[Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Mon Feb 25 04:21:34 UTC 2013

Sure, and I'm just trying to offer a little reality to an enormous ego.

Poor thing, she thinks she's a writer.  I'll bet there's a support group for
that.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 10:09 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Let's all relax and enjoy the ride. We're all trying to assist one another.

Mike Freeman, List Moderator

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Robert Shelton
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 7:58 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Wow...  How did you manage to squeeze this self-serving treatise into a mere
1484 words?  I didn't count the number of "I"s as in first person
insufferable, but I'll bet it was about 20%.

So, what's wrong with this?  You've done great -- bully for you.  A whole
lot of us have done pretty well too, but then a whole lot of other blind
people have had challenges that you and I have never had to deal with.  

When I was young and foolish, I had this same arrogant view -- I'd made it,
so should everyone else.  Hell -- I wrote my own screen reader for my humble
little C-64 back in 1983.  If I can do it, then anyone can.

Not so fast.  I'll tell you a little story (although I'm sure by now you're
no longer listening and composing a rebuttal).  Do yourself a favor and
listen for a change.  It'll be good for you.

So, it was October 2001 -- just after 9/11, but that's not important here.
I'd been invited to the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR).
They were using some software we had developed.  One of my hosts asked if I
would give a short talk to the state school for the blind which happened to
be located near the NCTR.  "Sure" I said.  So, I walked into this
residential state school.  There were kids there from kindergarten to high
school.  I gave my spiel, talked a lot about how to do math and write code
without sight.  Yay for me.  So, after the official deal was done, there
were a bunch of high school age kids there and they wanted to ask more
questions.  Sure -- no problem.  I answered their questions, and they were
great questions.  Those kids had cobbled together old computer equipment and
antiquated versions of JAWS and were trying to teach themselves how to write
code.

So, as we were walking away, I happened to mention to the school counselor
that when those kids went to college, they needed to get in touch with our
co-op program.  NASA hires lots of co-ops, and they don't have any problem
taking kids with disabilities.  What the counselor said then changed my
life.

She said "I don't think college is an option for any of those kids."  Those
words hung in the air, and I was fucking furious.  

I'll cut this off here, but understand this.  You succeeded, and that's
wonderful.  So did I, but there are plenty of people out there right now who
are smarter than either of us who will spend their lives selling brooms or
running a food stand, not because they couldn't do something else, but
because they didn't get the same breaks as you or I.  

I've spent a whole lot of the last 12 years trying to pay a little something
back.  I'd humbly submit that paying it back, or forward, as the case may
be, is far more honorable than basking in the glow of accomplishments which
have more to do with luck than anything else.

--Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 8:54 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Oh boy, no one get their whitey-tightys in a bunch. Sorry for stirring the
pot. Are not multiple opinions allowed?

I can only speak from my personal experience. I understand we all have our
own experiences and views of the world. To suggest we all must live one way
and think one way, well... I've never been a fan of that concept.

I've only been blind for ten years. Some of you have been through so much
and struggled through so much so that when people like me lose vision, we
have less a struggle than those who came before. This is something we should
be grateful for.

So to speak to my personal experience, I have found blindness to be an
inconvenience that's annoying and frustrating at times, but nothing so big
as most think. Long before I had training in nonvisual skills or exposure to
any organizations of the blind, I found myself naturally adjusting and
adopting new ways in which to do things.

One of my first lessons, which happened before I even knew about cane
travel, was to move about cautiously especially when outside and having fun.
I understand for a child, this doesn't come as easy, but as a 22-year-old,
it seemed like common sense.

I would assume that if one doesn't at first take precautions, after an
incident, would not that teach one? Mistakes happen, accidents happen, but
blind or sighted, common sense usually warms us to be cautious especially if
accidents have happened before. Screw a cane or training, does not common
sense dictate we be careful and maybe consider ways in which to be safe?
Didn't realize this had to be taught.

When I lost my sight, I didn't have exposure to any group or organization or
even other blind people. I developed my own techniques to manage my
diabetes. I organized my clothes and personal affects so I didn't require
help to find what was what. I found ways to cook and bake. I had been fully
sighted, and within a year of losing my vision, I pretty much lost it all.
Common sense helped me through a lot before being introduced to training or
consumer organizations. I'm not that smart or special, so I have a hunch I'm
not the only person who found ways around blindness even if sight would have
been more convenient.

