Re: talking meters in Canada

[Guest guest]

Hi , I understand your feelings about the beeping meter - I have that one

too and share your dislike of it. It is cumbersome, requires too much blood,

doesn't respond when it should (i.e. several seconds after the blood has been

applied), and have had defective drums. I also understand that it is the only

audible option out there available to us to figure out what your BG reading is.

As a matter of fact, my wife spoke to Roche quite some time ago - maybe late

spring - and they said that that the meter was still going through the approval

process before Health Canada. So it's the same old issue. They said that the box

itself would be about $500. Who knows, I don't know if it will be that expensive

though, they didn't seem to know a lot. But you can buy a lot of Prodigy strips

for that price.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Hi , the $500 was supposedly for the talking box to go with a meter that

is under approval with Health Canada. The meter itself isn't that expensive, and

doesn't talk either. Whether that comes to pass, I don't know.

Larry

said: I can't believe Roesch is going to charge so much for their next

meter. The

last one cost that much, the strips were at least $4- for 50 strips and the

thing was big as a brick.

[Guest guest]

Hi , the $500 was supposedly for the talking box to go with a meter that

is under approval with Health Canada. The meter itself isn't that expensive, and

doesn't talk either. Whether that comes to pass, I don't know.

Larry

said: I can't believe Roesch is going to charge so much for their next

meter. The

last one cost that much, the strips were at least $4- for 50 strips and the

thing was big as a brick.

[Guest guest]

Hi , the $500 was supposedly for the talking box to go with a meter that

is under approval with Health Canada. The meter itself isn't that expensive, and

doesn't talk either. Whether that comes to pass, I don't know.

Larry

said: I can't believe Roesch is going to charge so much for their next

meter. The

last one cost that much, the strips were at least $4- for 50 strips and the

thing was big as a brick.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

I'm a member of AEBC, and that's great to know that the blindness groups

have written letters. Is there somewhere I could write a letter as well to

perhaps prod them along a bit faster, do you know?

Jen

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

I'm a member of AEBC, and that's great to know that the blindness groups

have written letters. Is there somewhere I could write a letter as well to

perhaps prod them along a bit faster, do you know?

Jen

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

I'm a member of AEBC, and that's great to know that the blindness groups

have written letters. Is there somewhere I could write a letter as well to

perhaps prod them along a bit faster, do you know?

Jen

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had it at one time. Let me try to find it and I will post it to the list.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Jesso

Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:59 PM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: RE: talking meters in Canada

Hi Ruth,

I'm a member of AEBC, and that's great to know that the blindness groups

have written letters. Is there somewhere I could write a letter as well to

perhaps prod them along a bit faster, do you know?

Jen

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had it at one time. Let me try to find it and I will post it to the list.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Jesso

Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:59 PM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: RE: talking meters in Canada

Hi Ruth,

I'm a member of AEBC, and that's great to know that the blindness groups

have written letters. Is there somewhere I could write a letter as well to

perhaps prod them along a bit faster, do you know?

Jen

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

I had it at one time. Let me try to find it and I will post it to the list.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Jesso

Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 8:59 PM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: RE: talking meters in Canada

Hi Ruth,

I'm a member of AEBC, and that's great to know that the blindness groups

have written letters. Is there somewhere I could write a letter as well to

perhaps prod them along a bit faster, do you know?

Jen

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Larry,

You've got it right. Once Health Canada approves the meter, then the

formularies have to approve it in each province for coverage under their

pharmacare program. However, if I'm not mistaken, your doctor can right the

pharmacare to each program requesting coverage for his/her patient at least

until it is approved on that level. As far as being charged for the meters,

at this point I think he is going to charge, but keep it as reasonably

priced as in the States. But who knows, things may change on charging for

the meter,so don't hold me to that but I do know that no matter what it will

be reasonably priced.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Larry Naessens

Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:51 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: talking meters in Canada

Hi Ruth. I agree. We should be outraged at the cost of many devices designed

specifically for blind use. I suppose that they charge what the market will

tolerate, but when the market is, to a large degree a captive market, some,

including me, see too many instances of exploitation.

