John Leclair was an alcoholic, once living on the street with only Grade 8-level education. With the help of the Ottawa Mission's Stepping Stones program he graduated from highschool. But now he's in the fight of his life again.
After living on the street all over Canada, Leclair ended up at the Ottawa Mission.
He was asked to join the shelter's Stepping Stones program. Not only did he graduate highschool, he also completed Grade 1 through Grade 12.
"It's one of the biggest achievements of my life. I'm boiling inside, I'm sweating and I want to yell from the top of my lungs but I haven't yet," Leclair said.
Leclair has another fight on his hands. He has cancer for the third time.
Despite his current battle, he remains positive and focused on all he has accomplished.
"The beautiful thing about education and learning is that it's something that no one can ever take away from you… today is the proudest moment of my life."
