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.
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