Child on the verge of ending schooling - "A sense of unease prevails"

In the heart of Germany, a contentious issue has arisen in the city of Stuttgart, revolving around the provision of school accompaniment for a young child named Era, who has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Era, like one in 500 children in Germany, is among those who grapple with this chronic condition. Her medical needs, particularly the management of an insulin pump, necessitate special attention during school hours. However, Stuttgart City Council has refused to share the costs for Era's school accompaniment, citing the absence of any additional impairment.

The Olgahospital of the Klinikum Stuttgart treats over 400 young patients, 95% of whom have Type 1 diabetes. In the city itself, school accompaniment is currently provided for approximately 20 to 25 elementary school children with diabetes, including some third-graders.

The majority of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes fall between the ages of 7 and 11, and 70% are treated with an insulin pump. Despite this, Era's elementary school in a Stuttgart suburb remains unincluded in the plans for the addition of two more small school locations in the upcoming school year.

The reason? There is no school health professional available to replace the school accompaniment at Era's school. The health insurance company has approved 78.25 euros per day for Era's care, a sum that falls short of what is required for an assistant.

The parents of Era submitted their application for an extension of the school accompaniment in February, but it was rejected on June 16, prompting them to file a lawsuit on August 7.

In an effort to support the integration of children with Type 1 diabetes in kindergartens and schools, the organization Diabetes-Kids, founded by Michael Bertsch, offers a large German-speaking community, events, and exchange for affected families. The city of Stuttgart has introduced school health professionals at some locations, with positive experiences reported.

This issue has sparked a heated debate, with many raising questions about the city's responsibility towards children with special medical needs and the need for a more comprehensive approach to the integration of these children in educational settings.