YOUR STORIES Stefan Unić reveals the recipe for a happy life despite being diagnosed with diabetes at 23

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Social responsibility, proximity to citizens and readers, and allowing everyone's voice to be heard is one of the media's primary tasks. The Patria News Agency has clearly fulfilled its task to a good extent, as it is trusted. The human stories they send us increasingly show that we have not let down the citizens who read us.

We recently published the story of Armin Đono, a young man who has been fighting life battles since early childhood but has never lost spirit and has achieved everything. He contacted us, and we enabled his voice to be heard.

A new story arrived at Patria's editorial email today from Serbia. Stefan Unić tells us his story about being diagnosed with diabetes early and his life struggle, but also about his spirit that has clearly not faltered.

Young mechanical engineering student and innovator Stefan Unić is the most recognizable student and innovator in Serbia and a young scientist in the field of environmental protection. He began his innovation career when he was only 13 years old, and as the youngest among his elementary school peers, he went to Liechtenstein for the first time where he presented his work.

He describes himself as a "huge enthusiast" for science, and a large number of young people across Serbia and the world follow his work and activities.

Stefan is a world-renowned scientist in the field of environmental protection, and what Stefan says about himself is: "I am an athlete, I am a diabetic, I am a man who loves, I am Stefan" - begins Unić, whose life story can serve as an inspiration that there are no obstacles in life, only the strength of will to overcome them, perhaps even leap over them, and sometimes forget them.

Stefan Unić never diets but tries very hard to eat a balanced diet, and his favorite dish, as he says, is hummus.

"I like to treat myself to a healthy meal after a successful day, some achieved result, or a surge of positive energy. It's usually hummus. I adore it. I am an athletic type and have been swimming for seven years, I pay a lot of attention to a healthy lifestyle, and that's precisely why unhealthy things occasionally come as a reward, but it's very rare. When I'm in a bad mood, I go swimming, not to a pub. I have never overindulged in grilled specialties and unhealthy food; I manage to maintain a slim figure solely through a healthy lifestyle and daily exercise," says the young innovator who is battling diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 23.

Stefan doesn't like sweets, only healthy food. He has been mindful of his diet since he was fourteen, and Stefan explains why: "Because of diabetes, it taught me that hummus is my favorite dish. But it doesn't cause me any problems at all; I live with it like everyone else. I've been mindful since I was fourteen, and I was diagnosed with diabetes at 23. React immediately when you get diabetes; I couldn't believe I was diabetic at first. Diabetes was diagnosed through blood tests, but I later realized it's a part of me and doesn't present obstacles in my life. One of my best friends is a professional chef, and my parents are also excellent cooks. Their table is always abundant, and I only opt for salads and hummus. I try to maintain a balanced diet, and I exercise regularly. My list of favorite dishes is generally funny, but very creative."

Stefan is on a special diet due to his illness, but he says he is happy.

In search of an answer to why, he enrolled in mechanical engineering, which gave him the most answers. His cheerful spirit, he says, is not accidental, because a person must constantly work on their own happiness and desire for life, so it's not unusual that through his Instagram account, he wants to help people overcome the hardships that life can bring.

"Swimming has helped me become a better person," emphasizes this brave young man, whose life story few can remain indifferent to.

His parents are responsible for his struggle, joy, will, and victory in life, primarily his mother, who, as Stefan says, raised him to be a better person.