When Diašlabikár first appeared in Slovakia in 2013, it was something new and necessary — a practical handbook for parents of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Written by Peter Herceg, a father determined to help others understand what had just entered their lives. It became a quiet reference point in pediatric diabetology.

When you write your own book, all the words are yours — and so is the story. But when you step into a story that started long before you, it becomes something bigger — a shared space of trust, courage, and gratitude.

In 2025, I had the privilege to contribute to the new Slovak educational book “Diabetes: Tips and Tricks” — a continuation of the historic project that began in 2013, when Diašlabikár was born. The author, Peter Herceg, wrote it as a father for his daughter Zuzana, and for every parent who suddenly found themselves learning a new language — the language of diabetes. Twelve years later, I joined this project for the same reason — for a child. For my daughter Mia, for her siblings, and for every parent standing where we once stood: in uncertainty, but also in hope.

A bridge between generations and worlds

The new edition of the book preserves its original spirit while opening the door to the reality of 2025. The text I stepped into was, in many ways, still the same Slovak tradition of health education — precise, didactic, and restrained. But the world around it had changed. In 2025, families can now read about the prevention of late-onset disease, screening for type 1 diabetes, immunotherapy, transplants, and mental health. And of course, some technologies are very dynamically transforming diabetes care today. These include open-source automated insulin delivery systems, as well as the growing involvement of people living with diabetes in research, in shaping approaches to care, and in advocating for their own needs.

My role was to weave these new realities into a familiar structure without disrupting its rhythm. Alongside factual explanations, I included insights from my ongoing learning through ISPAD, ATTD, ADA, and INNODIA — and above all from shared experiences with people I meet in the Loop and Learn and dedoc° communities, as well as in countless discussions across continents. They all carry the same quiet truth: science in diabetes has no meaning without empathy, and empathy has no strength without access to knowledge.

Thanks to years of work in the field, I was able to bring a piece of this world into the Slovak book — the latest insights, current therapeutic approaches, and the voices of those who live with diabetes every day. Because science matters — but people matter even more.

The introduction of the book speaks directly, and its words deeply resonate with parents who have only just faced the diagnosis:

„It is not your fault. And it certainly does not mean that your child’s world will become smaller. Life with diabetes is not easy, but it is not the end of all dreams either. With insulin, the right information, and support, your child can manage anything — just like other children. And you will learn how to do it together.“

…….

„Words have power and can shape reality. If a child repeatedly hears that they are ‘sick,’ ‘limited,’ or ‘different,’ they may come to believe it. But if we show them that diabetes is just one part of who they are — something they can manage like other challenges in life — they will grow up more confident and stronger. Your main task in the coming months will not only be to learn how to count carbohydrates and administer insulin, but also to prepare your child for the fact that they may encounter ignorance and prejudice in life.”

…….

„Parents before you felt the same confusion and had the same fears, but step by step they learned — and suddenly realized they were capable of much more than they had thought at the beginning. Your child will not have to give up their dreams. They will laugh, run, travel, and explore the world — they will simply learn to take care of their diabetes along the way. And you will be their guide on this journey. It will not always be easy, but it does not have to be the obstacle that defines your life. Every day, every glucose check, every dose of insulin is not just a duty. It is a way to give your child the freedom to live life fully. And when the time comes to look back, you will see how much you have achieved together.”

These lines are not instructions, but reassurance that knowledge and confidence will come with time. This is not a manual to be memorized, but a map to help with orientation. Across more than 400 pages, the book guides readers from the introduction and classification of diabetes through its complications, treatment, controls, and day-to-day management, all the way to living with a person with type 1 diabetes in the family, practical tips and tricks, and finally research and new approaches in diabetes care.
The book also continues to include chapters by Klaudia Šugrová, who has been a co-author of the project since its very first edition. Her years of work as a nutrition nurse, particularly in the Nitra region, have shaped how nutrition education and care for children with diabetes are taught in Slovakia today. A significant contribution from a leading figure not only of the Slovak scientific community is the closing article by Igor Lacík from the Institute of Polymers of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

World Diabetes Day on Spiš was truly world-class!

During World Diabetes Day, Peter introduced the book to people who truly understand what it means to help out of conviction and with love — the Spišiačik community. It was a moment of joy, gratitude, and togetherness after years of work to which many hands and hearts contributed.
This moment was beautifully captured by Marek Straka in his video report (around the 14th minute, you can also find me), and the accompanying article can be found here.

The new book Diabetes: Tips and Tricks is not perfect. It is unique. It carries traces of different styles, perspectives, and generations — and that is exactly what makes it real. It reminds us that it is always worth it if the result helps someone take their first step.
That is why every family whose child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes by the end of 2027 can request a free copy of the printed book. Every pediatric diabetes clinic in Slovakia will receive one copy for the physician and one for the nurse. Along with the printed publication, there is also an e-book, which is likewise available to download at any time, free of charge at Martinus.sk. In addition to the traditional Slovak edition, another major new feature is that the book is also available in English and Hungarian.

The book release also comes with its own official website diatips.com.

This book was created entirely without financial compensation and is not sold. Shipping costs within Slovakia are up to €5, so if you wish, you may support the project in any way — even with a symbolic contribution — and help to deliver the book to newly diagnosed children throughout 2026 and 2027. If you’d like to have the english version write me here.

IBAN: SK85 7500 0000 0040 3005 4606 Združenie rodičov a priateľov diabetických detí http://www.diatips.com

To every reader — may this book help you breathe a little easier, trust a little more, and believe that your child’s world will only continue to expand from here. 💙

Mirka