Terry Smith is an author who was raised on New York City's Lower East Side. As a child he was an unfortunate victim of emotional and physical child abuse. ""There is a clear correlation between being from a dysfunctional lower income household and child abuse."" Out of fear for his life, he ran away from home at 16 to escape the beatings, verbal abuse and intimidation. Against all odds he survived and found his passion. ""My life work is rooted in my personal experience and empowering the defenseless and voiceless of society, mainly children. Many of whom are born to parents who are poor, uneducated and the disenfranchised of society.""