"The protection instinct of some parents can stop the autonomy of children with diabetes"

The normalization of a pathology that entails certain alterations in people's lifestyle is a necessary but nothing easy.Introducing healthy diets, glucose measurement schedules and periodic medications are some of the routines that have to incorporate people with diabetes into their lives.

If for adults it becomes an arduous task, for children it is even more complicated.That is why initiatives such as CUP diabetes, organized by Lilly and the Spanish Diabetes Federation (Fede) help normalize diabetes and get children to suffer from this pathology do not feel different from the rest.Fernando de la Torre, president of the Federation of Diabetics of the Valencian Community (Fedicova).

What consists of the Diabetes Cup project promoted by Lilly and Fede?

CUP diabetes is a project that this year celebrates its fifth edition.This is a children's soccer tournament with diabetes between 8 and 12 years throughout Spain.A registration period was opened in which the children had to send us a letter, video or image explaining why they wanted to participate and, among them, 80 were selected this year three Valencian children will participate: Joel Rodríguez, Ángel Raezand Áxel Parra.

What is the main objective of the initiative?

We want children to share experiences with others with those who share the same reality, that of diabetes.In this way they can understand that they are not the only ones with diabetes and that there are others with the same problem.All this through sport.

This is the fifth edition of the tournament, how was the experience in previous years?

Children come out with another perception of things, they understand that they are not alone, and this serves them a lot in a day -to -day basis.It is a very positive experience.I can also ensure that friends are formed that last a lot in time, and more now with social networks and mobiles.Although they are from different communities they remain in contact through parents.

What barriers can a child face with this pathology?

Diabetes does not have to influence them when performing a physical activity.Both we from Fedicova and endocrinologists have the goal of getting these children to lead a normalized life.They should not have any difficulty when practicing the sport they like.

But it is clear that some aspects such as blood glucose measurements before performing exercise can be an inconvenience.

The main work that should be done is to mentalize the child to see diabetes as normal.Do not be ashamed to have to measure themselves.That is why we invite you to live together and talk to your classmates, and we also give them information so that they understand their pathology and do not feel discriminated against at any time.

Is this point where they have an important role initiatives such as Cup diabetes?

Of course.Thanks to Lilly who undertook this initiative for five years 320 children have shown that they can play football at the level of their teammates and that diabetes is not a brake.

Could we say that in this case sport not only has obvious physical but also psychological benefits?

Every sport, whatever it is, is fundamental in the theme of diabetes.Each person must adjust to the one who best responds to their possibilities and with whom they feel more identified.The project has chosen football, but it could have been anyone.

You make a lot of incidence in the appearance of diets.In fact, a healthy snack workshop is planned.To what extent is food important?

The diet is a crucial part.The event will attend professionals who will teach them to know food and how they influence their day to day.The good part of this iswhich is something that transcends beyond Cup diabetes. The knowledge they acquire is for a lifetime.

And are they able to understand and apply this knowledge?Isn't too much information for such young children?

They have a lot of capacity to acquire the knowledge we provide.We are aware that food is a complex issue: quick absorption sugars, slow absorption, etc.But experience tells us that children do before with the concepts that parents themselves.

In order to avoid future problems, diet is a fundamental aspect, but are there other precautions to take?

The main precaution they must adopt is the measurement of blood glucose before starting physical activity.Another important aspect is to know the symptoms that this pathology has when a sport is practiced.With the help of doctors and experts who attend the event, children begin to discover how their body behaves in the face of extreme situations, they can react more quickly.

Precisely, you give much importance to autonomy.

Both nationally and regionally, Fede mainly seeks the independence of the child.Many times the problem is not in the child, but in the father.The protection instinct and the desire that nothing happens to them, leads them to overprotect and can eventually restrain them a little.What we are looking for is for the child to be totally autonomous and use by himself.

Here doctors are important.

Yes, they provide security to parents, because they see that children are continuously accompanied and in good hands.

Parents cannot always be with their children ...

No. In addition, regardless of sport, the child must have a social life, surround himself with friends, and in these situations you have to integrate as one more.It is what we try to achieve: that they are independent and assume their pathology as soon as possible.

How do you promote this independence?

Children have workshops and talks by endocrine and nutritionists.Of course also with sport.Through this they establish the social relations we were talking about before.

They also have an incentive to sleep with their teammates, because they will stay in the rooms of La Roja in the city of Las Rozas football, right?

Clear.In the end, everything is reduced to the same thing: that they live with other boys with diabetes to share experiences.

This year three Valencian children participate, but there are 80 children from all over Spain.Is the prevalence of diabetes very high in these ages?

The indices are similar to Europeans.Even so, there are data that say that around 10,000 children under 15 have diabetes in Spain, and another 1,200 new diagnoses are joined every year.It is important that they all feel that they are integrated and have no limitations.Thus we will gradually win diabetes.