JDRF "kid reporter" Jenna Queenan interviewed international delegates at the 2003 JDRF Children's Congress in Washington, D.C..

Q:  What advice would you give to a child who was recently diagnosed with diabetes?

A: I would say that it would get better. As long as you do as the doctor tells you, you will be just fine.
—Pernille, 17, Denmark

A: The first thing I would say to a child just diagnosed with diabetes is one day you will not have diabetes anymore. The first thing I thought when I arrived in the hospital was that diabetes is for all your life, but when I spoke with some doctors they said research progress is really wonderful and is going very quickly. So one day maybe we will not have diabetes anymore.
—Sophie, 16, Belgium

A: Diabetes is not a problem. Once you get used to the insulin shots and blood tests, it's all right.
—Nicholas, 7, England

A: I'd tell them not to worry about it and to live like a normal kid.
—Cassandra, 10, Australia

A: I would say you could have a normal life. You just have to be aware of what you eat and all that stuff. Normally you can have a normal life. You don't have to be sad because you have diabetes, because there are many people who can be supportive for you.
—Simon, 17,  Belgium

A: Not to let it stop you from doing anything. That it's (diabetes) not an obstacle. You can basically do anything.
—Alexandra, 16, Canada

A: I guess I could say that it's kind of annoying, and you'll have a rough time, especially at the beginning. It's not an easy life at all, but it's such a mature issue. It gets you such a maturity all of the sudden. You'll be much more responsible and much more adult, but it's not horrible at all. You'll get a lot of advantages also. Your life can be exactly the same if you want it to. I guess that's all.
—Alon, 16, Israel