Life in another dimension

Sasha plays soccer and dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. He is a cheerful, lively boy who needs constant monitoring of his blood glucose levels. Frequent, uncontrolled spikes in his blood sugar greatly affect his emotional state and have a negative impact on his health.

Last September, Sasha started first grade. It was during this period that his life changed dramatically – the boy was diagnosed with "type 1 diabetes". After the diagnosis, the small family’s life changed radically – the first few months felt like being transported to another dimension, with no way back to familiar reality.

Awareness of diabetes is very low in Ukrainian society. People often associate the disease with the inability to eat sweets and "chronically" high blood glucose levels. Few people know that the opposite and more dangerous condition – hypoglycemia – can occur when glucose levels drop to a critical level.

At first, Sasha’s mother was afraid to leave her son at school, essentially on his own with his condition. She did everything she could to provide the teachers with basic information about diabetes: she held meetings and discussions, and prepared and brought in informational brochures. It’s worth noting that the school administration, teachers, and classmates all treat Sasha with understanding. The teacher allows Sasha to have snacks, step out during class, and answer phone calls from his mom. But the boy knows full well that he mustn’t abuse these privileges.

The continuous glucose monitoring sensors, which are vital for Sasha, are far too expensive. His mother simply cannot afford to replace them regularly on her own, as she has been raising her son alone since birth. For Sasha, these sensors are a matter of safety and health. His mother is asking for help!