This isn't to say I didn't find life hard at times or didn't struggle with
my vision loss, but I seemed to have escaped the anger, denial and grieving
that so many others have experienced according to many I have encountered.
I'm not sure why this is. Maybe because my vision loss was caused by an
illness that almost killed me; or maybe because my mom just doesn't allow
dependency in her house' it could have been the million-in-one experiences
no child should have to face that may losing my sight cake; maybe I realized
I was stronger than I ever realized.
Whatever it was, I learned to turn my frustration into something different.
I refused to give-up. I channeled my sorrow into something productive and
creative. Just an average Jo here so pretty sure others are capable of so
much more.

Having finished university, lived on my own, worked, married another blind
person and now had a child all blind, no, for me personally, I have not
found blindness to be more than an inconvenience; bigger than a minor one at
times, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

Ross and I are both blind. We both agree that blindness has been a huge
inconvenience at times especially with two blind people living together, but
still, nothing big enough to make it out to be a huge issue. By the way,
Ross has been blind longer than me and didn't always have the greatest
attitude. So I'm not some batty, brainwashed nut ranting here, grin. When he
adjusted to the situation, he discovered he had been making a big stink for
no reason. From his own mouth, he will tell you that after training and
adopting a positive attitude, blindness truly was reduced to more of an
inconvenience than a huge barrier.

This is what drew me to the NFB to begin with. I found this entire
organization that believed what I had already discovered; that blindness
wasn't a huge obstacle making life less worth living than those with sight.
It just seemed like a good fit. This doesn't mean I agree with everything or
am on board with every aspect of the organization, but I do believe in its
core philosophy.

My biggest obstacle has been other peoples perspectives and ideas. I wasn't
always blind; I didn't expect to be blind. When I lost my sight, I didn't
stop being me. I have not become some new person. I have all the same
dreams, desires and goals. I have still pursued them. Some of society tries
to be a detractor; they want me to be a different person, but I'm not. This
has been the most difficult adjustment dealing with these attitudes.

I'm not saying my path hasn't had set-backs or disappointments, but yes, I
have found blindness, through my own individual journey, to just be an
inconvenience.

Any disability has its own obstacles. I'm not trying to say that disability
is a breeze. I have worked with people who have various disabilities, and I
learned so much. Many of them are not willing to accept a traditional view
of their disability though. I've been inspired by many to take on a new
concept of disability.

We are so trained to think of negatives when it comes to disability. We
automatically address our limitations once we become disabled. God forbid we
look at it as a challenge in which to learn new things, new perspectives.
And who places these limitations? So many people have found, and are
finding, ways around their disability making limitation a rather relative
word. Perhaps instead of looking at things in a negative manner, viewing
what we can't do, maybe we need to consider how we can do it. Are there
tools, methods, can we create our own? How can we really say something can't
be done until it has been tried?

I'm not typically an idealist who believes in rainbows and puppy dogs. I
tend to be pretty cynical and take a rather sardonic view of the world and
the people who inhabit it. Yet, I can't ignore my experience and the stories
I hear from others. Perhaps there's more middle ground than we think.

I'm not saying it's easy or even convenient all the time, but what's so
wrong with fostering a new concept here? Forgive me for challenging our
preconceived notions and trying to reconstruct a million years of one way of
thinking. We may not always have the advantage or the appropriate tools
readily available, but common sense does go a long way. Life isn't always
easy when blind, but my experience thus far has only proved it to be a
matter of an inconvenience than anything larger. And again, I also
understand some of this is due to those who came before.

Blindness is challenging, but is it really blindness that is so challenging,
or is it society's refusal to get on board with the concept that life is
livable as a blind person? I find my biggest challenges come when
accommodations are not readily available or a negative mindset causes me
stress. If people would understand that with some accommodations we can live
active, productive lives, blindness would be way less challenging. Imagine a
world where Braille and other reading formats were 100% accessible and
available everywhere, all the time.
Imagine a world where employers didn't consider your blindness as a point
against you. Imagine a world where full accessibility were a part of daily
life for everything. Sorry for turning into John Lennon, but I'm just making
a point. No life, isn't like this, and maybe it won't ever be, but can't we
try? Is it wrong to try to fight for some sense of justice? My over-all
point though, is that blindness itself doesn't seem to be the biggest
obstacle but how we think about blindness.

