[Diabetes-Talk] Using Animas pumps

[Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter]

Tom and others,

I also write down directions for certain functions, particularly ones I
don't use frequently. It's nice to have a document I can refer to if I need,
especially in the beginning.

I agree that what is comfortable for some, is not for others. So you do
whatever you feel comfortable with. I will say that I set temp rates by
myself and have yet to have a problem doing so, but I do agree that it would
be better if every push of the button beeped, and better yet if the entire
darn thing just spoke, smile.

I am not comfortable setting basal rates on my own though. I technically
know how to do it, and even have directions writtet down, but I am much more
comfortable with having sighted assistance for this.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Tom Ley via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 11:41 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: TALey at ups.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Using Animas pumps

Jamie, 

I also use the Animas Vibe. However, I limit myself to using the audio bolus
feature for administering insulin since it is the only 100% accessible
manner to bolus when you cannot read the screen. I also use memorized key
press sequences to take my pump on and off suspend delivery, and, I
memorized the key sequences to prime the pump, which is required whenever
you change the tubing/infusion site, or when the pump demands it be primed.
If I wish to set a temporary basal rate, or perform an extended bolus, I
have to either do without, or rely on sighted assistance. Same for setting
permanent basal rates. I've never used a bolus wizard, instead, like
Bridgit, I rely on my own carb counting and math to determine boluses, and
this includes remembering the last time I took a bolus and how much it was
to take into consideration any "insulin on board" or "active insulin." 

Others memorize key press sequences to set temporary basal rates or to give
various kinds of boluses. I've never trusted doing this because since the
Animas pumps don't beep with every key press, I'm never sure if I've done
what I intended to do, and for me, when delivering insulin, that is beyond
my comfort zone. Others on this list happily and successfully perform these
pump functions without sight, but it is not what anyone would call
accessible. I've been using pumps since 1997 successfully as a totally blind
person, and not once have I had any negative medical incidents due to my use
of a pump as a blind person. 

Best of luck. You will find this list the best resource available for
working through your challenges with managing diabetes with vision loss. 

Tom Ley


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