Joanne Beausoleil is a great supporter of our foundation. She is the oldest of four sisters and became a profound deaf when she was 13 months old from German Measles. One of her sisters is Jane, our dear vice-president. Joanne was born in Toronto, Canada. When growing up Joanne shared with us that her mother had been really tough on them because she did not accept the fact that Joanne and Jane were deaf.
When growing up, Joanne shared with us that Jane and her had much tougher tasks around the house that the two sisters that were not deaf. She was very unhappy and eventually she told herself that her patience had ran out, it was enough, she had the right to be happy and that she was going to take upon herself to make it happen.
To Joanne, her childhood was so tough that she simply does not recall good memories. She remembers that her dad worked very hard for a living and also manipulated by her mother.
She also shared her story with us of when she was pregnant at age 20. When she had told her Mom about it, her mom was furious and told her dad. Her mom tried giving her something to get her to have a miscarriage and put her away to unwed mothers home. Until the end of the ninth month she was all by herself feeling contractions. Thankfully she had a nurse nearby who took care of her during labor, Joanne remembers this moment as an unexpected salvation where she is grateful for that nurse for coming to help in such a difficult moment.
Joanne had a beautiful baby boy. Shortly after his birth the nurse called Joanne's parents who came to visit and was told to give the baby for adoption. When everything was over her mom sent her to Vancouver BC where she found herself once again, along. Living in the YMCA for a long time, she worked at BC Hydro, eventually having had enough, she went back to Toronto where she wanted to restart her life where she met Bob, her now husband.
She had met Bob at her new job, while working with him she knew she had fallen in love. They got married and had three beautiful kids. Now they have six amazing grandchildren. Very happy with her life and family now, Joanne stated that she could not have found a more wonderful and supportive husband... the support that she grew up without. She also mentioned the joy that she gets from her children and grandchildren. It took a long time to heal herself from the hardship of her life and the vast moments of loneliness and sadness.
Joanne wanted to share this with us because we all have our past, but it does not dictate our future. She is an amazing example of someone that has grown in a disturbing environment and that is proud to say that she could not be happier with her family. Her heart is healed and she feels happy and very much ALIVE!
When growing up, Joanne shared with us that Jane and her had much tougher tasks around the house that the two sisters that were not deaf. She was very unhappy and eventually she told herself that her patience had ran out, it was enough, she had the right to be happy and that she was going to take upon herself to make it happen.
To Joanne, her childhood was so tough that she simply does not recall good memories. She remembers that her dad worked very hard for a living and also manipulated by her mother.
She also shared her story with us of when she was pregnant at age 20. When she had told her Mom about it, her mom was furious and told her dad. Her mom tried giving her something to get her to have a miscarriage and put her away to unwed mothers home. Until the end of the ninth month she was all by herself feeling contractions. Thankfully she had a nurse nearby who took care of her during labor, Joanne remembers this moment as an unexpected salvation where she is grateful for that nurse for coming to help in such a difficult moment.
Joanne had a beautiful baby boy. Shortly after his birth the nurse called Joanne's parents who came to visit and was told to give the baby for adoption. When everything was over her mom sent her to Vancouver BC where she found herself once again, along. Living in the YMCA for a long time, she worked at BC Hydro, eventually having had enough, she went back to Toronto where she wanted to restart her life where she met Bob, her now husband.
She had met Bob at her new job, while working with him she knew she had fallen in love. They got married and had three beautiful kids. Now they have six amazing grandchildren. Very happy with her life and family now, Joanne stated that she could not have found a more wonderful and supportive husband... the support that she grew up without. She also mentioned the joy that she gets from her children and grandchildren. It took a long time to heal herself from the hardship of her life and the vast moments of loneliness and sadness.
Joanne wanted to share this with us because we all have our past, but it does not dictate our future. She is an amazing example of someone that has grown in a disturbing environment and that is proud to say that she could not be happier with her family. Her heart is healed and she feels happy and very much ALIVE!