[Diabetes-Talk] 630g update

Sat Oct 6 02:21:27 UTC 2018

Now I'll have to have a snoop. I think the Paradigm rebel is a different series but I could be wrong. But that's what the rep told me. I was also tole, last March, oh we're working on it. If they were really thinking of us, they wouldn't have broken it in the first place. I too was told there was nothing new that we could unlock. There certainly wasn't anything on the Medtronic table I could unlock. So Amy, I'll be curious as to what you actually get. 
If any of this is true, it won't be enough to make me change, but it will be good that there are some options because I know the Omnipod isn't for everyone. 
But I'll close with a little kind of cool moment. This is not a brag because well, I had nothing to do with this. <grin> But it was a true joy for me, just plain old fun. Today Peter and I were out wandering around at one of those outdoor malls, including visiting an Apple Store. We found a nice restaurant for lunch. Once I'd figured out what I was going to have, I started entering my current BG reading and the amount of carbs into the Omnipod remote. While I was doing this, Peter said something and I got myself good and distracted. I was able to get out the Seeing AI app and read my pump screen, catching myself and continuing along with the process, not having to wait for the pump to time out so I could start over. Then I went on to read what the insulin delivery was going to be. When I have one of those moments like this, it's just a tiny hint of how much fun a truly accessible pump would be. I don't know; it just made me feel so, well, in charge! <grin> That glance, however fleeting at what it can be like for everyone else. It was a ridiculous amount of hard work to get to this place but I am really happy. Just don't ask about tape. Hahahahaha! And there's still plenty of occasional drama. But today, yay!
Thanks for letting me share this.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
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 Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2018 5:01 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Eileen Scrivani
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] 630g update

Jamie,

Keep in mind it could have just been a mis-read off by the pump trainer. I will call them tomorrow and try to find out the exact number & if there is in fact a 723. It is though a Paradigm Revel.

Later,

Eileen

From: Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Friday, October 5, 2018 7:23 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind 
Cc: Jamie Gurganus 
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] 630g update

Eileen,

Honestly, I did not know they had a 723 series. I was just showing the 630 and 730. I am getting the 530 G, which is the nice, small pump that has the tactile buttons on it. I did not like the size of the 630 or 730. Like you said, they are large and heavy.

   Jamie

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 5, 2018, at 5:49 PM, Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Jamie,
> 
> You have me wondering now. When the pump trainer read off my serial number she said the type & model of the pump, 723. However, you are right, I believe my original pump model was a Revel 523. I will call Medtronics to confirm the exact model they have on file. And, all I can tell you is what I have right now is an exact duplicate with the same buttons that are tactile and completely accessible. She did show me the newer pump and have to say I wasn’t crazy about the size – it seemed wider, heavier/bulkier not as sleek as the paradigm.  And the arrows on it just weren’t very well differentiated.
> 
> I need to get back to you on my model number because I know what she said.
> 
> Eileen
> 
> From: Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk 
> Sent: Friday, October 5, 2018 6:08 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind 
> Cc: Jamie Gurganus 
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] 630g update
> 
> I didn’t think the 700 series was accessible either. How are you able to get past the unlock screen on it? I thought it was pretty much identical to the 630 G. I am getting the 530 G sent to me this week, since they agreed to let totally blind diabetics have the mostly accessible 530 G for now. The warrantee will not be for the entire four years, but hopefully something more accessible will come along between now and then. I had to do something, since my animus pump was not going to be supported nor would I have access to supplies in a few months from now.
> 
>    Jamie
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Oct 5, 2018, at 4:14 PM, Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Amy,
>> 
>> While I’m sorry they don’t have a more updated pump for us, I’m glad to hear that they at minimum got you a working 700 series. Two weeks ago, I got a replacement Paradigm Revel 723 which is exactly what my original pump was. My pump, both the original, & so far as I know, the replacement too, will be out of warrantee in January 2019. My original pump had developed a crack along the top rim where the reservoir screwed in. It had been cracking for a while but I had just been dealing with it. When I heard they would discontinue the Paradigm come October 26 of this year, I decided to call and find out what they could do for me because I wanted to be able to keep my current pump going for as long as possible in working condition.
>> 
>> Anyway, I now have the replacement and it works just as the original one did. When I asked the pump trainer who helped me set up my basel rates about the lack of accessibility and the discontinuation of the only 2 pump options a blind person could use she also told me that Medtronics is aware of the problem, and that they are giving it “high” priority, and they hope to have a solution by January. I still don’t believe the word they are putting out, but I will wait and see what happens come January. In fact I am still waiting to hear on what the policy is on my existing, replacement pump, regarding coverage on my needed supplies. This is all such a pain in the but!
>> 
>> Keeping my fingers crossed,
>> 
>> Eileen
>> From: Amy Krout-Horn via Diabetes-Talk 
>> Sent: Friday, October 5, 2018 1:27 PM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org 
>> Cc: Amy Krout-Horn 
>> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] 630g update
>> 
>> Hello,
>> Back in June, I shared my Medtronic dilemma with you all. I wanted to update and share what I’ve learned since then.
>> Once the pump trainer passed along the fact that there was absolutely no way that I could use the 630g as a totally blind person, to the regional Medtronic rep, the rep was helpful in trying to correct my problem.
>> The process began to drag when the third-party supplier that shipped the pump and the insurance company got involved. The supplier has a strict 30-day return policy, which I had exceeded, due to the fact that I had been led to believe from the beginning that the 630g would be accessible and I wasn’t able to schedule with a trainer until after the initial 30 days, whereupon we discovered the dreaded new locked screen problem.
>> Eventually, after more phone calls and texts and tears, I, –along with the Medtronic rep- convinced the supplier to take the 630g back and credit the insurance, so that I can begin the process again.
>> What now is in the works, is that I will be provided with a 700 series Medtronic pump. I’ve always used a 500 series and am not excited about a larger model, but I’m simply happy, that for now, I will be able to continue pump therapy.
>> I was told by the rep that Medtronic is aware of our problems as blind users, and they are working on it. I volunteered to consult with their research and development team with some ideas of how they could make the 630g locked screen accessible using the existing sounds already available on that model. I’ve heard nothing yet, but will continue to reach out.
>> For now, if you are about to warranty out or are considering pump therapy for the first time, and you are completely blind, tell your provider that the Medtronic 700 series is the ONLY model currently available that is, at least, semi-accessible.
>> As of today, I’m still wearing my out-of-warranty 500 series and keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to chug along until the 700 series replacement arrives. I received notification yesterday that the supplier has received paperwork from my diabetes healthcare provider, and that I’m being processed, so, hopefully, it won’t take much longer. I hope this information will be helpful. Thanks to everyone who responded in June. It really helped me feel less alone and less frustrated with all of this.
>> Peace and Light,
>> Amy 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
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> 
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