“Wait,soitwillbelikeI’maKardashian?!”Ahugesmilespreadacrossherface,exposingasatisfiedlookofexcitement.Wenolongerhadtoworryaboutinvasionofprivacyorfindingawillingcandidate:KimberlyChisholmwas willing and ready for the challenge. With an iced tea in one hand and a peach in the other, Kimberly nod-ded her head, exposing the streaks of pink in her otherwise blonde hair. Between bites she explored angles with excitement:A43yearoldwomancontemplatingBotox,whatit’slikehavingateenagerwithTypeIDiabetes,ahopelesswriterfindingtimetothriveathercomputer,andlifeasatypicalmomofthree.Millingovertheideaswebegan to photograph her artsy space. Kimberly laughed, “ I have to warn you, I’m the most un-photogenic person alive...” Scanning the walls of realist art, we begin to crawl throughout the room, stepping over soccer balls, picture books,andalonelyguitar.Crouchedonthefloorphotographingapairofoldrollerskates,myfacefrozeinplaceas the door swung open to reveal a teenage boy, muddy and sweaty from soccer, and a husband perplexed at the two strangers photographing his home. Without hesitation Kimberly glances in our direction, “ Oh this is Hannah andNikki,they’redoingadocumentaryonme.We’regoingtoberealityTVstars!”

Kimberly Chisholm

Kimberly Ford Chisholm at a Juvinile Diabetes Research Foundation Event.

Profile By: Hannah Hansen

Beyond Kimberly’s fun and enthusiastic persona lies a deeper purpose and meaning. Kimberly understands all too well the story of the approximately three million AmericanswhohaveTypeIDia-betes and the roughly 80 people per day who are diagnosed with thechronicillness(JDRF).KimberlyChisholm’ssonisoneofthethreemillion who have to live with this medical issue, and Kimberly is one of the many parents who have to assist in the complete lifestyle change it requires. Expanding her role from

mother, to nutritionist, to research expert, to mother of a teenager. Kimberly has effortlessly molded into the countless roles that have fallen upon her. Experiencing such a change caused Kimberly to emerge asamuchmorerefinedindividualand mother. As a mother, Kimberly can relate to the countless carpools, sports practices, and the undy-ing struggle to have family dinner togethereverynight.ButastheVPofResearchforJDRF,Kimberlycandiscuss the most pressing issues

with endocrinologists and suggest channels for further research and hope. As a writer she relates to theconstantunfinishedprojectofpassion and the soothing nature of expressing your emotions through language. Kimberly stands as more thanjustafriend,butisawomanwho embodies the strength and talent in a new age of mothers. She stands as a glimmer of spunky and positive hope that mothers strug-gling through their own individual trials can look towards for inspira-tion.Herconstantjuggleofroles

doesnotdefineher,butyetat-tempttodescribeheramazingtalent and drive. Growing up in the small and privileged city of Atherton, Kimberly Chisholmwasthegirlthathaditall. Born into a loving family with the world as her oyster. With an extensive repertoire of schools on herresume,including;DartmouthCollege,UniversityofPennsylvania,andUCBerkeleysheseemedonthe fast track to success. By the time she met Bill, the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome,

and handsome, and her future hus-band; her three adorable children only added bliss and happiness to her life. As a writer she had received recognition as both a novelist and columnist. Yet Kimberly still felt uneasy about her perfect life, “I had this sense that something terrible was going to happen and I think part of it was that nothing terrible ever had and then suddenly the othershoedidfall...”(Chisholm). OnNovember30,2009Kimberly’s son, Will, was diagnosed withTypeIDiabetes.Inadditiontohis diagnosis her husband had to have heart surgery, Kimberly her-self had a heightened medical issue, and her mother had a growth that was considered to be cancerous. ThroughoutthesetimesKimberlystayed as a strong constant in her children’s’ lives. In the process of coping with Will’s diagnosis, Kimber-lyfoundoutaboutJDRF,JuvenileDiabetesResearchFoundation.Shebecame actively involved in the organization,whichshereferredtoas her “lifeline,” by taking on roles as bothVPoftheSpringFlingfundrais-erandVPofresearchforthegreat-er Bay Area chapter. Kimberly also writesaweeklyblogforJDRFandshares her challenges as a mother of achildwithTypeI.Kimberlyreflectsfondlyontheorganizationsheissostronglyinvolvedin:“Themomentthat someone is diagnosed they be-come a part of a community, we call it the best club you never wanted to belong to. You’re part of a commu-nity where the day-to-day issues are similarforeveryone…”(Chisholm).Kimberly’s life has not slowed down, but instead sped up with Will enter-ing high school, presenting a whole new myriad of concerns and issues. Like any parent Kimberly wants to let Will have independence, but is equally concerned with Will’s health

