[Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Tue Feb 19 15:01:01 UTC 2013

Hi Bridgit!!!

I do hope you can forgive me for steeling your phraseology here!!
"Funny, look at how many blind people use this fundamentally, visually
orientated device, grin."  They not only use it, but it is widely
recommended and praised for being the most widely used and most
accessible phone out there by the blind themselves.  And, those blind
folks who don't have one, (including me), are salivating over
it--GOTTA HAVE IT!!!  And, I will!!  Come June when I'm up for my
upgrade!!!  Good thing I don't have to worry about BG's salivating!!!
LOL!!!

Bern

On 2/17/13, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>
>
> Watch the video as The Guide Dog Glee Club sings "Rehab!" Yes! Yes! Yes!
> http://youtu.be/JvakJ5lk6Us Then find more music from Veronica Elsea and
> The Guide Dog Glee Club at: http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>                 Veronica Elsea, Owner
> Laurel Creek Music Designs
> Santa Cruz, California
> Phone: 831-429-6407
>
>
> -----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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