Quinn Nystrom Speaker Biography
Diabetes Advocate, Speaker & Author of If I Kiss You, Will I Get Diabetes?
For the past 22 years, Quinn Nystrom has shared her story of living with type 1 diabetes to over 300,000 people across North America. Her company allows her to speak, advocate, consult, and write about diabetes. She’s been featured nationally on XM Radio, Glamour Magazine, MSN, Reader’s Digest, Diabetes Forecast and The Learning Channel (TLC).
American Diabetes Association
She currently sits on the Community Leadership Board for the Minnesota Chapter of the American Diabetes Association. She was the youngest recipient at 15 for the prestigious ADA Star Award for her fundraising efforts, and also was selected to represent the association as the National Youth Advocate in 2002-2003. She received the 2016 ADA Advocacy Award and was named one of the 2015 Ten Outstanding Young by the Jaycees.
Publications
Her first book, If I Kiss You, Will I Get Diabetes?” was released by River Place Press in January 2014. The book was the first to ever be written from a first-hand account of negotiating life with type 1 diabetes. She writes a bi-monthly blog for On Track Diabetes. She’s currently traveling across the country as the National Diabetes Ambassador for Center for Change to help raise awareness about living with type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder (ED-DMT1).
Baxter City Council
In 2014, she was the youngest member to ever be elected to the Baxter City Council. She is the council liaison on the Parks and Trails Commission, Community Behavioral Health Hospital and the Brainerd Lakes Area Sex Trafficking Task Force. In July, she was appointed by Governor Dayton to sit on the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities.
Education
Nystrom is a 2008 graduate of Hope College and obtained her Master of Science Degree in Communication Management from Syracuse University in May 2017.
Quinn Nystrom Speaking Topics
Diabetes…Learning to Live with Purpose and Passion
Life is a series of reactions to unpredictable circumstances. Quinn was 13 years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease with no cure. Life was over until she met other kids at a diabetes camp living large despite the disease. She dedicated herself to finding a cure for the disease and improving the lives of those surviving with diabetes and discovered a life full of purpose and passion.
Diabetes Truth Talk: Facts & Myths About Life with a Chronic Illness
Diabetes is growing at alarming rates around the world, and health care professionals are struggling to keep up with the latest treatment developments. How can you provide the best care for your patients? By learning the latest information about this rapidly changing disease that affects over 29 million Americans.
Teenagers & Young Adults with Diabetes – Life in the Fast Lane… Driving, Dating & Diabetes
It’s tough enough to be a teenager. Add a chronic disease and life seems almost impossible. Balancing twin loads of peer and parental pressure while managing a disease requires negotiation and compromise. A frank discussion for teens on how to make it work.
Families Affected by Diabetes – Catch Me If You … Coping and Caring for Your Child with Diabetes
A chronic illness turns families’ upside down. When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, everyone struggles to find their footing. You’ll learn ways to empower and encourage your child to manage their disease. Build a solid foundation for your child to live a rich, productive life despite diabetes.
Eating Disorders & Type 1 Diabetes: A Complicated Relationship
Living with type 1 diabetes is complicated enough, but then throw in a dual diagnosis of an eating disorder, and the management of the two becomes tricky. Eating disorders paired with diabetes can be a life-threatening combination. Learn about Quinn’s personal journey of seeking recovery, and how health care professionals can best assist their patients who are struggling.
Quinn Nystrom Books
If I Kiss You, Will I Get Diabetes?
Purchase BookQuinn Nystrom Videos
Quinn Nystrom Speaker Testimonials
“Quinn Nystrom was the morning keynote speaker at our first annual Iowa JDRF TypeOneNation Summit. Her message, “Learning to Live with Purpose and Passion” was incredibly inspiring to our audience of kids and adults. Quinn has a very unique way of connecting with everyone in the room, whether you are newly diagnosed or have lived with T1D for many years. Her story of growing up with T1D will having you both laughing and in tears as her story is very relatable to the masses. After her message, Quinn had a line of people waiting to thank her and purchase her book. She is very engaging to each and every person that approaches her and takes the time to provide inspiration to each and every one. Eastern Iowa JDRF would definitely have her back to speak to our JDRF families and would recommend Quinn to speak at any of JDRF events around the country.”
- Mike Shrock, JDRF Iowa Statewide Outreach |
“I have known Quinn since her early teens, when I started working with her as her diabetes educator. She is a beautiful, vibrant, intelligent young woman, AND she lives well with type 1 diabetes. Lucky for all of us who know her, she is one of the funniest, most enjoyable people to be with, for any amount of time you can get. Her advocacy and support for other people and their families living with type 1 diabetes is unsurpassed. Her book reflects these qualities, her challenges with diabetes and because of her willingness to share “the good, the bad and the ugly”, anyone who reads it will feel the emotion and her passion, along with her sense of humor. The reader will know that although this disease is difficult and has no cure, it is also manageable, and you can do whatever you want with your life. She certainly has, and will continue to do so, forever.”
- Marcia A. Meier, BAN, RN, CDE |
“Quinn is a knowledgeable, passionate, compassionate, encouraging, and uplifting speaker. She has a rare gift of engaging the interest of her audience, which brings great curiosity and interest in them about diabetes, eating disorders, dealing with adversity, transcending difficulties, and loving with grace, style and integrity. Quinn is a great ambassador for the cause, for those suffering- and a great resource for professionals anywhere. I have been personally impacted for good by Quinn, and it is an honor to learn from her. Great choice in having Quinn speak. Thank you!”
- – Clinical Professional |
“I enjoyed the presenter’s honesty, wit, vulnerability and commitment and expertise. I thought the talk was well paced appropriately educational/personal and highly informative.”
- -Clinical Professional |
