Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1050

Tonight's special guest is John D'Amico from Orlando, FL, a child abuse survivor and author of "The Walls Talked But Nobody Listened," a three part memoir. He's taking this opportunity to build awareness. John wants to inspire other victims and provide them a “tool box” of hope and inspiration. "My story begins at the age of three when my mother passed away from breast cancer," John writes, "and what follows is 15 years of extreme child abuse and torture." He was locked away in a room for over 8 years, to being sexually, physically and emotionally abused by both his stepmother and biological father in ways many would find unfathomable. "Leaving that torture chamber at 18 years old," he continues, "I immersed into the world and had to learn in a very short period of time what so many learn over the duration of their childhood. I never faltered; I had an undeniable passion and drive to turn my life into something positive." At the age of 18 years old with a 6 grade-level education, deeply scarred and with very little social skills, John enlisted into the US Army and began a new life. John says, "What followed was a journey to become an MBA graduate, a single father to my beautiful little girl, and a life of reflection, understanding and hope." His is a story of utmost resiliency, one that John hopes we can help him share with the world. As he notes, "It is also a story about the system and an opportunity to truly build awareness for this social cancer."