[Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

[hmladek at neo.rr.com]

Hello Eileen,

Thank you and also to Diana for your responses. What I am understanding is that from those of you who have shared your points, the pump is a device that gives you more freedom of your lives not to be concerned with the syringe delivery method and all that entails. Also, I've noticed and Eileen has kindly addressed that although there are a few controls able to be handled themselves, a blind user is not able to independently control most of the needed settings etc. without a sighted assistant.

I cannot understand to why more then do not use. Is it affordability?

Yes, I'm asking a lot but I must do my research to know how those of you use such equipment to manage your insulin therapy.

Again, I do thank you for your points regarding blindness and insulin pumps. Sad as it is, I've recently read a report from back in the early 2000s that was all about insulin pumps and diabetics blind not being able to use such devices independently.  If blind and deaf individuals are contraindicated, how does one with such a disability obtain a prescription? Being contraindicated should mean since unable to use safely/independently without assistance, how is such a device that can be so troubling be prescribed and sold to one whom has such disabilities? Maybe I'm thinking out loud but it is when you are vocal, you then are heard and somebody decides to do something.

Be heard, I am taking notes is all I can admit to...

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Eileen Scrivani via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 9:08 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Eileen Scrivani <etscrivani at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

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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