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World Diabetes Day

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World Diabetes Day and My Amazing Mother #BeRemarkable

Did you know that World Diabetes day is coming up very soon, it's on November 14th, 2015. I want to talk more about that and share a few things with you but as this day approaches it makes me think of my mother. Sadly my mom is no longer with us, she's been gone for quite a few years but when I do think of her I think of the amazing and remarkable woman that she was. She was tough, fair and while not overt with her emotions she loved her family with ferocity, especially her three grand daughters, one of whom is my own daughter who is now 14.

My mother

Mom Diabetes

My mother who was Vietnamese lived through the Vietnam War, in fact she was only 23 or so when the war was ending and by then she had met my father a Canadian and had me. We left Vietnam when I was only two years old, my mom left her very large family and all the friends she had ever known to go to a country where she barely knew the language and didn't know anyone. It wasn't until I was older and worked at a university with international students where I fully realized the challenges my mother faced as an immigrant to Canada.

My mother and I when I was only two years old

Powered by Mom and Mom

She lost siblings in the war and then left the rest of her family behind to come to Canada with my dad and I. I of course just saw her as my mom, she was the one of all of her friends who spoke English the best, she was their translator, the one who helped others to settle into Canada after overcoming the same challenges herself but without help from a friendly face (besides my dad of course). As I began to help international students settle into their routines, placing them in homestay, seeing how they struggled with English it gave me a new appreciation of what my mother and others who come to Canada go through. I think it's a bravery that not everyone is successful at it. I myself have never had to go to another country to live where I don't know the language and had no friends or family to help me out.

My mother and I when I was apparently old enough to drink lol

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Not only did my mom teacher herself to speak and write English (she knew only a little bit but spoke Vietnamese and French), she helped my dad run his business, helped a few of her friends start restaurants, raised a family and helped many many Vietnamese immigrants settle into the Vancouver area. To me that is amazing.

My mom and my daughter when she was not even one year's old

Powered by Mom daughter and mother

Now why do I think of her when I hear about World Diabetes Day? Well she also had diabetes and near the end she had to take insulin shots, she took this all in stride and it never stopped her from doing what she wanted to do. My mother is the example I want to be to my own daughter and I will I miss her every day she still inspires me.

Check out Pan Am hurdler Gregory Macneil who also has diabetes and how he promotes the positive message that Canadians with diabetes are strong and can achieve greatness. You can see his video HERE. Help everyone believe that they can #BeRemarkable especially on World Diabetes Day! Click on the link where it says get the word out and tweet or share on Facebook!

Who do you have in your life that is amazing to you?

 

 

 

By on November 12th, 2015

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Nyx and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

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59 thoughts on “World Diabetes Day”

  1. It's amazing what our mother's do for us; my Mom also immigrated to Canada and the struggles they went through in a foreign country is amazing. I have an amazing life because of them! Diabetes also runs in my family, thank you for the reminder.

    Reply
  2. My elder sister passed away recently, leaving me with her little cat. She has become such a part of my life now, I can hardly remember not having her!

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  3. My friend has type 2, and is amazing because she is working really hard to make better choices to keep it in check. She is inspiring me to make healthier choices!

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  4. What a touching story. My grandparent, aunts, my own mother all were or are amazing, they all had diabetes,i learned so much and made my life with diabetes now..a little easier. They lived a normal life with diabetes and that has inspired me!

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  5. Very inspiring! Type 1 Diabetes runs in my family. My great-grandmother had it (I noticed online they even post diabetes diagnosis on the ancestry records) and my sister has it also. She takes insulin & partakes in scientific studies whenever she can, if it applies to her. I feel proud these women in my family have been strong & persevered through this life changing disease.

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  6. I don't know anyone personally with diabetes but there is a young girl in my community who I follow on facebook who is bringing a lot of attention to diabetes awareness.

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  7. A friend of mine has had diabetes since he was very young. I always think of him when I read articles and posts like this one. He really is remarkable.

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  8. Our son developed Diabetes 1 when he was 16 and though it took a while to adjust he is doing very well and attending university at this time.

