[acb-diabetics] Introducing myself

[Mike Freeman]

Dotty:

You've gotten several answers here but I'll put my two cents'-worth in.

Since your meter playes music, it's the original version of the Prodigy 
Voice.  It has a proprietary cable that fits into the connector.  The other 
end is a standard USB connector.  However, for a blind user, there isn't 
much use in connecting the meter to the computer as the software to work 
with the Prodigy Voice is not accessible.  To be fair, although some 
features of its software may be acccessible under some circumstances, the 
Solo V2 meters software isn't really accesible, either -- this from one of 
the persons working for BioSense, the Solo's developer.  Incidentally, The 
Solo V2 is also more-or-less accessible although it doesn't give the time of 
readings from memory and has a couple of other deficiencies while also 
having the advantage that it gives actual indication of low blood or errors. 
However, you have to do the same thing you'd do with the Prodigy giving an 
anomalous reading -- test again.

Never heard of the Fora V20.  There is no accessible continuous glucose 
monitoring system at present.  And, in truth, we, the blind, haven't 
actually thought much about how we'd want such readings to be presented as 
the usual meters present the stuff in graphical form.

AS for lancets, whatever one you like is the best.  I use whatever comes 
handy.  The AccuChek Softklix is a good one but the one that comes with 
Prodigy Voice also works quite well.

Some will disagree with what I shall say next:  I recommend that blind users 
set their lancet devices on maximum penetration so blind persons are sure 
they have enough blood.  Part of the problem is that blind persons don't 
know when they smear the blood -- what you want is for the drop of blood to 
bead up.  AS I say, some will disagree but I feel the best method to keep 
this pesky problem to a minimum is to get more blood than you need.  If the 
lancet doesn't sting, you're not going deep enough, I say. (grin)

The Prodigy Voice is a bit sensitive to having its buttons inadvertently 
pushed.  Best bet is to find a small pouch that fits meter, lancet device, 
strips and extra set of batteries, rather closely and put that in your 
purse.

Two suppliers of strips for the Prodigy Voice are Advanced Diabetic 
Solutions out of Atlanta, Georgia and Advanced Diabetes Supply out of 
California.

Hope this helps.

Mike Freeman, President
Diabetes Action Network
National Federation of the Blind

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dorothea Martin" <bestsinger at samobile.net>
To: <acb-diabetics at acb.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 12:56 PM
Subject: [acb-diabetics] Introducing myself


> Hello, all,
> I just joined this list and am looking forward to sharing insights with 
> all of you. I was daignosed with type 2 diabetes two months ago and am 
> learning a whole new life style and a new vocabulary to boot. I have a new 
> friend named Prodigy Voice who plays Tinker Bell music and says polite and 
> pleasant things most of the time. Where is the best place to buy test 
> strips for the Prodigy Voice? Can someone give additional tips about how 
> to get that one drop of blood out of cold fingers? Are all lancets created 
> equal? Has anyone tried the Fora V20 blood glucose meter? Is it fully 
> accessible? What about the Glucowatch or Glucoband? Is any company 
> thinking of making them talk? What kind of cable is it that fits into that 
> little hole under the rubber protector in the Prodigy Voice? These are 
> some of my questions at the moment. I would appreciate any answers any of 
> you may have. Thanks.
> Dotty Martin
>
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