What if learning about type 1 diabetes (T1D) felt more like playing a game than studying a textbook?
Level One: A Diabetes Game was created by game developer Sam Glassenberg and his company, Level Ex. After Sam’s daughter was diagnosed with T1D at age five, he wanted to help people better understand the many factors involved in managing the autoimmune disease. His family’s story and the inspiration behind the game were recently featured by CNN.
If you’ve ever played a physics puzzler on your phone, Level One’s gameplay will feel familiar. As different foods come down the conveyor belt, you dose insulin and juice to keep blood sugar in range. You won’t always get it right… and that’s okay! The beauty of Level One is that it lets you experiment and learn what you’re doing without real-world consequences.
The game is designed to help players better understand the many factors involved in managing T1D. And it’s not just for people who are new to the condition. Even those with years of experience can learn something new. We asked Reese Larson, age 15, who lives with T1D, and her dad, Josh Larson, National Director, Breakthrough T1D Play, to share their thoughts on the game.
Josh Larson with daughter Reese
Reese said, “When I first played the game, it was really hard! It educates on how many factors go into managing T1D, and reminds me to give myself grace as no two days are exactly the same.”
Josh said, “When I first heard the concept for the game years ago, my immediate response was ‘YES!’. I wish this game existed when Reese was diagnosed. And I still learned things — I never really understood ketones and now have a visualization that stays with me when we are testing for them in real life.”
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, caring for someone with T1D, or looking for a fun game that teaches the basics of T1D management, Level One offers an interactive way to learn. Join Reese and Josh and give the game a try!
Ready to start playing? Download Level One for free:
• Download for iOS
• Download for Android
Learn more about this game at playlevelone.com.
Learn more about Breakthrough T1D Play at play.breakthrought1d.org.