[Diabetes-Talk] CGM and pump accessibility

[Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter]

Verlyn,

Thank you for sharing more details of your situation. In your earlier
message, we did not have all the facts, so I appreciate having a fuller
understanding, making it easier to comment.

I started on the Deltech Cosmo pump and miss it. It was the best pump for
blind diabetics, in my opinion, in terms of easier work-arounds. But sadly,
the Cosmo was discontinued, and Deltech bought out. So, I switched to the
Animas Ping, which was the closest to the Cosmo. But as you know, Animas has
now stopped manufacturing pumps. Of the choicest available, the Medtronic
530G was the only pump with some work-arounds for blind diabetics. And it
stopped making the 530G. Those of us lucky enough to get one before the
deadline only have a couple of more years before we are left without a
warranty and no longer able to get supplies for the 530G. I doubt very much
in that time Medtronic or any other company will work on accessibility of
any kind for its pumps.

Veronica on the list has had success with the Omnipod in terms of
work-arounds, but I know it's been tedious at times for her. She can better
explain.

I will say, the insulin pens are completely able to be used by blind people.
Many have and do with great success. This is certainly an option.

Good luck with everything, and please continue to ask questions here.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Verlyn
Baldwin via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 12:04 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Verlyn Baldwin <letsdanceintx at gmail.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] CGM and pump accessibility

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to all for your comments.
The comments assist me in having a better understanding of what has been
done to further the development of accessible equipment for the blind
diabetics.

I was attempting to keep my previous message short and to the point as in so
doing perhaps did not give enough detail as to my current and future
concerns.

I have had Type I for 55 years and been using a pump for 20 years. I have
been living for the last 7 years in a senior independent continuum care
community. I feel very blessed in the ability to do so. We have exercise
equipment and classes; transportation; a nurse 5 days a week and an optional
dining room to use.
I do cook and live independently. I use the Dexcom G5 with a Prodigy
glucometer. Just this past week I was trained on the Medtronic pump which
many of you are using. Switching over from the Animas has been a sad
occurrence but I will succeed!

I have family history of both Dementia and Depression. Therefore my concerns
are for the potential of no longer being able to cognitively manage my
diabetes. I don't wring my hands over this but feel it best to seek out
potentials while I still can.

My endocrinologist is wonderful yet she was not aware of the Medtronic
trade. I failed to thoroughly read the letter that was sent out by Animas.
When my doctor told me, "I don't know what to do.", I was quite devastated.
She said I can not use the pens as I am on so little insulin. Anyway, I
wasn't going to give up and found this NFB group.

What a blessing you all have been. 

I will continue to hold fast to the belief that through God's help and our
diligence we can overcome.

Blessings and Peace,

Verlyn


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