Life
Greetings! My name is Allison Blass. I started Lemonade Life in the summer of 2005 to chronicle my life as a twentysomething living with diabetes. Now I chronicle about my life as a twentysomething, who just happens to have diabetes too.
I’m a bit of a social media maven. When I’m not writing Lemonade Life, I work on the interactive team of a healthcare public relations agency in New York City. Basically my job is to help my clients tell their story online, whether that’s reaching out to bloggers or creating a corporate presence on a social network like Facebook. I spend a lot of time online, hanging out at places like Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.
Although I’m an East Coaster now, I was born and raised in Oregon. I consider myself bicoastal. I grew up with two loving parents and a younger brother, who is now a sophomore in college. He does not have diabetes.
My passions include photography, travel and exploring New York City. I love museums, and live within walking distance of the American Natural History Museum. I love Central Park and photographing trees. I am a fan of coffeeshops, but haven’t found a replacement for my college hang-out quite yet. I go to Broadway shows more than the average person and I watch movies like they’re going out of style. I am a Christian and I try to follow my faith the best I can. I also love spending time with my fiance, Erik, and planning our wedding, which will take place in July 2011.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in January 1994 when I was 8 years old. I currently use a Medtronic Minimed insulin pump and Continuous Glucose Monitor.
I have worked as a diabetes advocate for many years, as founder of Diabetes Teen Talk and host of Teen Talk on Diabetes Station. I have been a mentor with JDRF’s Online Diabetes Support Team since its inception in 2002, and I was a JDRF Children’s Congress delegate in 2001. I have also written for Diabetes Self-Management and Diabetes Health magazines.
I love meeting new people and I occasionally host meet-ups. I would love to meet you! Drop me a line at amblass at gmail.com.
Cheers,
Allison
(Updated: 6/10/10)
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. :)