Another new year, another new group of freshmen coming to Niles West. Like many, they worry about finding their classes, making new friends, and keeping up with homework. For freshman Shameel Tabassum these tasks matter, but so does checking his blood sugar between P.E. and English classes, or remembering if he put on insulin before lunch. At just 14, he’s been balancing high school chaos with the added responsibility of living with Type 1 Diabetes.
“The hardest part of managing my diabetes in my freshman year so far is actually leveling my sugar levels. Keeping the range to be at 100 or around 170 mg/dL. And compared to middle school, I had a lot of help and support from nurses, but now I know I can’t rely on nurses. So what I do is keep an emergency food pack with me and medical tools that I will need to keep an eye on my diabetes,” Tabassum said.
After graduating from middle school, Tabassum understands he needs to be more self-reliant when it comes to monitoring blood sugar. However, since he has experience being a diabetic patient it does not worry him.
“I’ve had diabetes for almost 8 years and I have experience with the new dexcom technology,” Tabassum said.
Specifically, Tabassum uses the new G7 dexcom which allows him to see a real time glucose reading sent automatically to his phone every few minutes using direct bluetooth. He uses that same dexcom app to give himself insulin.
“Whenever my blood sugar does become high or low, my friends and teachers will ask if I am okay, or if I need anything. I appreciate them asking, but most of the time I can manage on my own. But if I need their help, I will ask for it,” Tabassum said.
Even with Tabassum’s responsibility, he still acknowledges the support of his friends and teachers at school.
“I’ve seen him adapt to many challenges, or a new environment very quickly. He’s learned that active scale of communication he’s done really well with… advocating for his own needs. He’s really good at problem solving on the spot. And like I said, he uses these skills that he knows, and he has. Prioritizing, makes his freshman year start off strong and keep it strong while also making him much more mature than other freshmen,” older sister of Tabassum Alishba Yousaf said.
Social studies teacher Maxine Lapin reflects on how Tabassum’s condition bleeds into his behavior at school.
“He’s a serious student. He is always paying attention. I think that he has a huge sense of responsibility because he’s had to take care of his own health needs… He takes that responsibility into every part of his life, so he is an invested, organized student,” Lapin said.
Despite Tabassum’s diabetic state, it won’t stop him from experiencing a fulfilling and happy year at West. His resilience keeps him going no matter what. Just one step forward, and one check at a time.
