Nancy Duncan is a retired senior with diabetes. She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2005 and was unsure of the cause.
“Relatives in my family had it, but people weren’t diagnosed back then,” Nancy said. They just said you had the sugars and that was it.”
Over the past 20 years, Nancy has learned how to and manage her condition and advocate for herself. When she was first diagnosed, she was not worried about losing her sight because she was already blind. Instead, she was angry because she would be missing desserts and her favorite foods.
Challenges with Accessible Diabetic Devices
Nancy was also frustrated by the lack of accessible devices for blind diabetics. She was able to find information to read on diabetes from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled and the American Diabetes Association. However, accessibility ended there.
“When I attended workshops, they demonstrated devices, but none were accessible to me,” she said.
She tried using a talking glucometer but had difficulty placing the blood correctly on the strip.
“If you touched the blood in the wrong place, it would not be effective,” Nancy explained. “The strips were very small.”
Eventually, she returned to using a standard device and relied on a sighted person to read the results.
Finding a Better Device
Nancy wanted a more independent solution. Today, she uses a Continuous Glucose Monitor.
The device is worn on her arm. Nancy describes the device as about the size of a penny and has a little needle you insert in the skin. It comes with an adhesive backing to stay on the arm. The device provides audible alerts when blood sugar levels change. It also connects to her smartphone, allowing her to access readings using speech output and share data with her doctor.
“This device has improved my independence in managing my diabetes,” Nancy said.
Exercise for Blind Diabetics
Nancy emphasizes that managing diabetes involves more than devices. Diet and exercise are also essential.
After her diagnosis, she worked with a personal trainer who had experience supporting people who are blind.
“Many trainers don’t have that experience, and it makes a difference,” she said.
Although she did not lose significant weight, exercise helped improve her blood sugar levels.
Today, she exercises at home using equipment such as the PhysioStep, which combines features of an elliptical machine and a recumbent bike.
“I feel better, especially in my joints,” she said.
Vegetarian, Blind and Diabetic
Nancy has been a vegetarian for many years and has had to adjust her diet to manage diabetes.
“Vegetarian meals can be high in carbohydrates,” she said.
She now focuses on portion control and balances carbohydrates with protein. For example, she often pairs egg whites with toast for breakfast.
Nancy also uses assistive technology to read food labels and make informed choices.
Importance of Self-Advocacy
Nancy encourages others who are blind or low vision to advocate for themselves.
When she first sought a Continuous Glucose Monitor, it was not covered by insurance. She worked with her doctor to obtain approval.
She also notes that many diabetes educators are not familiar with the needs of people who are blind.
“It’s important to ask questions and push for the care you need,” she said.
Self-advocacy is a piece of advice Nancy gives to all blind and low vision diabetics.