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Michael Brewer Honored For Fight Against Teen Violence

LAUDERHILL (CBS4) – When he sees a fight about to erupt in his neighborhood, Michael Brewer said he tries to stop it.

He has a very personal reason to get involved. Two years ago, Brewer beat insurmountable odds after being doused with alcohol and set on fire over a year ago, allegedly by three other teenagers.

On April 9th, the city of Lauderhill honored his courage by proclaiming it "Michael Brewer Day."

Brewer also spoke to CBS4's Tiffani Helberg Saturday at a fundraiser to help him and his family pay medical bills.

"Wow, I never knew this could happen like the body just heals so fast and I just came so far from two years ago till today," Brewer told Helberg. "I'm doing actually really good. I looked at my scars, I'm healing up really well."

Brewer was the guest of honor at the Inverrary Country Club where a golf tournament was held to help raise money. Mike Brady, golf sales director at the club, said he wanted to help after learning of Brewer's story.

"This kid has been through a lot. I have talked to so many celebrities and everybody is giving stuff," said Brady.

Brewer is now an example to many other teens.

"I walk around a couple days, ride my bike around I would see a couple kids about to fight and I'll come over and break 'em up and stuff and just try and make the world a better place," Brewer said.

While Brewer's scars may have healed, his mother Valerie Brewer said her son still wakes up with nightmares. 

"His spirit is very good. Psychologically he's got a long way to go yet. He still wakes up with night terror. I  still wake up with nightmares over this," Valerie Brewer said.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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