I also 100% believe the key to unlock all this is good training. Without the
tools and methods, nonvisual and otherwise, we don't stand a chance.
It's not the easiest thing, but maybe our adjustment needs to be at how we
look at the world more than adjusting to a set of limitations. I'm not
saying limitations don't exist at all, but I do think we are capable of much
more than many of us think. Sometimes the truth of reality turns out to be a
mere perception. Until we challenge those perceptions, we can't say with
certainty it can't be done. Training is what allows us to challenge these
perceptions.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
limestone lady
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 1:49 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

Having grown up blind, I have a problem with people who take the attitude
that blindness is a minor inconvenience, and not a disability.
To me, that's either a head in the sand attitude, or shame. Blindness is no
more of an inconvenience then is beeing black in the segrigated south, or
having to constantly go out of your way to find something as necessary as a
bathroom, because you're in a wheelchair.
Well, maybe the two of us just took the lid off of a boiling pot, but in
today's world, this isn't said often enough.
I'm sure
I could think of more to say, but I'll leave it at that.
Linda.

Original message:
> I'm a little reluctant to reply to this thread, but let's just put it 
> this way.  Some of us grew up in a time when common sense safety was 
> not practiced.  My worst "bump" was due to a P.E> coach insisting that

> I run cross countries (nothing wrong with that) without any guidance 
> from someone who could see (a whole lot wrong with that).  In 1962 in 
> a little school district in W. Texas, they had no idea how to deal 
> with a kid who just wanted an education better than the "broom 
> academy" which was the Texas School for the Blind in those days.  So, 
> I ran those cross countries, but one day I was a bit late getting out 
> the door and couldn't catch up to the rest of the crowd.  So I 
> wandered off the track and blew out my front teeth and a good chunk of

> my brain on a baseball backstop I ran into at full speed.

> So, while I fully support NFB's position that blindness is no excuse, 
> I humbly submit that there are real world circumstances which put 
> blind folks in positions which compromise our bodies.  Concussions are

> a real risk, and we need to be aware of that.

> So, end of sermon.  Everybody have a great evening and weekend.

> --Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Veronica Elsea
> Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 5:24 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

> Ah, sometimes there's a head smack that is nothing more than being 
> blind and that's just the way it is. My best one was when I was out 
> once using my cane. I smacked my head really hard on a corner of a 
> sign that stuck out. No way I could have found that one with the cane.

> And by the way, you know what the sign said? No kidding! It said, stop

> ahead! But seriously I'm finding that as I'm getting older, the old 
> sound location just isn't what it was when I was 20. So sometimes it 
> is easier to think I'm clear of something only to discover that that 
> half opened door or whatever was just waiting for me! And I've not 
> seen any affect on my BG numbers from a short-term pain incident, but 
> boy I have seen it from something that was more prolonged. So, have 
> fun everyone and stay ahead of that diabetes! Hahahaha!

> 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 Sandi Ryan
> Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 2:20 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

> I've been blind all my life--totally blind.  When I was a kid, I hit 
> my head

> all the time!  It's a good thing kids are resilient!  But as I grew 
> older, I

> learned to slow down just a touch, pay attention, and protect my head 
> when I

> could.  I agree that hitting our heads isn't a blind thing.  It's more

> a lack of attention to our environment, I think.

> Sandi

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 2:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

> Ummm... I don't find that I hit my head more frequently now that I'm 
> blind. I mean, everyone has an accident every-now-and-then, and 
> certainly the lack of sight has put many of us in an annoying 
> situation, but I still don't think blindness is truly the cause if we 
> are careful and taking precautions like caning properly, or at home, 
> keeping a hand in front of you or something while moving around.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Robert Shelton
> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 9:20 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

> Dar.  Are you sure you're OK?  I've banged the old coconut more times 
> than I can remember, and some of those were undiagnosed concussions.
> Here's a link. 
> http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/concussion/DS00320/DSECTION=symptoms
> There is nothing I hate any more than banging my head, and that is 
> just part of being a blind person.  I try to be a lot more careful 
> now.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of d m gina
> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 8:29 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

> No what upset me is the wall is still standing. loll.
> I am not worried about it.
> Was just asking a question.

