[Diabetes-Talk] The Stupidity of Medtronic.

Wed Jun 19 00:21:52 UTC 2019

Veronica, I agree with you to a point. Allot of my work is to advocate for the blind and low vision community. In my opinion we have testimonies of just how this dilemma has effected each of our lives. There is power in numbers and if we were to organize and get the right representation, we may be able to make noise again. The ground work has already been laid, we just need to walk down the road that already exist. I'm not saying that it would be easy, but I truly believe that it is obtainable. The work that you have done should not be in vain. The blog that Anil put out is correct, accessible medical equipment is a life or death scenario for many people. The spirit inside of me will not allow me to stand aside and continue to allow this to happen to people just because we are blind. I am hoping that when the NFB recognize that we are serious about this issue that they will support our efforts but not take the lead in our efforts. In my book accessible medical equipment is important to my independence just as a white kane is to a blind person.

I didn't mean to get in the pulpit, but I have medical issues just as you and we are blind. I want to live, do you?

Walter

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 6:29 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Stupidity of Medtronic.

Walter, major questions. I am extremely disheartened and as I said in my previous post, sure looks like the NFB no longer gets it. The point of working through a national organization really, clout and contacts. As individuals it's tougher to get inside other companies and governmental bodies. But guess that's what has to happen.
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 Walter Mitchell via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 2:23 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Walter Mitchell
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Stupidity of Medtronic.

We had a great thing going on but we lost Dillon and Eric, pretty much at the same time. Looking back over what we accomplished and how it came to a screeching hault has raised a few questions in my mind. Has anyone else had questions come to mind about this???

Walter

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 5:01 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] The Stupidity of Medtronic.

It's wrong but pretty standard pump language. Most companies have a similar warning. I know pens used to have similar verbiage and there was a legal action to remove this language from pen info and packaging. Wondering if something similar needs to happen with pump companies. Although, now that Medtronic is no longer making the 530G, there are not currently any pumps with work-arounds on the market.

BTW, we tried to get a group together to work on this accessibility issue, and the only thing to come out out of it was a bitchfest about using Facebook in addition to the listserve. So...

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 3:33 PM
To: NFB Diabetes Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] The Stupidity of Medtronic.

Hi All,

I got an email from Medtronic today and its subject was “Pre-travel Tips To Get You Ready For Summer.” It sounded interesting to me so I decided to click on a link in the message that brought me to their web site. I was reading along and then came their disclaimer which while I know its how they think, I couldn’t believe they had the below written out. The article was talking about the latest & greatest pumps they make which as blind diabetics we can’t use. Maybe though they should make a statement that their current pumps do not take into account accessibility rather than saying someone without vision or impaired vision should not be using insulin pump therapy. I find it especially upsetting since I just was put in touch with a person yesterday who’s current pump is going out of its warentee soon and this person is in the rough position of finding a pump to use independantly. 

By the way, folks, where is the DAN on working on this topic for getting accessibility into pumps? Any plans for the up-coming convention?

At the end of what I was reading came the following which is very annoying to me. Here’s what it states:

“Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed™ 670G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety-information#minimed-670g
  and the appropriate user guide at
http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library”

If you are interested in reading this for yourselves, , here is the link to what I was reading:

https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/loop-blog/taking-care-insulin-pump-takes-care/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=eloqua&utm_campaign=may_non-promo&utm_content=pumpcaretips_first_loopblog2

Eileen

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