One question regarding what you've written here. You mentioned that after

Health canada approves the Prodigy, we will have to fight to get it accepted

into each of our provincial health plans. Does this mean that during that

time the device will be available but only if the person using it is willing

to front the cost? Also, unless I'm mistaken, (and it would be far from the

first time,) the Prodigy was offered at no cost in the States, as is the

case with many meters both here and south of our border. Will it be

available for free in Canada at some point?

Larry

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Larry,

You've got it right. Once Health Canada approves the meter, then the

formularies have to approve it in each province for coverage under their

pharmacare program. However, if I'm not mistaken, your doctor can right the

pharmacare to each program requesting coverage for his/her patient at least

until it is approved on that level. As far as being charged for the meters,

at this point I think he is going to charge, but keep it as reasonably

priced as in the States. But who knows, things may change on charging for

the meter,so don't hold me to that but I do know that no matter what it will

be reasonably priced.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Larry Naessens

Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 8:51 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: talking meters in Canada

Hi Ruth. I agree. We should be outraged at the cost of many devices designed

specifically for blind use. I suppose that they charge what the market will

tolerate, but when the market is, to a large degree a captive market, some,

including me, see too many instances of exploitation.

One question regarding what you've written here. You mentioned that after

Health canada approves the Prodigy, we will have to fight to get it accepted

into each of our provincial health plans. Does this mean that during that

time the device will be available but only if the person using it is willing

to front the cost? Also, unless I'm mistaken, (and it would be far from the

first time,) the Prodigy was offered at no cost in the States, as is the

case with many meters both here and south of our border. Will it be

available for free in Canada at some point?

Larry

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

I am just still feeling sad that the strips are no longer going to be available

after Dec. 8th. I see that machine sitting there

beside a perfectly working machine that does the readings for me and I'll just

basicly have to throw it away. it stinks. I have

been doing my bg's independently for years now, and I have to go back to a

sighted person reading it to me. Grrr!

Love and Hugs and the Furry ones.

Anything on the ground is a cat toy. Anything not there yet, will be.

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Do you pay a percentage of the cost of your strips and lancets now? Remember,

the Prodigy can be purchased for just over $20 (US) per bottle of 50. That's

quite a bit cheaper than other strips if I'm not mistaken. If you could manage

to come up with the cost of the Prodigy Voice (around $90 US), what you would

pay for the Prodigy strips may not be all that different than the percentage of

what you might be paying for the One Touch strips.

As far as throwing out equipment and devices, well, that's a hard one for me

too! Over the years though, it's what you have to do since technology quickly

outdates the life span of the equipment. I've thrown out computers, monitors, a

cassette tape deck, and things like that. It seems like such a waste, but

there's not too much you can do about it.

Dave

God doesn't hate sinners, just sin!

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Do you pay a percentage of the cost of your strips and lancets now? Remember,

the Prodigy can be purchased for just over $20 (US) per bottle of 50. That's

quite a bit cheaper than other strips if I'm not mistaken. If you could manage

to come up with the cost of the Prodigy Voice (around $90 US), what you would

pay for the Prodigy strips may not be all that different than the percentage of

what you might be paying for the One Touch strips.

As far as throwing out equipment and devices, well, that's a hard one for me

too! Over the years though, it's what you have to do since technology quickly

outdates the life span of the equipment. I've thrown out computers, monitors, a

cassette tape deck, and things like that. It seems like such a waste, but

there's not too much you can do about it.

Dave

God doesn't hate sinners, just sin!

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave. The idea that I'm going to mention here won't work for medical stuff,

but for some of the other items that you have mentioned needing to throw out, I

might have a solution. You might want to see if there is a freecycle group

active in your area. It's an easy way to get rid of things you no longer need.

You just post items that you want to give away and other group members will

generally respond showing interest. You then choose someone to receive the item

and they come and pick it up. We've given away a lot of things that we don't

need and we've also received items that we would have had to pay for otherwise.

As you can imagine, computers and other electronics are hot items. I posted a

cassette deck a couple of weeks ago and received a half dozen requests for it.

Over the years, I've received a backup computer, stereo gear and more.

