David Pelzer

Author and survivor David Pelzer is my hero. He wrote many books, including "A Child Called It," documenting his abusive childhood and to thank the teachers who rescued him from that fate.

When Dave was four, his life changed completely. His mother started to drink. Dave’s mother abused him the most out of her three children. She deprived him from food and water and accidentally stabbed him with a knife. She would also make him lie in cold water for hours, and then stand outside. Dave had a lot of courage to survive. When Dave was 12, two of Dave’s teachers reported his conditions to Social Services, and agents began to check out David’s home life. It turns out that Dave's abuse case was one of the worst cases in California history.

Baby Dave

Dave was taken from his mother. Later he testified against her, explaining the past eight years. He started to think it was all his fault, not his mother's. It was extremely hard for David to relate to others. When Dave was 18, he enlisted in the Air Force. He remained there for nine years.

His accomplishments have been recognized with many awards. Dave was also on the "Oprah Winfrey Show." In 1990, he won the J.C. Penney Award, making him the California Volunteer of the Year. In 1994, Dave was the only American to be honored as one of Young Persons of the World Award. He was granted the Point of Light Award in 2005.

Dave's fifth book, "The Privilege of Youth," was published in January 2004. Soon enough, David got married and he had a son, Stephen.

The reason I picked David Pelzer for my hero is because I look up to him. He never gave up, and I would like to meet Dave. I one day want to help stop child abuse from happening.