Kim Carlson

When diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 17, I was living on my own and working to finish my senior year of high school. I thought that I had been condemned to repeat the life of my mother who had suffered for years from a liver disease that took her life at the young age of 41. Just weeks ago I myself turned 41 and I am eternally grateful for finding The Chicago Project and its group of people with the intelligence and drive to help me change my destiny. In September of 2005 I received an islet transplant and within 5 weeks I was totally off of insulin for the first time in 22 years.

The islet transplant has made such a huge impact on my life. Some of the most normal things that someone without diabetes takes for granted have now become normal to me. I can now get into a car and drive, knowing that my blood sugar will not drop dangerously low and cause me to have an accident. This also allows me to go places by myself without my family worrying that I may pass out somewhere without them there to help me. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my son was 7 years old at the time. I had just gotten out of the shower and felt very tired. I went to lie down on the bed next to my son who was watching television. My next memory was waking up to find several paramedics surrounding me. I had passed out from low blood sugar and when my son realized what was happening he ran to the neighbor’s house to tell them and they called 911. Another way that my life has changed is that I can eat a meal without taking a shot of insulin hoping that it is sufficient for the amount that I have eaten and the activity that I have done that day. Before my transplant, I was constantly working to figure out what would keep my blood sugars at a normal level and I would always feel guilty that I could not control it. I can now look forward to seeing my children grow up because my diabetes is not causing damage to my eyes and other vital organs.

My experience with The Chicago Project has been wonderful! The doctors, nurses and support staff are the greatest and I could not have wished for any better. They are available any time, day or night, and have gone out of their way to help with any of my needs. I could not have gotten to where I am now with out the caring support of any of these people and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you,
Kim Carlson
To learn more about Kim Carlson’s Transplant you can view Chicago Suntimes news story by clicking here.