anyway. At this moment I definitely
feel like I'm going to give up something when I change pumps and it has
the feel of not getting much extra in terms of things happening
automatically. That was okay back in 1991 because that's how it was for
everyone else too. But over these next two months, I'm going to revisit
all the pumps, yes, even the touch-screen T-slim, just to see what it is
like. 
And of course, what we're running into with things like iPhone
connections is that any software has to be approved by the FDA and even
now there is software that's been sitting on a shelf somewhere for years
because they can't get through the backlog. And liability is not our
friend here. Nobody wants to take on the possibility of being sued
because their app read something wrong. It's a real shame in my personal
opinion. Having said all of that, I do wish the Accuchek Spirit were as
small and light-weight as the others. But I sure do intend to set up
sessions with all of the different reps, likely shedding some tears over
the loss of my Cozmo, but ultimately arriving at some sort of solution
that works for me. I'll be happy to share my experiences with all of you
along the way. 
And I haven't heard of anything coming from J and J either. But hey, let
the snooping begin. These companies all have offices out here so no harm
in trying! Stay tuned!

Veronica

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-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 12:56 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Kelly,

I'm totally blind and use a Cosmo, but this brand is no longer
available. I've played with the MedTronic and Animas Ping, and both are
fairly simple to use. No pump on the market currrently will beep for
every single function like the Cosmo, which is one of the reasons I love
it, but I have found the Animas to be the most similar to my Cosmo and
plan to use this once my warrantee is up, which is now.

My advice is to get your hands on any pump your endo has available and
play around with it.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Kelly Thornbury
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 2:06 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

I was on a pump back in the mid/late 90s when you could still buy
pre-filled cartridges, and it was sight loss and blindness that sent me
back to the pens. 

So, it looks like there are several pump users here, and I'm curious as
to the models you use, and your vision level if you choose to share as
I'm now shopping for a new pump. 

So far, in talking to company reps, the Accu-Trend Spirit seems to be
the most "accessible," as it is one of the few pumps I've found where
every time you enter a menu the selector starts at the top of the menu.
It also has the beeps and vibrations as you navigate menus and make
selections. 

I looked at another, which I've forgotten the name of, which
automatically primes and inserts the needle, and the "unit" is
controlled entirely by a remote. I asked their tech support about the
possibility of a smartphone app to program and control the unit, but
never heard anything back. 

Then, my doctor has been talking about a Johnson and Johnson pump
supposedly up for FDA evaluation with speech capabilities. My doctor has
seen pictures of the pump, but I lack the credentials to find any
information on it or it's progress. I know J&J was recently in trouble
with quality control, but I'm betting that now that the FDA has come
down on them their quality control will be significantly
improved...hopefully. 

So, any ideas on pumps and accessible features would be appreciated. 

Thanks,
Kelly

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