Patient creates fashionable products for diabetes devices

The inventor was diagnosed with diabetes when she was four. After many years of injections she started using an insulin pump. While her medical health improved, she struggled with the social inconvenience and wearability of the device. During her thesis research, she found her story was similar to many other women and began conceptualizing a way to improve the experience in terms of comfort and confidence.

Current products consist of scarves, neck pieces, and decorative elements that envelop these devices. The goal is to ignite positive conversations and holistically improve health for women with diabetes.

Jessica began Hanky Pancreas at Parsons The New School For Design during her master’s thesis addressing a theme of design, technology and the human condition. Hanky Pancreas evolved from her study of the socio-psychological impact of chronic illness and the social potential of wearable health technologies.

“Hanky Pancreas products strive to better integrate diabetes technology on the body and exist as an intervention to the psychosocial “fashion challenge” of the insulin pump”, explained Jessica.

Adapted from: http://hankypancreas.com/meet-the-designer/

More info: http://jessicafloeh.com/?portfolio=hanky-pancreas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3dPoZBY0_c