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  9. My Nana and Grandpa.. My Nana had diabetes for years and she even developed Alzheimers .. My grandpa who is almost 90 just had an operation to remove a cancerous growth from behind his ear this week. It is hard to watch people you love go through illness. Thanks for sharing your story .

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  10. Thank you for sharing your story. My husband has diabetes and it runsin his family. My mom also and is hoping I can prevent it from happening to me.

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  11. I loved reading about your mom. Diabetes runs in my family. My dad's mother had it and my grandfather has had it since his 30s.

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  12. My grandmother is the one I find amazing. She fell down the stairs and suffered brain damage along with a broken leg around 8 years ago. It led to her having dementia and a host of other problems. She has since made it through a very risky surgery which they didn't expect her to pull through, and two other times was admitted to the hospital with no plans on release. She is now still living at home. She is a fighter and is so strong!

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  13. It's amazing how many people from all walks of life are effected by this illness. There are so many people that are fighting the good fight everyday and we don't even know.

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  14. Thanks for sharing your experience with diabetes. I know someone with diabetes from the age of 5 and one of my own grandmas has diabetes. It is inspirational to see how well they handle and look after it! The individual I know who had diabetes since the age of 5 also does not allow this to discourage him from continuing to play ice hockey which is a sport he is very dedicated to playing.

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  15. it seems more and more people I know are being diagnosed. most recent my sister in law. she has made a lifetime eating habit change and looks and feel amazing she says. more awareness is great

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  16. Beautiful photos! I have several people in my extended family and friends with diabetes and I am always amazed at the amount of work it takes to stay healthy.

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  17. Thank you for sharing your story. Your mom was remarkable and it's great for you to share her story. So many people can relate to it.

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  18. My mom is an amazing person in my life too! I just love all of the photos you have posted. They are so sweet. My husband has diabetes and I know the struggles that this disease causes.

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  19. Your mom was a very beautiful person. Many in my family including my husband has diabetes and is on the needle. He does have in under control thankfully. Thank you for sharing.

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  20. Thanks for sharing, your mom reminds me of my mom. She recently had to switch to insulin injections and she amazes me how it has never slowed her down, she still is super mom/grandma and still manages her sugars.

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  21. My cousin who until last year was a police officer, he lost the lower part of his leg but you would never know it, actually most of his colleagues never actually knew until he was interviewed on local tv!

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  22. Thanks for sharing this. Your Mom sounds like she was definitely a remarkable person. I admire people who don't let diabetes stop them from doing the things they want.

    Reply
  23. God rest her, your mom was a true beauty. With brains and guts, too. Thanks for bringing attention to Diabetes Day. It took my father 15 years ago, and now my brother has it too. And my mom's A1C is creeping up in the danger zone. I honestly do feel a cure a cure will be found, please, God, soon! And all of my family is amazing to me!

    Reply
  24. Diabetes is a serious killing disease. It has passed through my family from generation to generation. It has claimed the lives of my mom, uncles, aunts, and grandmom. Currently I have it due to having gestational diabetes with all my deliveries. Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady.

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  25. Your mother sounds like she was a remarkable woman. Diabetes is a serious disease. I knew a few people with it. The complications can be fatal. I have two people that I've lost to it.

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  26. Diabetes is a tough thing to deal with. It effects so many parts of the body. Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful woman. You have many great memories. Thank you so much for sharing

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  27. I have the exact opposite of it.Low blood sugar does effect a lot of people but it is not widely talked about.It is very hard to bring up your blood sugar.NO you do not eat sugar to bring it up.You have to follow the diabetic diet but eat about every 2 hours.My blood sugar readings in the morning are enough to put a person in a coma!2 - 2.5 only?

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  28. My Father also had diabetes, he was an amazing man he lost his sight from diabetes & died at an early age in his forty's due to diabetes. He did so many incredible things & had a great sense of humor, I still miss him.

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  29. This is beautiful!! My Mom is amazing to me as well!! She raised 3 kids by herself and I to this day have no idea how she did it without having a mental breakdown lol!! High five mom, for being strong, amazing and persevering through the toughest of times!

    Reply

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