About Me.

Hi, I'm Kim Vlasnik. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1986 at the age of six, and with hypothyroidism in 2003. My diabetes utility belt includes my beloved Dexcom CGM (who I have affectionately named Jim), my Animas Ping insulin pump, and the occasional Humalog insulin pen.

Living with diabetes comes with enormous amounts of baggage. We deal with emotions, anxieties, and fears that most people have the luxury of never knowing. Until I found the diabetes online community (DOC) in late 2009, I had no idea how much I needed the support it can offer. For me, living with diabetes feels much more bearable when I think of it as a team sport.

I began writing Texting My Pancreas in the summer of 2010, and it's where I share my life with diabetes (and other shenanigans) - the good, the challenging, and the awkward. In addition to writing, I also create cartoons inspired by the commonalities shared by people with diabetes, as levity is my preferred method of dealing with all of this diabetes hullabaloo.

In June of 2011, I started the You Can Do This Project - an ongoing collection of videos from real people living with real diabetes. We're sharing the tough stuff about life with this disease, and letting others know that they never have to do this alone.

Some of the advocating I do in my free time includes work with the DSMA Advisory Board, the Diabetes Advocates program, and volunteering with JDRF. I frequently act as an advisor and consultant when diabetes advocacy and social media mix, and I want to help companies help people with diabetes. Connecting and sharing with people around all things diabetes is where my heart lives. If you'd like to hire me, let's talk! Send an email to textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com.

Other fun facts: I live in Nebraska with my More Awesome Half, Aaron. Coffee and I are best friends. I'm moderately obsessed with my dog, Billy Corgin, and Corgis in general. I mean, you really can't help it. JUST LOOK AT THEM.
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