Life
Hi. My name is Allison. You probably found this blog because you or someone you know has diabetes. I have diabetes too.I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on January 27, 1994 when I was eight years old. At age 15, I applied on a whim to be a Children’s Congress delegate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. They picked me to be one of two delegates from Oregon. My mom and I flew to Washington D.C. to talk about living with diabetes and I haven’t stopped since.
In high school, I spent a lot of time on the Internet (as most kids these days do) and my dad encouraged me to spend my time online doing something productive. At age 16, I started CureNow, an online magazine about research and advocacy. During senior year in high school, I was hired as the Youth Programs Manager at Diabetes Portal, Inc. The company closed just before my junior year in college. I knew there were very few resources for teens with diabetes, so in January 2006, I launched Diabetes Teen Talk. I sold it to dLife in May 2006, though I stayed as content producer until May 2007.
I currently work as a freelance writer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and a number of other publications. I also in the process of resurrecting the currently out-of-date Diabetes O.C. Directory. I believe that positive things can come from living with diabetes, which is why my blog is named for the phrase “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade!”
I was born and raised in Oregon with my parents and younger brother. In June 2007, I graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Journalism, with an emphasis in Public Relations. I live in New Jersey where I work at a PR agency.
I love the written word, so I can often be found browsing blogs or a bookstore, with my head in a book or penning my own prose or poetry. I am a travel fanatic and plan on purchasing the book 1,0001 Places to See Before You Die and completing it. I collect shotglasses. I love theater, museums, and people-watching at cafes and parks.
I love meeting new people and I would love to meet you! Drop me a line at amblass at gmail.com.
peace, love and hope for a cure,
Allison
(Updated: 4/18/08 )
Allison I miss chatting with you, Im glad I found the new blog. I hope the move went well.. hope we get to talk soon..
Ernie
Hi Allison. Impressive bio! How wonderful you started diabetes advocacy so early in your life! BTW, I submitted by blog to the OC Directory twice (a while ago) and haven’t heard anything back. Would you mind letting me know what I need to do to be added and how to make the final cut? My blog is http://amyliagrace.blogspot.com. You can email me at amyliagrace at yahoo dot com. Thanks, Allison!
Hey Allison
What year did you go to Children’s Congress?
I was a Children’s Congress delegate for NJ in 1999! It was a great experience, probably one of the best memories I have is singing “Promise to Remember Me” on the steps in front of the white house with over 100 kids/teens with diabetes!!
Dear Allison,
I’m thinking about getting a pump. All my other diabetic friends say their great but I’m still unsure. I could really use your advice and anyone elses. I’d really appreciate it!!!! And if anyone has any info. on them that would be great to know please fill me in!
I love the blogosphere… you pitched me about UA and now I see that you are a social media maven! In only a matter of minutes you can learn a lot about someone! I’ll be reading and welcome to the East Coast!
I love that you named you blog after that saying! I think it is such a positive to approach life (even though it may not seem very positive at first glance). Your dedication and positivity are truly admirable.