Girl With Diabetes Barred From Diksmuide Summer Playground

An 8-year-old girl from Diksmuide, West Flanders, has been refused further participation in the Zonnestraal summer playground program after organizers cited concerns about managing her Type 1 diabetes — a decision that has sparked public outrage and renewed debate about inclusion policies for children with chronic medical conditions in recreational activities.

Anaïs, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in spring 2026, attended the program for two days in early July before her parents received a phone call informing them she was no longer welcome. Her mother, Sarah Feys (39), a trained nurse, had informed the organizers about her daughter’s condition two months before the program began and was initially told it would not be a problem.

The Family’s Ordeal

“That news hit particularly hard,” Feys told Het Laatste Nieuws. “Anaïs knows perfectly well what to do when her pump indicates her sugar levels are dropping. We can also monitor everything closely from a distance via our smartphone.”

Anaïs uses a continuous glucose monitor (sensor) and an insulin pump that automatically administers insulin. Her parents can monitor her glucose levels remotely via smartphone — technology that Feys argues minimizes the burden on caregivers.

“No child should be excluded because of a medical condition,” Feys said. “Inclusion should not just be a nice word, but must be realized in practice.” She noted that across Flanders, children with diabetes successfully participate in summer programs every summer.

The City’s Rationale

Mayor Koen Coupillie (Actie!) defended the decision, framing it as a safety and responsibility issue rather than discrimination. According to VRT NWS, the city consulted the Vlaamse Dienst Speelpleinwerk (Flemish Playground Service) for advice before making its determination.

“The decision was not made because a child has Type 1 diabetes,” Coupillie said. “It was made after thoroughly examining whether our playground program, within its current organization, could safely and permanently guarantee the necessary medical follow-up.”

The mayor pointed out that most of the playground monitors are 15 or 16 years old and lack medical training. Belgium has strict regulations regarding medication administration and the legal status of a “competent assistant,” which prevents young monitors from taking on medical responsibilities.

“We bear responsibility not only for the children but also for our monitors, who are often still very young and should not end up in a situation where they cannot be adequately supported,” Coupillie told VRT NWS.

Expert Criticism

Medical experts have pushed back against the city’s reasoning. Reporting by KW (Krant van West-Vlaanderen) characterized the mayor’s decision as stemming from a lack of knowledge about modern diabetes management. Experts argue that with proper agreements and limited support, children with Type 1 diabetes can participate fully in playground activities.

Broader Implications

The incident has ignited a wider conversation about the tension between safety regulations and inclusion goals in Flemish recreational programs. Public reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly supportive of the family, with hundreds of messages of solidarity. However, comment sections on news articles reveal divided opinions: many call the decision discriminatory, while others argue the city is rightly cautious given legal liability and the young age of monitors.

Sarah Feys hopes the case will spark a societal debate. “No child should feel excluded because of an illness they did not choose,” she wrote.

What’s Next

A meeting was scheduled for Monday, July 13, between Mayor Coupillie and the pediatric diabetes team from AZ Brugge hospital to explore possible solutions. The city has also been investigating temporary alternatives. Because Anaïs’s next scheduled attendance is not until later in the week, there is time for the discussions to conclude before a decision must be made.

The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how other Flemish municipalities handle similar situations, highlighting the need for clear guidelines that balance legal liability with every child’s right to participate.