School is not only about learning Polish, mathematics or geography; school is something more. At school, we also learn tolerance, understanding and respect for ourselves and our surroundings. We form friendships and spend time together. In every school there are female and male students who carry invisible backpacks with them. They are disabled friends from the class.

In a few sentences, I will introduce children with type 1 diabetes. The disease, which was suddenly diagnosed in them, will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Type 1 diabetes does not develop because of a poor diet, lack of exercise or excessive consumption of sweets. Even scientists who study diabetology are unable to state unequivocally where type 1 diabetes comes from.

Is a student with type 1 diabetes different? How do they differ from their healthy peers? Visually, they do not differ in any way until their blood sugar level begins to change rapidly. In such situations, a student with type 1 diabetes begins to react. If their blood sugar level is too low, they must quickly eat or drink something sweet; a failure to react may lead to dangerous hypoglycemia and loss of consciousness. With a high blood glucose level, however, they must receive a corrective dose of insulin from outside, using an insulin pump or an injector called a PEN. Before every meal, a person with type 1 diabetes must measure their blood sugar to check its level, and then decide whether they can eat or whether the result is too high and they must wait longer. If the result allows them to eat, for example, breakfast, they adjust the insulin dose to the nutritional value of the prepared meal.

A healthy child eats whatever they want and whenever they feel like it. The pancreas automatically releases the appropriate amount of insulin. Everything happens automatically and spontaneously in a healthy person. Physical exertion naturally lowers blood sugar, which is why before a physical education lesson, a person with type 1 diabetes measures their blood sugar and, if it is too low, raises it with a sweet drink or snack. This is only a minimal outline of the additional burden placed on a student with type 1 diabetes at school and outside school, because diabetes cannot be switched off for a few hours so that one can live carefree.

It is therefore worth remembering that, just as not everyone can afford a new backpack, shoes or pencil case, there is also no reason to laugh at or avoid a student who is weaker or ill. A person with type 1 diabetes is not to blame for being ill. It is worth taking an interest in them and helping them when necessary—not mocking or isolating them, which unfortunately happens very often.

The photograph shows the contents of the additional backpack that a student with diabetes must always remember, and many of these items must always be kept close at hand.

On the occasion of the recently started new school year, I wish all students excellent grades and joy in gaining knowledge, kind friends, and pleasant experiences at school and beyond.

Witold Fydrych
President of the Board of the “SŁODKA JEDYNKA” Association
Diabetology Educator
Clinical Dietitian
Knight of the Order of the Smile #1060