Pubdate: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Leesa Barbon 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