[Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen

Fri Aug 14 23:49:56 UTC 2020

Veronica and all,

First, We do not thank you enough for your work and we, have run into many closed doors with our work, as well. Therefore, we all thank you for your struggles for yourself and for all of we disabled diabetics.

Now, understand that I cannot say too much, Veronica and a few others on this list know what I and we are doing. Without going into too much, there is work being done quietly and we will be surprising many diabetics with needs for an insulin pump for those with special needs and simply, insulin dependent diabetics with no added disability seeking a user friendly system. The first independently and safe insulin pump is being created. Engineers working, our Executive team putting all together and capital is being raised. It is in the works, you all have not been forgotten nor ignored. We, too, are diabetics with special needs and know all of the struggles all of us go through for medical products which are equally accessable. It is under way, I promise. 

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2020 7:22 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen

Yes Bridgit. And we came very close about a year and a half ago. But when new people took over and they were not interested in working on accessible medical devices by themselves, I dropped out. Look at the current proposed resolution. They're lumped in with dishwashers, calling for standards through the access board, stuff that will take ten years, and by then, the medical devices won't even vaguely resemble what we have now. If these organizations had jumped when I was screaming at them years ago, we'd be on board for all of these upcoming closed loop systems which sighted people will have in a couple of years. There's one in final trials right now that would be the most incredible gift but right now, we're not in line. It's a very sad and disappointing state of affairs and it bugs me for all sorts of selfish reasons. After just about completely closing down my business for six months to focus on this with the NFB, I felt really discouraged when they just dropped everything without so much as a thanks for your time. So I took a break and then was ready to hop on it again when Covid hit. So I'll just keep looking for doors I can pound on, people I can beg or anything else that seems reasonable. And the thing is, I'm finding more and more medical devices that are going this way, using the smart phone interface. Everything from Cpap to other medication delivery systems. In short order it won't be just us. 
Anyway, thanks for reading my rant but man I've been trying. And I haven't quit yet. I'm glad to have your company, all of you on this list because seeing how many people want this stuff sure keeps me going.
Thanks a bunch. Hugs!
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: Friday, August 14, 2020 4:07 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen

Are you F-ing kidding me? NFB and ACB are not willing to help make this a reality? That's bananas. Isn't this the exact reason blind consumer orgs exist?

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2020 6:02 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen

Hi Melanie and all.
Yes, I am using the Omnipod, but I am using the older style PDM, which still has buttons and yes, I can use the Seeing AI app to read it, even out in public. 
And yes, it is clear about the new PDM. It's not accessible. It's called Dash and they are close to coming out with the continuous connection with Dexcom. But we would be unable to read our numbers or do anything. The Dash is based on a Samsung smart phone, but the phone part is removed. I have been trying really hard to find someone at Google to set up a program of putting TalkBack in these devices, which would make them accessible, but I'm doing this completely on my own. Neither NFB or ACB are interested. So I will keep trudging along by myself to find someone. But it got really hard to chase anyone down once Covid hit. At least they are not getting rid of the old remotes yet. I've been using the Omnipod for two years plus a few months now and don't really want to switch. It would be great to have this system up and running on a pump with no tubing. There is a group of pumpers who figured out how to hack these older remotes and make a connection with Dexcom. They are called loopers. It works really well but once again, we'd lose access to all of our information so we don't have that option. If I thought we did, I'd be on it like ants on my meatloaf. <grin.> Anyway, give me a shout if there's any more you'd like to know and I'll see what I can do.
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 Melanie Torrance via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2020 3:02 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Melanie Torrance
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen

Thanks Bridget!
Melanie

Sent from Melanie's i phone

> On Aug 14, 2020, at 5:47 PM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Veronica here is the only person I know of who is using it nonvisually. She can let you know aboutit, but from what I understand from Veronica, she's only been able to make the Omnipod work using apps like Seeing AI to read and navigate through the remote. However, Omnipod is in the process of switching from a tactile remote to a touchscreen style, and it's not clear if work-arounds will be possible for nonvisual users. If I'm wrong about any of this Veronica, let me know.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
> Melanie Torrance via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Friday, August 14, 2020 4:07 PM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Melanie Torrance <melanietorrance at icloud.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen
> 
> Has anyone had any experience with the Omnipod insulin pump on this site? I heard they were hoping to integrate that pump with Dexcom. 
> Melanie
> Sent from Melanie's i phone
> 
>> On Aug 14, 2020, at 4:58 PM, gary-melconian via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Brigit, just like you, I am also trying to  do research on the 
>> matter.as I would be interested in something that would be smart for 
>> me to even better benefit from my diabetes management with the cgm 
>> system that I am currently using which is the freestyle libre.
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
>> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
>> Sent: Friday, August 14, 2020 7:50 AM
>> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen
>> 
>> Verlyn,
>> 
>> Do you use voiceover to access the InPen app? I'm thinking of 
>> transitioning to the InPen but need to make sure the app is accessible with voiceover.
>> 
>> If InPen can pair with Dexcom, this is similar to pumps that have 
>> CGMs built in. While InPen is not a sub-Q system, I like the idea of 
>> it being able to connect with my Dexcom.
>> 
>> Bridgit
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
>> Verlyn Baldwin via Diabetes-Talk
>> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2020 11:50 PM
>> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Verlyn Baldwin <letsdanceintx at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Medtronic & Inpen
>> 
>> I've been using the Inpen with my IPhone app and Dexcom G6 since 
>> January 2020. While it definitely isn't a pump I think it is the best 
>> alternative for the time being. However, this may not be true for everyone.
>> 
>> Today I spoke with my local Inpen representative. I wanted to know 
>> what his thoughts were about Medtronic purchasing the company 
>> manufacturing the Inpen. He stated that Inpen will remain its own 
>> identity within the Medtronic Company. The future plans are to make 
>> the Inpen app automatically calculate out the insulin dose it 
>> recommends you inject based on your current blood glucose level and 
>> the carb, glucose level and insulin ratios that have been programed 
>> into the Inpen app. Whether or not the communication between the CGM 
>> and Inpen will be automatic through Bluetooth or something rather 
>> than the individual having to enter their BG into the app I am not sure.
>> I told the rep that I would be hesitant to just accept this 
>> information and go ahead and inject the amount the Inpen is 
>> suggesting. He did agree that factors such as stress, exercise etc.
>> would not be something the Inpen would be able to calculate in its suggested dose.
>> 
>> Currently the thing I like best about the Inpen app is that it tells 
>> me how much insulin I have on board (remaining and working) from my last injection.
>> This way if I get a high glucose warning I can check my insulin on 
>> board before deciding whether or not to inject more insulin to bring 
>> down my glucose level and prevent a low BG from happening.
>> 
>> Anyone wishing to contact me for more information on my personal use 
>> with the Inpen is welcome to email me at letsdanceintx at gmail.com 
>> Verlyn Baldwin
>> 
>> 
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