The difficult path of life with the disease

Rostyslav is 12 years old. He is an active, curious, and cheerful boy. He has played football since childhood, loves movement and sport, and is also passionate about mathematics. He goes to school with enthusiasm, and has the support of friends and teachers who treat his condition with understanding.

But behind this active life lies a difficult journey.

Rostyslav was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just 9 years old – the same age as his sister Solomiia when she received her diagnosis. Although his parents already had experience living with this disease by that point, it was yet another heavy trial for the entire family.

Every day brings monitoring, worry, and constant tension. Every sharp rise or drop in blood sugar is a source of stress for the whole family. Together, they are still learning to achieve stable management, as blood sugar is affected by everything: the weather, physical activity, emotions, even the smallest anxieties.

Rostyslav is very energetic: in summer he rides his bike every day, works out on the pull-up bar, and stays constantly on the move. But this very activity often causes sharp swings in blood sugar that are difficult to predict and control.

At school he holds up bravely. His class teacher allows him to have snacks during lessons and step out to check his blood sugar. His friends support him, but even with that support, the daily challenges are far from easy.

Over the years, Rostyslav has learned to manage his condition independently, but despite this, frequent blood sugar spikes remain a serious problem, especially during physical exertion.

In this family, two children live with type 1 diabetes. This is a great challenge – both emotionally and financially. The ongoing costs of medical needs, monitoring equipment, and consumables are simply too much for the family. His parents are reaching out to caring people for help in purchasing sensors.

Your support means the chance for Rostyslav to live an active life, play sport, develop, and feel safer every day.