Mia's childhood was not only about injections

Three-year-old Mia is a very sweet, smart and cheerful girl. From birth she developed well, grew up active and inquisitive, and had no serious health problems. Until the age of three the girl had only ordinary colds and grew without complications. She is very advanced for her age: Mia speaks well, knows many poems and fairy tales, easily finds common ground with people, and is open and sociable. She also loves animals very much.

In the first month of her life Mia had coronavirus. Doctors believe this could have been one of the factors that triggered the development of type 1 diabetes, the disease that came to the girl at the age of three and changed her life forever.

The beginning was extremely hard. The little girl went through 10 to 15 finger pricks every day to measure her sugar level. She was afraid of insulin injections, and every one of them came with tears and coaxing. But after the first sensor was fitted, Mia's life became much easier: less pain and fear, and more control.

For a small child with diabetes a sensor is real support and safety. It helps to see changes in glucose levels, to react to dangerous readings in time, and it reduces the number of painful pricks of little fingers.

Mia now lives with her mother and father in Kharkiv. The displaced family had to leave their home in an occupied city and start life over. They rent an apartment, and because kindergartens in the city are closed, Mia does not attend preschool yet. When her mother works remotely, her grandparents help to look after the girl.

Only four months have passed since the diagnosis, but Mia has already learned to live with it in her own, childlike way. She knows that before tasting something sweet she needs an insulin injection. She can follow the readings on the phone, she understands the new rules of her life and tries very hard. So small and fragile, yet incredibly strong in spirit, Mia proves every day that even at three you can be a real little fighter.

So that the girl can regain at least part of her carefree childhood, the family badly needs continuous glucose monitoring sensors. This is not just a device. It is a chance for Mia to grow, play, discover the world and live without constant fear of dangerous sugar swings.

The family asks everyone who cares to support little Mia. Every sensor means fewer tears, less pain, more safety and a chance for this little girl simply to remain a child. Let us help Mia live fully and step forward with confidence!