Meet Kim
From one Family’s journey to a community of support.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11. At a routine doctor visit, I casually mentioned a few symptoms I was experiencing. I will never forget the days to follow. It was the first time I experienced the impact this disease can have on your life. At that time the impact seemed huge, but I would grow up to learn the weight type 1 diabetes can have on your life.
My family was scheduled to go on our yearly vacation for the summer. I remember the drive, stopping at a payphone to call for my lab results. Returning to the car, my mom told me we had to turn around so I could be admitted to the hospital. I thought she was joking. I still remember my brother being so upset, saying I had ruined our vacation. I was terrified and had no idea what was ahead.
Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was. Most children with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed after becoming very sick, often in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can be life-threatening. When I was admitted, my blood sugar was only 251 — much lower than most newly diagnosed kids. I was thankful that even at a young age, I was able to speak up about symptoms that didn’t seem right.
In the hospital, I learned what it meant to live with diabetes. I practiced giving insulin injections on oranges before moving on to my parents and finally to myself. I will never forget a visit from a resident doctor who wasn’t involved in my care. He only stopped by my room out of kindness and concern for me and my family, letting us know he had type 1 diabetes too and not to worry, I would be okay — a message I desperately needed to hear.
After my diagnosis, my dad got us involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (now Breakthrough T1D). As a family, we spent several years participating in their Walk for a Cure events, and I eventually became a junior ambassador. That was my first real exposure to fundraising and volunteering on a larger scale. I discovered how much I enjoyed helping people and connecting with other families going through the same journey. Those early experiences planted a seed in me — I knew I wanted to do something to make a difference one day. This passion for helping others eventually led me to become a nurse where I’ve spent many years providing diabetic education to patients.
At first, managing diabetes felt doable. But as the years went on, I started to feel burnt out. During my teenage years, I didn’t always take the best care of myself. I skipped injections, ate what I wanted, and ignored my blood sugars. I was also reluctant to try new treatments and technology that could have helped me manage better. I worried about what other people would think when they saw my diabetes devices. As an athletic kid, I was afraid that wearing a pump or sensor would get in the way during sports or get ripped off. I simply didn’t have enough education or support at the time, and I wish I had someone to guide me through those decisions and show me that these tools could actually give me more freedom and control.
Growing up with diabetes didn’t just affect me — it affected my entire family. Because I wasn’t taking care of myself, I had many hospitalizations that could have been avoided. I put my family through so much unnecessary worry and stress. They had to watch me struggle and often felt helpless. Those experiences shaped me and are a big reason why I’m so passionate about supporting not just kids with diabetes, but their families too.
It wasn’t until I became a nurse and truly understood the long-term impact of my choices that I started taking better care of myself. Unfortunately, by then, some damage was already done.
Looking back, I realize how much I could have benefited from a stronger support system and more guidance in those early years. That’s why I started Sugar Smart Kids — to give children and their families the support, education, and community I wish I had. My goal is to empower kids to make healthy choices early on, embrace new technologies with confidence, and feel less alone on this journey.
Through this nonprofit, I hope to inspire kids to take ownership of their health, build confidence, and know that they can still chase every dream, even with type 1 diabetes.
