Inside the Hurricane: Memories of Alcoholism and Child Abuse

Th is is the true story of one boy's struggle to survive the rage and violence of an alcoholic father and then later in childhood, his hateful and sadistic stepmother. Left behind at the age of four by his mother, he is shuttled from one foster home to another, only to ultimately return to the custody of his father, a ruthless six-foot-three man who did not hesitate in unleashing his alcohol inspired wrath upon a small and helpless child on a regular and ongoing basis. This monstrous and egregious treatment frequently resulted in physical battering and a mindset consisting of terror and fear.

But despite the horrific trauma that this young boy endured and the sustained effect that it has had on his psyche, he not only survived the dysfunctional environment of his early childhood, but actually prevailed in the face of those overwhelming odds. Once free of the toxic underpinnings of his early years, he went on to complete college, pursue a career in software development, and found the woman who would become his soul mate.