Heroes come in many forms!

How do you say thanks to someone who has given you your life back? How do you show gratitude to an individual who has empowered you with the tools to navigate through the oppressive nature of the student loan system? How do you express your heartfelt appreciation to an ally who has been in the trenches with you for so long that you thought that the battle for a good life would never be won?

 You begin with an acknowledgement. Acknowledging the power, patience and passion of that one individual, who provided you with the strength to mount a titanic struggle for your rights in the face of a heartless bureaucratic machine. 

John Leblanc, I thank you for being that one beacon of light that allowed me to see my way through this nightmare. I thank you for giving me the confidence to assert my rights in obtaining a fair and reasonable approach to repayment of my student loan debt. I thank you for being with me each step of the way as we unraveled the obstacles and detours that were thrown at us by the system. I thank you for always making me feel like number one when collectors often made me feel like nothing. Most importantly, I thank you for tirelessly championing my cause when no one else would.

Prior to meeting John, I had 7 years of university education, a mountain of debt and the prospect of $7/hr in my foreseeable future. Disillusioned, I packed my bags and left everything I knew for a better life. My plane barely landed when I starting receiving countless crude and abusive phone calls from collection agency automatons. Like some covert organization they pried into every facet of my life and contacted family and relatives about my inability to pay.

I started feeling marginalized in my own country. I always believed that being a citizen inherently brought with it an expected level of respect on the part of all Governmental bodies. I assumed that when I was down and out and needed a hand up, compassion and understanding would be a given. I could not have been more naive. Like an impending doom I was instantly immersed in the “culture of fear” perpetrated by both collectors and the student loan system. I was afraid to answer the phone, afraid to get married, afraid to sign anything, my credit was ruined and this together, quickly took a toll on my sense of self-worth.

Disheartened, I turned to the Internet for answers and any avenue that would empower me to deal with my situation. It was then that I located the Canadian Financial Wellness Group and talked with John for the first time.

After I explained my situation to John the calls from collectors stopped immediately. Suddenly collectors were willing to talk and listen to what I had to say in a fair and just manner. Over time we negotiated a repayment schedule that was fair and manageable. I can now proudly say that I have a painless monthly payment without coercion or pressure. Surprisingly, this resolution came without ever meeting John in person. In fact, everything was solved by John without me ever having to leave my home.

After years of fear and disillusionment I can proudly say that I feel like I have successfully finished what feels like a prison sentence. Yes, I am an ex-con of an inept system but I have a renewed vigor about my life. The sun is a little brighter, the birds sing a little louder and I am excited about my future.

Some of you out there may feel hopeless or skeptical about the process and part of my goal here today to inspire you to take those first steps in getting your own lives back on track and to let you know that you are not alone because people really do care.

I have been through what many of you are currently going through and I know the anxiety and fear that the collectors instill. But please make this call for yourself and your future. No matter how bad you think things are. I assure you John will help!

Simply put, John is a miracle worker and most importantly a friend. He promises only what he can deliver and always delivers what he promises.

If any of you need any information please feel free to email me and I will gladly address any of your questions.

By the way the marriage is set for July

Here is a toast to our freedom!