equally concerned with Will’s health andwellbeing.Herstruggletofindthe medium between all the facets of her life continues, yet Kimberly doesamagnificentjobinperform-ingthebalancingactflawlessly. ItwasNovember30th,2009andKimberlyhadjustdrivenherson, Will to their family pediatrician because Will had been urinating excessively and feeling a little off. Sitting in the white walled and almost suffocating room, Kimberly and Will were unsure of what it meant when the doctor informed them there was sugar in the urine. What did sugar in the urine mean? Kimberly recounts Will’s eyes widen-ing as he looked at her, questioning what the extra sugar could mean. When the doctor further explained WillhadTypeIDiabetes,Kimberlyremembers a complete moment of disbelief. Will’s eyes seem to draw him back to that very doctors room

as he tells the story of his diagnosis. Willremembers,“Itwasjustdev-astating.” Will and Kimberly’s life would forever be changed in that moment. Kimberly’s role became much more active and her struggles much more tangible, “When you leave the hospital with a newborn baby there are lot of questions in mind but you sort of have this sense that you’ll be able to do most of it pretty well. But When you leave the hospital with a kid who has TypeIDiabetesyou’reessential-ly having to function as that kids pancreas…”(Chisholm).TypeIisalife-threatening disease that her son now had to deal with (Washing-tonTimes).Ifmatterscouldn’tgetworse, the pediatrician told Will he would never be able to have candy again, a fact that is really a myth of TypeIDiabetes.Imaginingaworldwithout candy, Will’s face dropped

questioning if he could really live without sugar, while simultaneously Kimberly’s brain spun with what she needed to do mold to the situa-tion. Her son was suffering from an illness, which virtually starved his body of essential and needed en-ergy(Basile).Themomentshegothome she ordered a giant endocri-nology book that she would later study and absorb for the sake of her son. Kimberly’s life was forever changed within the bland walls of thedoctor’soffice,butbecauseof her nature her life was merely changed, not controlled. Kimberly has always had an aspirationforherlife:lettheskybe the limit. Oh cliché you say? But how can that phrase be cliché when Kimberly takes on new roles with new vigor and excitement each day?Kimberlyjumpsinheadfirstinevery aspect of her life. She never backs down and always succeeds in

herventures.Kimberlyisn’tperfect,andI’msureshehasherflaws,butshe’shuman.Weallhaveflaws,butwhatmakesapersonremarkableiswhentheyusetheirflawstotheiradvantageandusethemtobuildtheirstrengths.It’s hard to imagine Kimberly accomplishing more than she has already managed to conquer, but nonetheless Kimberly has plans that involve every aspect of her life. She hopes for the success of her children and has the hope theywillfindjoyandhappinessindoingwhattheyloveandbeingwhotheyareeveryday.ShelookstothefuturewithhopesofcontinuingtoimprovetheconditionswiththosewithTypeI,andeventuallyacureforTypeIdiabe-tes. She holds the ideal to continue to write and read and express herself through literature. And she hopes to continue to learn, grow and thrive each day. Kimberly does not need help making goals and aspirations; she doesn’t need help accomplishing them either. But what she does need is the constant support and love of her family and the knowledge that she is making a difference.