To learn more or to find out if there is a freecycle group active in your area,

check out the following address.

http://www.freecycle.org/

Not exactly on topick I guess, but maybe it will help someone.

Larry

Larry Naessens

Vinyl Trans4mations

A Division of Jalana Enterprises

Bradford, Ontario

Phone:

Vinyl Trans4mations, a Burn Above the Rest

At Vinyl Trans4mations, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that

you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome

all of your enquiries by phone or email. Before sending us your media, please

contact us for important shipping instructions.

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave. The idea that I'm going to mention here won't work for medical stuff,

but for some of the other items that you have mentioned needing to throw out, I

might have a solution. You might want to see if there is a freecycle group

active in your area. It's an easy way to get rid of things you no longer need.

You just post items that you want to give away and other group members will

generally respond showing interest. You then choose someone to receive the item

and they come and pick it up. We've given away a lot of things that we don't

need and we've also received items that we would have had to pay for otherwise.

As you can imagine, computers and other electronics are hot items. I posted a

cassette deck a couple of weeks ago and received a half dozen requests for it.

Over the years, I've received a backup computer, stereo gear and more.

To learn more or to find out if there is a freecycle group active in your area,

check out the following address.

http://www.freecycle.org/

Not exactly on topick I guess, but maybe it will help someone.

Larry

Larry Naessens

Vinyl Trans4mations

A Division of Jalana Enterprises

Bradford, Ontario

Phone:

Vinyl Trans4mations, a Burn Above the Rest

At Vinyl Trans4mations, we turn old records and tapes into brand new CDs that

you can listen to for a lifetime. Visit us at www.vinylguycafe.com. We welcome

all of your enquiries by phone or email. Before sending us your media, please

contact us for important shipping instructions.

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

As you said, it is not a huge price to pay for a bottle of strips. Each

province in Canada has it's own pharmacare program, much like the States,

and each province does it's own thing. Here in Manitoba where I live, you

pay a deductible based on a percentage of your income. Once you reach this

point, everything else becomes free and covered by the government. So, if I

was buying here, all those test strips would add up to help make the

deductible and then once reached I would get the test strips for free..

Personally and fortunately I am able not to care about the money. My health

is worth more than worrying about getting it covered. If you are on

welfare, it is all covered no matter what.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of dave Bond

Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 6:53 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: talking meters in Canada

Do you pay a percentage of the cost of your strips and lancets now?

Remember, the Prodigy can be purchased for just over $20 (US) per bottle of

50. That's quite a bit cheaper than other strips if I'm not mistaken. If you

could manage to come up with the cost of the Prodigy Voice (around $90 US),

what you would pay for the Prodigy strips may not be all that different than

the percentage of what you might be paying for the One Touch strips.

As far as throwing out equipment and devices, well, that's a hard one for me

too! Over the years though, it's what you have to do since technology

quickly outdates the life span of the equipment. I've thrown out computers,

monitors, a cassette tape deck, and things like that. It seems like such a

waste, but there's not too much you can do about it.

Dave

God doesn't hate sinners, just sin!

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

As you said, it is not a huge price to pay for a bottle of strips. Each

province in Canada has it's own pharmacare program, much like the States,

and each province does it's own thing. Here in Manitoba where I live, you

pay a deductible based on a percentage of your income. Once you reach this

point, everything else becomes free and covered by the government. So, if I

was buying here, all those test strips would add up to help make the

deductible and then once reached I would get the test strips for free..

Personally and fortunately I am able not to care about the money. My health

is worth more than worrying about getting it covered. If you are on

welfare, it is all covered no matter what.

Ruth

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of dave Bond

Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 6:53 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: talking meters in Canada

Do you pay a percentage of the cost of your strips and lancets now?

Remember, the Prodigy can be purchased for just over $20 (US) per bottle of

50. That's quite a bit cheaper than other strips if I'm not mistaken. If you

could manage to come up with the cost of the Prodigy Voice (around $90 US),

what you would pay for the Prodigy strips may not be all that different than

the percentage of what you might be paying for the One Touch strips.

