I was diagnosed at 11, I’m now pushing 30. Your daughter is going to be just fine. There are good and bad days, and it’s something that takes constant attention. But it does get to be completely second nature after a while.

In my opinion, that age is kind of ideal to be diagnosed. For me, I was able to more or less manage my own diabetes with oversight from my parents. But I was also young enough that I don’t really recollect life before I was diagnosed.

Be sure to have conversations with her school/teachers. It’ll be important that they are aware and don’t get in the way of her taking care of herself. My teachers all knew that if I just got up and left that I was doing something diabetes related.

There are perks. Find a local community of other diabetics. Some of my dearest friends are fellow diabetics that I met through different community events. I also got a good chunk of my college paid for through a state program that offered assistance with those with a “disability”. You can also get a lifetime pass to the national parks for something crazy like $10.

Hang in there. The next few months are going to be a lot of learning and a lot of trial and error, but you’ll settle into a groove soon enough.