Diabetes who?

My project is a fun and educational board game designed for children and adolescents living with Type 1 Diabetes, whether they’re newly diagnosed or not. The game is based on five animated characters, each representing a stage of grief. Through play, participants are introduced to the emotional characteristics of each stage and are encouraged to reflect on and identify with their own experiences. The game is simple: two players draw a character card at random and take turns asking each other about the characters’ emotional traits. By ruling out those that don’t fit, they eventually guess which character (or grief stage) the other player has. This interactive dynamic allows young people to recognize and talk about their emotions in a safe, playful environment. By supporting children and adolescents in understanding and processing the grief associated with diabetes, the game helps them move more smoothly toward acceptance. Reaching acceptance sooner is linked to better diabetes self-management and greater motivation to learn about other aspects of care. Ultimately, this project aims to reduce both short- and long-term complications, while fostering emotional resilience and empowerment in young people living with Type 1 Diabetes in Mexico.