JUDGE GAVE ME A CHANCE; I HAVE TURNED MY LIFE AROUND

My thank you is to former Provincial Court Chief Judge William
Diebolt from Vancouver.

Dear Judge Diebolt,

We met on Aug. 18, 2002. I was in your courtroom with a list of
charges due to a life of drugs and crime. I was 20 when we met. I
thought I knew everything. Looking back, I didn't. My life was out of
control and had been for some time.

The day that we met was a day that has forever changed my life. The
charges against me weren't the nicest and things weren't looking
good. When it was your turn to talk to me you were so kind, so
understanding. You said things to me that have forever stayed in my
heart. You spoke to me the way a father would, the way my own dad
would. You saw something in me and for whatever reason you gave me a chance.

You sent me to treatment instead of jail. You sent me to get better
rather than stay sick. More than anything else, you sent me to get
the help I needed. I thought all of my chances had been used up until
I met you.

Judge Diebolt, I can't even begin to tell you how amazing my life is
today! I didn't know things could get so good. My family is
wonderful, everyone is really close. I have an awesome job, I've been
working at People's Jewellers for the past two years. Best of all, I
just finished school. I went to school to be a drug and alcohol
counsellor. You know what they say, been there done that. To think
that soon I will be helping others to get better, I can't even begin
to tell you what the means to me.

I'll be 25 in February. I still don't know everything, but I know a
lot more than I did. My life got better. I did the work but you
helped. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart!

Leesa Barbon

Abbotsford