Dave Pelzer Research Paper

An Extraordinary Man A man named, Dave Pelzer appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show, telling his life story that his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother mentally and physically abused him. Dave was determined to better himself, no matter the odds. He enlisted in the air force. In addition, has won several prestigious awards through out his life. Dave is an author of several inspirational books and a motivational speaker. Dave Pelzer is an excellent author and extraordinary human being. His inspirational work is phenomenal, shows all that no matter what obstacles we face in life, we can overcome. In California in 1973, Dave's life story was identified as one of the most gruesome and extreme cases of child abuse in then history. Dave had stated in his book, A Child Called "It" that "his mother would punish him, for "Mouthing Off" by making her special batch of ammonia and Clorox and locking him in the bathroom." ( Pelzer, 1995, p. 142). At the age of 12 he was finally rescued and in and out a series of foster homes. Then at the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
When Dave was in the Air Force, he was handpicked to midair refuel the Blackbird and Stealth fighter, which was highly secretive and played a major role in Operation Just Cause, Desert Storm, and Desert Shield.
Dave became the California Volunteer of the Year by receiving the J.C. Penney Golden Rule award. He was honored as one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans, in 1993. In 1994, Dave Pelzer was the only American honored as The Outstanding Young Person of the World. He carried the coveted ceremonial flame for the Olympic Games, in 1996. (Interactive Training, 2006) Dave was also been nominated for Pulitzer Prize award for two of his
books. Dave is the author of six inspirational books. "Dave Pelzer is one of the only authors to have four books simultaneously on the New York Times bestsellers list, and the first author to have three simultaneously on this list in trade paperback." Dave also is the only author to have four #1 International Best Sellers. (Barnes and Noble.com, 2006) Dave's first book A Child Called "It", which was published in 1995, tells his life as a young child from the age of four to 12 years old. The Lost Boy is Dave's second book, published in 1997, based on his life from the age of 12 to 18. Dave also has two other inspirational books called, A Man Named Dave and Help Yourself. Finally yet importantly, his latest book called The Privilege of Youth, which came on just this year, 2005. "Pelzer will tell of his high school days, and how two friends helped him get through them and begin to rise above his past." ( ) Dave Pelzer is living proof that personal responsibility and faith in humanity pays off. Dave has dedicated his life to helping others; help themselves, through educating and consulting others. Dave carries a banner in a nation where opportunities are endless in what Dave calls "The Greatness of America". He is an extraordinary man to have overcome extreme life threatening obstacles that he has faced growing up. His inspirational work has encouraged numerous organizations and millions of individuals to remain positive about their life no matter the odds.