Overcoming the Odds: From War on the Streets in Louisiana to War on Terrorism in Iraq, How I Successfully Overcame the Odds

Ever since he was a child, Antonio J. Webb, M.D had to find it in himself to overcome what promised to be a very desolate future. Growing up in the heart of Shreveport, Louisiana, he was constantly surrounded by influences of the very worst sort including gangs, violence and drugs. From a younger brother who served juvenile life for armed robbery to a mother whose addiction to crack cocaine landed her in jail multiple times, Antonios family was split in half between members in and out of prison. Not only that, but several of his close friends were killed and others began serving 10+ years in prison for crimes they committed as teenagers. The statistics for Antonio were grim. Chances were that hed end up like most of his friends and family. But then, to the surprise of all, he graduated high school with honors, and a whole new world of opportunity lit up before him. Based on his own life story, "Overcoming the Odds", details the miraculous account of a boy who became more than anyone ever thought possible. From joining the military as a teen to serving eight years in the US Air Force; from the war on the streets of Louisiana to the war on terrorism in Iraq, the book realistically portrays the heartache and desperate challenges it took to rise above his austere beginnings. More importantly, it echoes his personal belief that there is an incredible, undeniable strength in every person to overcome the odds. PREFACE 5 CHILDHOOD 6 INTRODUCTION 7 A KNOCK ON THE DOOR 13 YOUNG AND AMBITIOUS 19 WHAT I LEARNED FROM MCDONALDS 21 FAMILY IN PRISON 24 FROM PRISONER TO MINISTER 26 DON’T QUIT NOW 31 Military 34 BOOTCAMP 35 KABOOM 41 BALAD, IRAQ 47 A CLOSE CALL 53 MASS CASUALTY 56 DIFFICULT TRANSITION 58 PATH TO SUCCESS 62 GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS 66 MEDICINE 70 FROM MORTARVILLE TO MEDICAL SCHOOL 71 NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER 80 THE UNEXPECTED 83 “I’M DONE” 87 THE HOPEFUL CHANGE 91 SURGERY IN WEST AFRICA 93 “YOU HAVE CANCER” 99 GRATEFUL 102 EBOLA 105 BE DIFFERENT 111 BONUS: FIVE PEARLS FOR SUCCESS 114 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 118 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 119 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 121 FROM THE AUTHOR 122 BIBLIOGRAPHY 123 "From war on the streets in Louisiana to war on terrorism in Iraq, how I successfully overcame the odds."--Cover