George Canyon performs and discusses living with type 1 diabetes (8 photos)

George Canyon played two shows at the Grand Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie over the weekend but on Sunday he took time to meet with local youth and others who live with type 1 diabetes.

Canyon was diagnosed with the disease himself when he was 14 and is the national spokesman for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada.

Canyon said he likes to meet with youth who have diabetes so he can give them the type of inspiration and support that he didn’t have when he was young.

“For the last 12 years I’ve met with literally thousands of kids across North America that have type 1 diabetes, partly to show them that if you take control of your disease you can live your dreams like I am,” said Canyon. 

Canyon remembers that when he was first diagnosed with the disease people just told him all the things he wouldn’t be able to do with his life.

“It was one of those things like, wow, that’s a lot of negativity for a 14 year old to handle especially on top of having type1 diabetes. (Now) I’m a pilot, musician, I play hockey, and I sing the national anthem for the Calgary Flames. I get to do all these wonderful things even though I have the disease,” he said.  

Canyon said he doesn’t want to see other youth be discouraged from achieving their goals.

“These kids are amazing and they can do anything a non diabetic kid can do. We just support them and encourage them to dream as big as they can.”

Canyon was appointed as the first-ever Colonel-Commandant of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and while he was in town he also took time to have a private meet and greet with local air cadets before his Saturday show.

Public Affairs Officer Captain Roy Harten, who attended the Saturday meet, said that the fact that Canyon takes the time to connect with young cadets in a town he has no connection with is a sign of the type of good character that is promoted in the Air Cadets.

Canyon was brought to Sault Ste. Marie by Cabin Media which over the last year has held five events in the city as well as around 75 across Northern Ontario.