Pamela Diestel – ‘I miss her every day’
There are many reasons why our supporters choose to leave a gift in their will. For some, it is the hope that research will make lives better for future generations. For others, it is to leave a legacy for a loved one so they will always be remembered. No matter the motivation, these gifts make life-changing impacts every day at Diabetes Victoria.
Pamela Diestel has chosen to leave a gift in her will to support the vital work of Diabetes Victoria and to honour the life of her daughter Emily, whom she lost too early.
Emily was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 10 years old. Sadly, she passed at age 40 from diabetes complications.
“Emily was my miracle baby,” remembers Pamela. “She was a bright spark from the beginning and would always question anything she thought was wrong.”
Pamela says that Emily had a beautiful singing voice, was an avid reader and studied psychology at Swinbume University.
Emily loved horses
At age three, Emily discovered her love for horses. She had her own horse and took part in equestrian dressage competitions.
In her late 20s, an accident changed Emily’s life.
“She sustained a foot injury from her horse standing on her,” Pamela remembers.
Emily was treated by an orthopaedic surgeon who specialised in diabetes. The surgeon tried everything, but the infection in Emily’s leg moved too fast, resulting in an amputation which confined horse-loving Emily to a wheelchair.
“She took it far better than I did,” remembers Pamela, saying that Emily was a very strong and independent woman.
Life as Pamela knew it changed forever
When Emily passed away unexpectedly in April 2017, Pamela’s life was turned upside down.
“It was a horrendous day when the cleaner could not get into Emily’s house. My stomach started to get twitchy on the way over as I felt something was wrong,” Pamela shares.
“I miss her every day. I was very blessed I had a wonderful child and a wonderful adult who could support herself.”
After Emily’s death, Pamela found a tribute Emily had made to her health specialist of 25 years which was a letter of gratitude. She had been seeing him since she was 16 years old.
“They got on so well and she was obviously wanting to find a way to say thank you. She had a wonderful way with words,” Pamela said Emily’s endocrinologist was extremely touched by this.
Pamela says that it has helped having support around her to deal with her grief, but that it is heartbreakingly difficult.
“l am leaving what I've got to diabetes research in loving memory of Emily,” says Pamela.
“Emily lived with and died from diabetes complications. I want to give back what I can. I support six charities and I do that because I want to help.”
