[Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

Wed Jun 26 16:32:12 UTC 2019

Thank you Bridgit for your wonderful input. I truly appreciate you and all who have answered my very vague questions. I am not intending any harm by doing research, in the dark so to speak. However, I mean no discontent nor disrespect to all of those of you whom have been so kind to offer your comments regarding the difficulties with being blind and the independent use of insulin pumps.

Most sincerely,

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 11:53 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

I became blind when I was 22, and my endo at the time placed me on an insulin pump. He didn't hesitate over the fact that I was becoming blind. Initially, I could see my pump, but could not see the print or icons on the screen, so I've always used my pumps nonvisually.

I started on the Deltech Cosmo, which was my favorite, but sadly, it stopped making the Cosmo. I switched a few years ago to the Animas Ping, which was comparable to the Cosmo, but not quite the same. Now Animas is no more, so I've switched to the Medtronic 530G. I don't really care for this pump, but it's really the only option for blind people now as all other pumps use touch screen tech, and there's no work-around for blind people. Other pumps also now have a locking feature, and in most cases, the place you touch to unlock is different every time, so again, no work-around for blind people.

With my Medtronic 530G, I can touch bolus, suspend and unsuspend it, change my reservoir, change battery on my own. I can use the bolus wizard, but My carb/insulin ratios fluctuate frequently, so I prefer to touch bolus.

Unfortunately, Medtronic has stopped manufacturing the 530G, and once its current stock is depleted, there will be no pump on the market that blind people can find work-arounds for. Those of us on the 530G have 4 years, really 3 now, before our warranty runs out. Medtronic will not provide support for it, and if it does break down, there will be no replacement. 

I want to be able to use every feature on my pump completely independently with some text-to-speech program. There's no reason companies can't do this; each just refuses. Once my warranty is up, I'm not sure what I will do. Veronica has made the Omnipod work for her; I may consider this; we will see.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Rick via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 10:17 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: hmladek at neo.rr.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

Hi all,

I hope I did not stir up any problems. Another question since we have not heard from diabetics that do not use a pump. Please say why. Of course, we can continue to use the pump as long as it functions, but Medtronic Please be nice, I'm only trying to gather a little information to digest. And yes, I am a blind diabetic all...
Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 9:14 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

That's funny. Yeah, people usually ask if I can see anything. I do have light perception and can "see" shadows and a very small, select number of colors, but I can't "do" anything visually. People say I do not "look" and "act" blind. Abelist BS. But it does seem more people have some inkling that blind doesn't always mean can't see at all.

The TSlim is pretty cool. If they would just apply voiceover like Apple products, sigh... If I can do everything from shop to bank to social media on my phone, I should be able to use a pump with voiceover.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 3:16 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

Yeah, if I were sighted, I would have seriously considered the T-slim pump. Although I have heard complaints about how much work is involved in changing its cartridge. But Tandem is the first company that I know of, that considered the pitches of the pump beeps and actually lowered the pitch so all humans could hear them. So they did a good job of considering those with visual and hearing impairments but unfortunately it didn't go to completely deaf or blind. 
In some ways, this may sound strange, but I'm running into a lot of people thinking that blind doesn't mean no vision at all any more. How often nowadays I run into, you mean, really ummm, blind? <grin> 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 Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 8:04 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

Yes, I miss my Cosmo, sigh... Was the best pump, in my opinion, especially for blind users. Well, the TSlim is pretty cool, but completely unuseable for blind people. At least if using nonvisually.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2019 9:38 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] pump or not to pump

The best and most complete access to a pump I had was with my old Cozmo. That was the only pump which had an infrared connection to a computer. I could go into software and change anything I wanted. The date and time, my insulin to carb ratios, basals, anything. Then I'd just fire the program changes back to my pump and that was that. I was truly completely independent, save for the food data base. 
And yes, same for me, I think. When I switched to a pump in 1991, my total daily insulin dosage was cut in half. I felt like I got my life back, having the freedom to just stop anywhere and grab a meal or respond to a surprise. 
But my pump must do more than I could do with a pen. 
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: Monday, June 24, 2019 6:08 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Eileen Scrivani
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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