Melodie V. Shuler, Esq. is an attorney licensed to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. She is the author of Only the Strong Survive with the grace of God. Book: A child from the inner city, who grows up with a poor, single mother dreamed of becoming an attorney. This is my journey to overcome odds and the strength I gained to survive childhood sexual abuse, homelessness, rapes, assaults, false arrests, domestic violence, drug use, racism, and sexism. This is my message to inner city children DREAM and my message to adults DO NOT DESTROY A CHILD DREAM.