[Diabetes-Talk] Accessible Medical Equipment Apps

Sun Jan 10 03:39:56 UTC 2021

Good evening everyone,

	It's also necessary that those who set up and service this equipment
be trained on all aspects of such installations including installing and
configuring the apps that will allow users to obtain feedback on how the
device is functioning as well as vital medical information such as one's
blood sugar level and their sleep. My new BYPAP cane with an app that if
installed by the therapist who delivered the machine helped me set it up and
configure it on my iPhone. Assuming it would work with Voiceover the app
would have given me information concerning my blood oxygen, my sleep cycles,
the number of sleep apnea episodes, etc. When I asked her to do this for me
she angrily told me that she was a respiratory therapist not a computer guru
and left. I too have Humana and need to report this behavior to them in the
hopes they willrequire their vendors to train all of their personnel on all
aspects of the use of such devices and associated software by patients. We
will definitely urge our congress members to support the HUMAND Bill.

	Having accessible monitoring and medication delivery equipment is
one area needing work to improve the independence of all blind patients
including blind diabetics. Educating medical personnel concerning how blind
patients should be treated should be another initiative the NFB should
undertake. This came home to me in January of 2020 when I was hospitalized
for a kidney infection. So as not to go a stray where the list topic is
concerned I'll save that story for a more appropriate forum. All the best
for a great week ahead.

Peter Donahue

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sandi
Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 7:49 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sjryan2 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers

Sorry. No one spelled it in our meeting. But this gives me hope.

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Doula
Jarboe via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 6:43 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: doula.jarboe at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucome Hi
Sandy and All,

     I was in a meeting with President Riccabono this morning.  And I
believe it's actually the Humand not Human.  Either way, I think this might
be a better way to go for all this medical equipment that isn't all that
accessible.  I'm sure as we get closer to Washington seminar, we'll get more
information, and a better picture of the whole idea.

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sandi
Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 2:58 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sjryan2 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers

Thanks, Walter. I find it suspicious that the only people with Type 2 who
can get a CGM are those who must test their blood four times per day, but
Medicare pays for only up to three strips per day. It would be a lot less
costly for everyone if they allowed us to have CGM's when our sugar levels
tend to stay low so we can figure out how to keep them that way. All waiting
does is keeps doctors and insurance companies in business treating all the
people who couldn't have the devices to assist with prevention! Please read
below for extremely brief info about the NFB's Washington Seminar priority
on accessible home medical devices.

At our NFB chapter meeting today, I learned that the NFB is taking what
they're calling, I think, the Human Act to Washington Seminar as one of the
issues. They have backed off their plan of last year to lump home appliances
and gym equipment in with medical devices, and we're seeking support for
accessible home medical devices only. This is all the information I have so
far. Apparently the fact sheets for the four priorities are not yet
available, but this sounds much better than last year.

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Walter
Mitchell via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 7:08 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers

Good Morning Sandy and All,

I have been a vicctom of what Sandy has just explained. I am not on insulin
and I test 3 times a day. I would like to have the device as a preventative
measure. I don't understand why my disease must become worse when there are
tools to monitor and possibly prevent the disease from progressing.

I found a program for the Free Style Libre for $180 per month, of which
includes the reoccurring supplies.

Contact information:
Visit FreeStyleLibre.us or contact our Customer Care team for product
support at 1-855-632-8658. The team is available 7 days a week 8AM to 8PM
Eastern Time, excluding holidays.

I hope that this helps someone.

"Blind love is the answer, today, and for our future!

Walter Mitchell
(513) 582-8606
Walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sandi
Ryan via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 6:48 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sjryan2 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers

Hi Peter,

The Continuous Glucose Monitors are pretty accessible. The problem is that,
as a "borderline," you wouldn't qualify for one under insurance or Medicare.
It could be very helpful for people like you and me to have one of these
devices. My doctor has told me I need test only once a day, which gives me
only knowledge of my blood sugar at one point in the day. The CGM's check
your blood sugar, I think, every 5 minutes so you can, for instance, see
when it's high or low, and determine how many hours each day your sugar is
high or low. But as blind diabetics who don't have high enough A1C's, we
aren't eligible for these devices. And between the purchase of the unit and
the ongoing costs of sensors and transmitters, they're quite expensive to
buy on one's own.

To the rest of you, this issue has frustrated me for several years, and I
just wanted to explain. On the one hand, I'm fortunate that my glucose
levels are not as high as many people's. On the other hand, until they are
that high, I'm being watched and receiving no real treatment or tools to
help it stay that way.

Sandi

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Peter
Donahue via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 9:29 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: pmdonahue2 at gmail.com
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Introduction, Accessible Non Stic Glucometers

Good morning everyone,

	First let me introduce myself. My wife Mary and I are members at
large from Texas. We've been NFB members for many years but took a break
from 2014 until last year when we rejoined. Mary is still employed as a
Braille Proofreader and I build websites. In addition we're also
entrepreneurs.

	My doctor is keeping a close watch on my A1C as I'm a borderline
diabetic. I know many blind diabetics who use conventional blood glucometers
for monitoring their sugar. In recent years glucometers have come on the
market that don't require one to prick their finger to obtain a blood
sample. Should one be necessary I'm curious to know if any of these new
generation blood glucometers are usable by blind diabetics and how they
work? Your information will be very much appreciated. All the best for a
happy new year.

Peter Donahue

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