Two Simple Things We Can Do to Save a Life

something we all need to do.

Awareness, about 4 years ago my life got turn upside down. The passing of my dad was one of the most tragic and painful memory I ever experienced. I was still a sleep at my apartment in Menasha and I awoke to the sound of my phone ringing. I picked up my phone and it was my brother Houks on the other line. He told me that my dad had just passed away and my mom wanted me to stop by the hospital to support the family.

I was in total shock because I just saw my dad the other day and now, he was gone forever... I couldn't face my family just yet so spent that weekend at my apartment thinking about all the things I could do to prevent this from ever happening again.  The major causes of his death was from a heart attack 10 years earlier followed by a stoke that immobilized the left side of the body, the causes of that were from poor eating habits and not exercising.

A quick song I wrote for my dad about a year after his passing. 

Sorry, spur of the moment thing so its not the greatest but it expresses something i never told him. 

I want people to become more aware that some our parents were never educated in eating right and exercising, especially the older Hmong folks. I believe we can prevent disease like heart attacks and strokes just by teaching them how important these two things are to be able to live a healthy lifestyle. This thought has been on my mind ever since the passing of my dad and I wanted to do something to make people more aware of the issue.

 Change, I started my mom on a cardio route this past weekend and plan to do the route with her until it becomes a habit. What seem so easy to us seems is so hard for them; she wasn't use to the movements and her body control was all over the place. I believe with a little encouragement and some effort can go a long way. In time she will build more confidence and be able to exercise on her own. Over the years I also have educated my mom and family on having a healthy diet and the importance of certain vitamins.

My moms first day of  doing her cardio route. 

After a week of exercising i already notice a big improvement in her movements. 

 Eating right and exercise may seem so simple to us, since we were taught this during our childhood while growing up in the United States.  If you have the knowledge to stay healthy and you choose not to stay health that's you're fault, but for the people that was never educated in these subjects they at least deserve a chance. Theses two things are very simple but vital to keeping people we love living long and strong.

 Please start by putting effort into educating the people that need it. It may seem minimal but if everyone helps out, it can make big difference. It took me a long time but I’m glad I’m finally starting to help my mom live a healthier lifestyle. If you ever had a love one that passed away from the lack of theses two things, you should already know how painful it is. Is a little effort a day too much to ask for? especially if you can save a love one from suffering...