> Original message:
>> I think it would take a bigger hit than this to affect glucose 
>> levels.

>> Unless the bump is causing you undue stress, you probably have 
>> nothing

>> to worry about. Stress over health and health affecting us internally

>> is usually what will affect BG's and not bumps and bruises.

>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of d m gina
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 7:40 PM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

>> Ha
>> take good care of yourself?
>> Well now, I don't know if the sugars went up or down when I hit the 
>> corner of a wall with my forehead. it hurt so bad even the dog cried.
>> He didn't know what to do.
>> I sure have a goose over that one just above the eye.
>> Has anyone ever taken their sugar after a bump like that?
>> I know it has happened to all of us from time to time.
>> Good heavens.

>> Original message:
>>> Wow! A good time for all of us to stop and appreciate the people and

>>> things we have. And of course, don't forget to take good care of 
>>> yourself during this time too. That's the diabetes connection here.
>>> <hug.> 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 Bernadette Jacobs
>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 6:38 AM
>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

>>> Thanks for your condolences Veronica!  I'm so glad the worst is all 
>>> behind us now.  Bill has truly greatly improved since the radiation 
>>> was finished.  He's got a little way to go, but he'll get there 
>>> soon, I hope.  Doc seems to believe he'll have full recovery in six 
>>> months or so, which would put it about Juneish.  We're hoping he'll 
>>> be up to our annual trip back to WI in August.  But, if he's not...
>>> Oh well... I'm just glad to have him back, if you know what I mean.

>>> Bern

>>> On 2/19/13, Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com> wrote:
>>>> Yeah, most of the time I really love my iPhone, except for those
>>> occasional
>>>> moments when I want to toss the thing in the bay. <grin.> But given

>>>> my previous experiences with Prismo, man I'd hate to mess with that

>>>> app every time I wanted to read a number from a meter. I did have 
>>>> some success getting the KNFB reader on my Nokia phone to read the 
>>>> Animas Ping. But to make it
>>> a
>>>> reasonable process, one would really need to build a stand that
> would

>>>> line things up just perfectly. The other issue is that with many of

>>>> these apps, they can get pretty fussy about the light being just 
>>>> right. But this week, I started using a mobile credit card reader
> for

>>>> my business on my phone. So come FDA and companies! Hand over tha 
>>>> pump remote app!
>>> Now!
>>>> <laughing!>
>>>> Thanks everyone for these great discussions. And just for the
> record,

>>>> I'm not perfect either! Hahahaha! All of us are doing the best we
> can

>>>> with
>>> what
>>>> we've got. Sorry about that scare, Bern. Oh I just can't imagine 
>>>> the
>>> horror
>>>> of a night like that myself. Hugs to everyone!

>>>> 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: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 7:47 AM
>>>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

>>>> My hubby and I just upgraded to IPhones, and we really like them.
>> Truth
>>>> be told, I don't use half of what one can with it, but it is nice
>> just
>>>> the same, and it's pretty much fully accessible now. So I can do
>> pretty
>>>> much whatever my sighted friends and family do.

>>>> Bridgit

>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>>>> Of Bernadette Jacobs
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:01 AM
>>>> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
>>>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pumps

>>>> 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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>>>>> 40
>>>>> hotmail.com

>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> Diabetes-talk:

>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/veronica%4
>> 0
>>>>> la
>>>>> urel
>>>>> creekmusic.com

>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>> n
>>>>> ix
>>>>> .com

>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bernienfb7
>> 5
>>>>> %40gmail.com

>>>> _______________________________________________
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>> urel
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> for
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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/bernienfb75
> %4
>> 0gma
>>> il.com

>>> _______________________________________________
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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/veronica%40
> la
>> urel
>>> creekmusic.com

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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org/dmgina%40sa
> mo
>> bile.net

>> --
>> --Dar
>> skype: dmgina23
>>   FB: dmgina
>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>> every saint has a past
>> every sinner has a future

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> mo
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> --
> --Dar
> skype: dmgina23
>   FB: dmgina
> www.twitter.com/dmgina
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future

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