Meet James
James Fox was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 13 years old. Years later, in July of 2023, he experienced complete vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy. James wears a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), a small wearable device that tracks his glucose levels in real time. However, the handheld meter used to display these readings is not accessible for blind or low-vision users. Before becoming a client of the Iowa Department for the Blind, James relied on his mother to read the numbers on his CGM, since he could not see the screen and the device was unable to provide audible feedback.
Becoming Independent
After receiving training from the Iowa Department for the Blind, James is now confident in his ability to read his CGM independently using VoiceOver and the Seeing AI app. With these tools, he can simply hold his phone above the device—or take a quick photo—and his phone will read the displayed numbers aloud. From there, James can determine whether he is within a healthy glucose range or if insulin is needed.
James also uses tactile strategies to manage the supplies in his health kit. He distinguishes his different insulin pens by feeling the shape of their caps. He also listens to the clicks of each pen to count the insulin units and adjust the dose to what he needs. These techniques allow him to monitor his health with confidence and independence.
Note: The Iowa Department for the Blind does not provide medical advice. For guidance about medication, diet, or lifestyle changes, please consult your doctor or another qualified health professional.