[Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

Thu Jan 23 00:51:01 UTC 2014

I agree, Bridget.  It would be handy to have at least the Diabetes Action
Network working on putting a face to the problem.  I know what the
manufacturers think, and all their excuses for not making technology
accessible.  I also know we're a minority.  But there are people out there
who care that everyone has access to health care, and I think we could act
as a collective and accomplish something.  

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:58 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

But what also are we doing about it? I mean, as far as I know, there's no
real initiative, no organized group of us going out there and giving a voice
to this problem. I'm not so naïve to think that if we act more as a
collective on this issue medical devices, including pumps, will magically be
developed with accessibility in mind, but it puts a face and a voice to the
issue. I understand this is not the most important issue blind people face,
so groups like the NFB don't take it up as an individual cause or action,
but when we face similar issues, often task forces are developed, or we
connect with other organizations to create a louder voice. Braille,
websites, education, employment, other types of technology, the Federation
is pretty good about taking action and as a collective, we present our case
to the group or company in question. I'm not saying this need become a a
Federation cause the entire organization acts upon, but right now,
especially in terms of accessible pumps, it seems like individuals are
taking up the torch and we are not working as a collective in any shape or
form. I don't know the answers or even how to make this suggestion a
reality, but if we had more of a collective voice showing up to medical
conferences, visiting with companies and the medical community, doing it on
a somewhat larger scale than we currently are, perhaps we will at least be
listened too. When we do this as a single person, it doesn't make very big
ripples in the pond, but if we had more manpower behind us, maybe a bigger
splash will be noticed. Just talking, or writing rather, out loud, grin.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 11:59 AM
To: 'Everett Gavel'; 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

Hi, Everett.

I'm afraid the likelihood is damned near nil. You may remember that Prodigy
was supposedly working on an accessible insulin pump a few years ago but,
for all practical purposes, dropped the project. I suspect the reason was
very simple: the development process plus the cost of getting a pump FDA
510(k) certified so that it could be marketed/sold in the U.s. was too great
for the number of accessible pumps that might be sold.

Moreover, there is in prototype already such a device -- the Pump-mate,
developed by James Kubel of Access Solutions (we gave him a Bolotin award
last year). Take a look at http://www.pump-mate.com to read about it. At one
time, Medtronics engineers were working with him to perfect the device but
said engineers are no longer working for Medtronics and it won't give Mr.
Kubel the time of day anymore. I suspect the reason is exactly the same --
too costly to develop and get a system certified for the revenue that would
be generated.

I realize that no one wants to hear/read this but I think we should confront
reality head-on: this is part of what it means to be a minority (remember,
we've said from the days of Kenneth Jernigan onward that the blind are a
minority).

I wish things would change but there's no easy fix.

Mike Freeman

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Everett Gavel
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 9:19 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] What About Prodigy Working with Insulin Pumps?

Hi Mike, and all,

I've signed on recently for a Medtronic pump, though the actual name escapes
me as i write this. Sorry about that. However, despite the beeps and bops it
makes audibly, it's not, of course, actually accessible as we know
accessibility. 

It comes with it's own glucose meter, and my question (if not more a
suggestion to the industry) is, what is the likelihood of Prodigy, which
makes an accessible, talking glucose meter (which I absolutely love),
working with pump makers to incorporate their prodigy meter to work with
pumps instead of these inaccessible models now being used? 

Just an idea to throw out there, I guess. 

Strive On!
Everett

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