BIBLE HILL - A Newfoundland man is bringing his story of tragedy, hope and inspiration to students and the public next week.
Michael Gaultois was severely injured in a cabin fire in Irishtown, Nfld., in 1991. At the age of 15, Gaultois suffered third degree burns to 86 per cent of his body in the fire, which claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy.
He went through 16 operations and numerous therapy sessions before returning home six months after the fire.
Next week, Gaultois will visit six junior high schools in Colchester County - Bass River, Brookfield, Tatamagouche, Truro, Onslow and Bible Hill - and will host a public session in Bible Hill.
Dwane Mellish, chief of the Bible Hill Fire Brigade, said Gaultois' presentation is "moving."
"It will impact all of those who hear it," Mellish said in an email.
"It is a story of a young man who went through a very difficult time at a young age due to peer pressure and bullying, and after going through a life-threatening experience has come out on the other side. He's speaking to others about it and how to face the world and make the best of it."
Along with his experience in school, which he dropped out of, and the fire, Gaultois became a teenage father.
He realized his only chance for success would be to attain a higher education so we went back to school, graduating at the top of his class.
The public session begins at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Bible Hill Fire Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.
