Paralyzed mom urges youths to lead by example WOODBRIDGE — Louise Russo knows all about triumph through adversity.
At the Empowering Youth Awards yesterday, she continued that message by honouring five GTA youths and three high schools for taking steps to cut down violence in the community. “Our key message today is all about choices — to make the right choice and go down the right path,” Russo, 50, said at the Paramount Special Event Venue. It’s been five years since the mother of three was hit by a stray bullet in a Downsview restaurant, paralyzing her from the chest down. Since then, she has founded Walk Against Violence Everywhere (WAVE), an organization committed to reducing violence and recognizing youth who show leadership and respect in their community and schools. ‘GOODBYE’
This is the first year for the awards and Russo said that if even one of the 850 students wearing bright orange WAVE bandannas in the room get the message to “wave goodbye to violence,” then she’s done her job.