Dave Pelzer

Dave Pelzerhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1881.Dave_PelzerHeroes are everywhere all over the world, we all have heroes in all aspects of our lives, but what really makes a hero? A hero is created by a multitude of characteristics, different to any viewer/reader. To me, a hero is someone that inspires the people around them, portraying kindness and selflessness, and are willing to help anyone, no matter the personal risk. Heroes aren’t in it for any personal gain except knowing they made a positive effect on someone's life. Dave Pelzer fits this definition of a hero: as written in the about section on the official Dave Pelzer website “Dave is a living testament of a self-made man, who as an optimist strongly exudes resilience, service to mankind, personal responsibility and faith in humanity. Dave’s unique and intriguing outlook on life, coupled with his “Robin Williams” like wit and sense of humor entertain and encourage all of us to truly commit to overcome any challenge, while living life to its fullest” ( Dave Pelzer Official Website). Pelzer had a rough childhood, but he came out of it stronger than ever. He took all his hardships and turned it into a way to help and inspire people. Many times, heroes find themselves in challenging predicaments, but they always find ways to overcome those challenges no matter how large the trial is. The challenges they overcome can often be turned into something good. For example, speaking out about the difficulties can inspire and bring hope to other people that may also be going through trying times. Dave Pelzer was severely abused by his mother, but he was able to overcome it. He went on to speak honestly and openly about those challenges, he connects with people and informs others that they are not alone through their struggles, these qualities make Dave Pelzer a hero.

Pelzer was often abused by his mother, sometimes to the brink of death, while his father played the outsider, watching his son be tormented. Experiencing an extraordinary life made David stronger, making him able to keep surviving the attacks of his alcoholic mother. Dave’s case was later defined as one of the most gruesome and extreme cases of child abuse in California’s young history. Pelzer spent the majority of  his younger life just living day by day trying to power through the abuse he was subject to. He managed to overcame his greatest adversary of neglect and child abuse. Dave never gave up, he may have been feeling down and that all hope was lost, but he continued pushing through, knowing that someday he would make it through and maybe finally find a loving and caring family. In the beginning, Dave’s family was what most people would define as normal. His parents often planned fun trips, with little surprises waiting on their beds each day. But then one day things took a dark turn for Dave Pelzer “When mother decided that  the “corner treatment” was no longer effective, I graduated to the “mirror treatment.”... Mother would simply grab me and smash my face against the mirror, smearing my tear-streaked face on the slick, reflective glass.”(Pelzer) Dave Pelzer spent many year deteriorating und his mother's cruel fist. The abuse started small as the “corner treatment” which is the same form of punishment used on many young children, putting them in time out for 10-15 minutes. But then, it developed into the “mirror treatment”, which was just the start of what turned into a very cruel form of abuse. The amount of abuse Pelzer's mother put him through continued to grow into starving, forcing him to breath and drink toxic chemicals, and even in some cases, stabbing. But Dave lived through it telling himself “You can´t let her win, don't show defeat¨ Dave Pelzer encountered strife everyday of his life but fought his way through it. He took all the trails of his life and made full 360 using them to become a hero to many.

Dave Pelzerhttps://myhero.com/D_Pelzer2_jwy_ms_US_2017_ulBeing upfront and honest is a great quality in a hero, Dave Pelzer is honest about his past. He talks about all the hardships he faced and uses them to inspire people and let them know that they are not alone. Pelzer wrote multiple books recounting his childhood, from before the abuse started, all the way to when he went through the foster system. A Child Called "It" recounts the abuse Pelzer suffered at the hands of his mother, including beating, stabbing, and starvation. His mother also broke his arm, bathed him in ice-cold bath water, and forced him to eat his own vomit. Throughout all the abuse, Pelzer's father and grandparents averted their eyes, letting the abuse continue for multiple years. Eventually, teachers and other school authorities notified child protection officials, who separated Pelzer from his mother. Pelzer didn’t hide his childhood and try to forget what happened to him. Instead he was honest about it and wrote books regarding his life. While today he may suffer from many mental issues and scarring from the trauma, he shares his storied as a way to let other people going through similar things know that they can get through it. Although the abuse was horrible the most important thing that people need to know is that doing nothing just makes it worse. As Dave was being abused his father and grandparents did nothing to help him and in that way they were telling Dave that he really didn't matter and no one cared about him.He wants to inspire people and let them know that they can overcome all the hard times in their lives and they will come out stronger than ever. Dave is a living testament of a self-made man, who as an optimist strongly exudes resilience, service to mankind, personal responsibility and faith in humanity. Dave’s unique and intriguing outlook on life, coupled with his “Robin Williams” like wit and sense of humor entertain and encourage all of us to truly commit to overcoming any challenges, while living life to its fullest. Dave Pelzer has dedicated his life to inspiring others to overcome any challenge they are faced with. Even through his childhood he just told himself to just survive, make it through to the other side and find a happier life. Although most people with a past like Pelzer’s, understandably, prefer to keep a low profile he instead dedicates his time to helping out many different causes.  Dave Pelzer used his past as a tool, he was upfront and honest about all the things that happened to him. He speaks out about his life and inspires people to stand up and do their best in everything.

Dave Pelzer suffered so much and yet he found a way to inspire people to survive and fight their way through the hardships in life. He was direct and got straight to the point, Pelzer stays optimistic and continues to have good faith in humanity despite everything he’s gone through. Dave Pelzer tells the story of his childhood abuse to inform and inspire people. His mom wasn't always abusive, in the beginning she was the picture of a perfect mother, showering her children with love and affection. Dave Pelzer works hard to inspire and help people all around him. He wants to make people continue to hope and dream and someday those things will become their reality. Achieving those dreams also requires dedication but without hope there would be no dreams.

Works Cited

"David J. Pelzer." Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2002. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1000132440/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=14708eaa. Accessed 27 Mar. 2018.

Dave Pelzer - The Official Site - About, Wannab Web, www.davepelzer.com/about.html.

Pelzer, Dave. A Child Called "It". Health Communications, 2015.

Pelzer, Dave. The Lost Boy - Book 2 - Dave Pelzer A Foster Childs Search for the Love of A Family. Orion Publishing Co, 2014.