As far as throwing out equipment and devices, well, that's a hard one for me

too! Over the years though, it's what you have to do since technology

quickly outdates the life span of the equipment. I've thrown out computers,

monitors, a cassette tape deck, and things like that. It seems like such a

waste, but there's not too much you can do about it.

Dave

God doesn't hate sinners, just sin!

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave:

No I don't have to pay for the strips or lansits right now. But I'll do what I

have to do to remain independent in that way. I

wish I could get my hubby to throw out some old stuff. We have a vic 20, a

comador 64, an omega 500, that is just the computers. I

still won't throw out my cassette recorder as it still works well for me. I

still have a couple of people that I write letters too

on casette. Would you believe that I still have a reel to reel tape recorder?

I need to have something fixed on it, but I still

love that old thing. I have books on reel to reel tape. Woopse I guess I kind

of got off diabetic subjects didn't I?

Love and Hugs and the Furry ones.

Anything on the ground is a cat toy. Anything not there yet, will be.

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave:

No I don't have to pay for the strips or lansits right now. But I'll do what I

have to do to remain independent in that way. I

wish I could get my hubby to throw out some old stuff. We have a vic 20, a

comador 64, an omega 500, that is just the computers. I

still won't throw out my cassette recorder as it still works well for me. I

still have a couple of people that I write letters too

on casette. Would you believe that I still have a reel to reel tape recorder?

I need to have something fixed on it, but I still

love that old thing. I have books on reel to reel tape. Woopse I guess I kind

of got off diabetic subjects didn't I?

Love and Hugs and the Furry ones.

Anything on the ground is a cat toy. Anything not there yet, will be.

talking meters in Canada

Hello,

I know that I work for DDI but I want everyone to know that I am just as

impatient for Health Canada to be done as everyone else. I too need a

talking meter and pay for my strips, etc. Things become harder for

manufacturers to bring things into Canada because it must be translated into

French because we officially are a bilingual country. Many do not bring

things up here because of this cost. To be honest, I suspect that Roche is

just re-selling re-furbished Voice mates. The reason they never made it up

here is because of some gadget which measured the insulin bottles contents

as well as the fact it did not read mmo/l. As for the cost, we should be

outraged at that and not pay it. It has been proven that the cost does not

need to be that high. They're just being greedy and taking advantage of

the situation! Shame on them!Just to let you know, the Alliance for

Equality for Blind Canadians (A.E.B.C.) and the Canadian Council for the

Blind(CCB) have written letters to Health Canada on our behalf trying to

get the Prodigy meters here faster. Even a senator. As for C.N.I.B. they

are useless. They will not even pass on information about anything which

will help their blind clients as this could be viewed as endorsing a

product. What a crock! As for the CDA and and the rest of us blind

diabetics, we will have to help get everything approved yet so everyone is

happy and that includes me too. After the meter is approved by Health

Canada, we will still need to fight to have it covered under each of our

provincial health plans. I send my boss some of our e-mails from the

Canadians on this list to show him how much we want and need the meter and

he does what he can but he must wait too. Just as frustrated,

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Yes indeed, each province is different, and Ontario is so often considered a

'have' province, when in fact, medicare, not so much. Here we can be diagnosed

up the ying yang for nothing, but to buy the drugs, it is either covered by

private insurance through our employers if we are lucky enough, or by the

government only if one is a senior or on social assistance.

There are many people who do not get any help - those who work on contract, have

their own businesses, work part time, or work for a small company without

benefits. Even those individuals on unemployment don't get a break. That's a lot

of people who are in these categories, and they often don't have the resources

to just buy what they need.

If one can't rack up enough receipts for income tax break, upwards of $2,000 in

receipts, there's no benefit there either. For those of us who are lucky enough

to have a plan through our employers, we usually have a co-pay arrangement.

However, the Prodigy strips would cost us out of pocket, because our private

plan won't cover unapproved items, and we would have to rack up alot of strips

before that purchasewould benefit us at all as most of our prescriptions are

covered under the provincial health plan. True, the strips are only about $20

each, but with shipping costs (I'm sure, because everything does), it becomes a

rather expensive proposition.

