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Man shot by boy urges other youths to make good choices by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, March 3, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Students at T.A. Blakelock High School received a lesson in hope last Thursday (Feb. 25) from a man, who at one time, had little hope in his life. In 2007, a would-be mugger shot Toronto resident Leo Barbe twice while he was on vacation in Montreal, nearly killing him. Barbe had a rocky road to recovery, which included major surgeries, a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide attempts. He continued to struggle until April 2009 when he heard a recording of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last speech and realized one man could change the world. Barbe is now a motivational speaker and founder of Think Don't Shoot, a movement that works to inspire hope into the lives of those who have lost their way. Sponsored by Halton Learning Foundation During his presentation, which was made possible by the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF), Barbe spoke to students about the day he came face-to-face with death and the troubles, which followed. The then-21-year-old sales representative and professional rugby player had been partying with friends during a jazz festival that marked the Canada Day weekend in Montreal. Celebrations had gone through the evening and into the early morning and Barbe had become separated from his friends as the club he was in closed. Around 2 a.m., he took a cab back to his hotel, but because of the number of one-way streets in Montreal, he was dropped off one street over and told to walk through a short alley to get to his destination. It was during his walk through this alley that Barbe was confronted by a boy, around 16 years old, with a gun who demanded his money. "I was walking back, my hands were up. No matter how many... video games you've played, no matter how many shoot-em-up movies you've watched, it never prepares you for the moment the gun is in your face," said Barbe. "I don't even remember what happened. He came nose-tonose. I grabbed the gun, pulled it to my right. I took my left and I punched him in the chin and we tripped over a small fence and right before we hit the ground... Bam... He shot me in the stomach." Gunman aimed and fired at Barbe's head Barbe said the gunman then stood over him, aimed the gun at Barbe's head and fired again, but somehow missed Barbe's face instead hitting him in the back, close to his neck. The shooter then fled, leaving Barbe bleeding to death in the alley. The motivational speaker said the only reason he survived was because a mailman found him on his morning route and called an ambulance. Barbe was taken to Montreal General Hospital where he underwent four major surgeries, including one without anesthetic. On more than one occasion, doctors told the young man's parents he would not survive. After five months, he was discharged from the hospital, but soon began experiencing symptoms of PTSD. see Say on p.14 Leo Barbe, who was shot by a youth in a Montreal alley in 2007, spoke to students at T.A. Blakelock High School last Thursday about making good choices in life. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_ photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Skyway Jewellers Bhandari Family Dentistry returns to Oakville BrinG in your family for a CHeCk-up at our neW moDern CliniC Dr. Bhandari is an advocate of oral health with 31 years of experience. He and his team pride themselves for their professional and comprehensive approach to dentistry. Dr. Bhandari has proudly worked with a number of celebrities throughout his career, helping them maintain their red carpet worthy smiles! Porcelain Veneers Crowns and Bridges Teeth Whitening Restorations Composite Resin Dental Implants Laser Dentistry Periodontist on site New Patients & Dental Emergencies Welcome Customer care is our core concern. Whether you're looking for general maintenance, regular check-up treatments or cosmetic dentistry, we can help. Give Dr. Bhandari a call to book your appointment or consultation. White, Rose or Yellow, 10K or 14K Gold Customize Yours 2501 Third Line Rd., Oakville 905.827.0700 Dr. Vineet BhanDari Bhan BSc DIH DDS 905.825.5110 Monday to Friday 7:30 - 5:00. Evening and Saturday appointments available. www.skywayjewellers.com Palermo Professional Centre 2525 Old Bronte Rd., Suite 470 Oakville (at Dundas Street) · www.bhandaridental.com