[Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

[Eileen Scrivani]

Rick,

You don’t mention if your a blind diabetic or are you working for or with a company that is looking into making an insulin pump accessible to us blind diabetics? Please tell us as you are asking many questions.

I am currently using a Medtronics pump and have used Medtronics for the past 5 plus years. I just got a new pump and while it is not their latest and greatest, I am happy with it. I am able to do simple bolis’s. I am also able to fill my reservoir & tubing and refill the set when it needs changing. I do this independently, without sighted assistance.

However, there is a lot that I as well as other blind diabetics cannot do with their insulin pumps. I would if I had my way like speech output that would allow me to read alerts like low battery, low reservoir, &/or no delivery. I would also like access to be able to read and if necessary, change the date & time, I would also like the pump to be able to read the amount of the last bolis I gave or list of bolis’s and the times I gave them. I would like to be able to read & change the insulin delivery rates (basil rate) and the times of them. To state it simply, I want the same access to the screens and information sighted diabetics are able to utilize for themselves in managing their diabetes.

With all that said and as limited as using the pump is, I never, never want to go back to doing multiple, daily injections. The pump gives better, more even control and its easier to deal with.

Eileen 

From: Rick via Diabetes-Talk 
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 8:36 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' 
Cc: hmladek at neo.rr.com 
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

Hi all,

Rick here and new to this group. I had forgotten I had joined this group due
to it being so quiet.

So, with that in mind, I am writing to all blind diabetics here. Do you use
an insulin pump? If so, other than your basil delivery and a quick bolus
option, are you able to operate any of the settings or controls without
sighted assistance? What are your pros and cons with your pump, please I'm
not asking for any bashing of the great Companies out there. Now, if you had
options other than speech technology being part of, what other features
within the software and/or hardware would be wanted? Please don't ask for
built in MP3 players or GPS locaters lol.
Now, for those who do not use a pump, why not? I've read that it allows the
best control of your A1C levels. What reasons prevents you from going to a
pump over using whatever option for insulin delivery that you presently use?

I ask you all to overwhelm me with chatter regarding these points. Thank you
to Veronica and Joyce for your points.

Be well my Friends,

Rick



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