However, this is the reality, and we will deal with it accordingly.

Ruth said: Each province in Canada has it's own pharmacare program, much like

the States,

and each province does it's own thing. Here in Manitoba where I live, you

pay a deductible based on a percentage of your income. Once you reach this

point, everything else becomes free and covered by the government.

[Guest guest]

Yes indeed, each province is different, and Ontario is so often considered a

'have' province, when in fact, medicare, not so much. Here we can be diagnosed

up the ying yang for nothing, but to buy the drugs, it is either covered by

private insurance through our employers if we are lucky enough, or by the

government only if one is a senior or on social assistance.

There are many people who do not get any help - those who work on contract, have

their own businesses, work part time, or work for a small company without

benefits. Even those individuals on unemployment don't get a break. That's a lot

of people who are in these categories, and they often don't have the resources

to just buy what they need.

If one can't rack up enough receipts for income tax break, upwards of $2,000 in

receipts, there's no benefit there either. For those of us who are lucky enough

to have a plan through our employers, we usually have a co-pay arrangement.

However, the Prodigy strips would cost us out of pocket, because our private

plan won't cover unapproved items, and we would have to rack up alot of strips

before that purchasewould benefit us at all as most of our prescriptions are

covered under the provincial health plan. True, the strips are only about $20

each, but with shipping costs (I'm sure, because everything does), it becomes a

rather expensive proposition.

However, this is the reality, and we will deal with it accordingly.

Ruth said: Each province in Canada has it's own pharmacare program, much like

the States,

and each province does it's own thing. Here in Manitoba where I live, you

pay a deductible based on a percentage of your income. Once you reach this

point, everything else becomes free and covered by the government.

[Guest guest]

Hi folks,

just want to let you know that Roche now has a new talking meter. It is a voice

Mate Plus, which works with the Accucheck Compact Plus meter. It sounds like it

is very similar to the old Voice Mate, as far as accessibility. Apparently the

meter just sits on the box and is connected via an infrared port, has a keypad

much like a phone keypad to perform all of the functions.

The cost is $300.

Just thought you might want to know.

Re: talking meters in Canada

Yes indeed, each province is different, and Ontario is so often considered a

'have' province, when in fact, medicare, not so much. Here we can be diagnosed

up the ying yang for nothing, but to buy the drugs, it is either covered by

private insurance through our employers if we are lucky enough, or by the

government only if one is a senior or on social assistance.

There are many people who do not get any help - those who work on contract,

have their own businesses, work part time, or work for a small company without

benefits. Even those individuals on unemployment don't get a break. That's a lot

of people who are in these categories, and they often don't have the resources

to just buy what they need.

If one can't rack up enough receipts for income tax break, upwards of $2,000

in receipts, there's no benefit there either. For those of us who are lucky

enough to have a plan through our employers, we usually have a co-pay

arrangement. However, the Prodigy strips would cost us out of pocket, because

our private plan won't cover unapproved items, and we would have to rack up alot

of strips before that purchasewould benefit us at all as most of our

prescriptions are covered under the provincial health plan. True, the strips are

only about $20 each, but with shipping costs (I'm sure, because everything

does), it becomes a rather expensive proposition.

However, this is the reality, and we will deal with it accordingly.

Ruth said: Each province in Canada has it's own pharmacare program, much like

the States,

and each province does it's own thing. Here in Manitoba where I live, you

pay a deductible based on a percentage of your income. Once you reach this

point, everything else becomes free and covered by the government.

[Guest guest]

Hi , at least an option is available, albeit a very expensive one. I

guess in light of the passing of the One Touch Profile, it is timely. However, I

am still frustrated with this whole thing.

So instead of the 20 year old technology offered by the One Touch Profile and

the talking box, Roche is now offering a meter that will work with their talking

box for quite a chunk of change, for technology that was made available 10 years

ago, in 1998, finally arrives in Canada.

Meanwhile the rest of the world has moved on, and use honest to goodness talking

meters, except for those in Canada, who are waiting for one of these to be

approved.

*sigh*

*stepping off my soapbox now*

Sorry guys, just expressing a little frustration with this slower than sludge

process.