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YouTubeIntroduction: The Hard Truth About School and Type 1 Diabetes
School and Type 1 Diabetes — it’s a mix that can either empower a student or put them at risk. While some schools rise to the challenge, offering care and compassion, others fall dangerously short. The difference? Education, understanding, and action.
In this episode of We Are T1D, Mike and Jack react to 20 real stories from students and parents who shared their experiences managing Type 1 Diabetes in school. The stories come from a viral TikTok that opened up a tidal wave of truth — and some of what came out was shocking.
From snack shaming to cancelled school trips, this episode highlights how school and Type 1 Diabetes can be handled brilliantly — or disastrously.
The Challenge of Managing Type 1 Diabetes in School
Managing Type 1 Diabetes in school isn’t just about remembering snacks or bringing a glucose meter. It’s about navigating misunderstandings, judgment, and policies that often weren’t made with chronic illnesses in mind.
That’s why this episode is all about school and Type 1 Diabetes — because this conversation needs to be louder.
Mike and Jack split the episode into two powerful halves:
- 10 shocking failures from schools
- 10 uplifting, hope-restoring wins
The result? A raw, honest rollercoaster that so many people in the T1D community will relate to.
When Schools Get It Wrong
Too often, school and Type 1 Diabetes clash due to poor training, lack of empathy, or outdated policies. The stories shared in this episode reflect the very real dangers that come from adults not understanding what T1D actually involves.
Here are just a few lowlights:
- A student told they’d get detention for treating a hypo
- A nurse refusing to give insulin, forcing a child to inject secretly in the toilets
- A teacher who denied a student toilet access during a high, resulting in an accident
- A school trip cancelled due to “lack of training” — leaving a child devastated and excluded
These stories reveal the serious risks that come when schools fail to understand Type 1 Diabetes. And they’re not isolated. This is happening to children right now — and it has to change.
When Schools Get It Right
But the episode isn’t all doom and gloom. Some stories show how beautiful it can be when school and Type 1 Diabetes are managed with empathy and proper support.
From teachers who stock hypo supplies in their drawers, to headteachers who sit with students through their first low, the good stories remind us that school can be a safe and empowering place for students with T1D.
Highlights include:
- Tutors who distribute T1D info sheets to all staff
- Private exam rooms with glucose ready, no questions asked
- PE teachers adapting activity plans so students can participate on their terms
- Friends learning the signs of hypos and jumping in to help
In these moments, Type 1 Diabetes at school doesn’t feel like a barrier — just another part of the day.
Real Talk from Mike and Jack
Mike and Jack don’t just read these stories — they bring their own. Mike shares a frightening experience from his school days when he blacked out from a hypo, walked home without remembering, and came to on the sofa with a banana in his hand.
Jack reflects on how misunderstood T1D still is, especially in school environments:
“Nobody actually understands how serious high or low blood sugar is. They just don’t get it — unless they’ve lived it.”
That’s what makes this episode so vital. If more people knew what it was really like managing Type 1 Diabetes in school, maybe fewer kids would be punished for trying to stay alive.
Why School and Type 1 Diabetes Needs Attention
This episode is more than a list of stories — it’s a call to action.
The connection between school and Type 1 Diabetes is often overlooked in broader conversations about education or chronic illness. Yet, for thousands of families, it’s a daily struggle.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student, understanding how to support T1D in a school setting is crucial. That starts with education, empathy, and listening to those with lived experience — like the ones featured in this episode.
Share Your Story
Do you have a personal experience with Type 1 Diabetes in school — good, bad, or in between?
Mike and Jack want to hear from you. Your voice could help raise awareness, push for better policies, or comfort someone going through the same thing.
📩 Email: wearet1dpodcast@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: @t1d_mike | @t1d_jack
🌍 Website: www.wearet1d.com
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Follow the show, drop a review, and share it with someone navigating school and Type 1 Diabetes. Together, we’re louder — and harder to ignore.
Useful Links:
🧠 Managing Diabetes at School – Diabetes UK
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