When Philip Doucette was born he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck three times. The Doctor said he wouldn't make it.
The doctors didn't know whom they were dealing with.
Not only did he survive, but he decided at that moment he would THRIVE. Since his first breath Phil decided, "I would do my best to make a difference." That's right my friend, it all started when he was only 3 minutes old, can you believe it? Neither can we, he just told us to write that.
Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Phil thought he had it all. He lived across the street from an outdoor hockey rink and his best friend lived only minutes away. At the age of nine Phil's parents divorced. His perfect world came crashing down.
It was a messy situation that saw him split from his three siblings. He moved with his father. His older sister Genevieve moved with their mother. The two younger brothers, Aaron & Andrew were moved to live with their aunt & uncle in Prince Edward Island. Being only nine, Phil didn't understand why his brothers, who he loved, had to live with someone else half way across the country. Anger grew in him.
During elementary school Phil was full of discontent. This changed in Grade 8, when he met Keith. Phil began tutoring Keith as a class assignment, but the experience became more then just a 'project.' It changed Phil's approach to interacting with people.
His attitude seemed to shift from "me" to "they." He was recognized for this positive change. At his elementary school graduation Phil won the award for "Most Improved Student."
He came to understand a simple concept that would shape the rest of his life, "when you reach out and help another, you help yourself at the same time." Today he continues to thrive off this lesson volunteering on nationally and in his local community.