From the outside looking in, you might've believed that Dave Pelzer had the perfect life — but four teachers who happened to be paying attention in the 1970s realized that was not the case at all.
Born in the Bay Area in 1960, Dave Pelzer was the second of five boys. On paper, the Pelzer home seemed picture-perfect. Pelzer's father was even a fireman, but there were secrets at home. When Pelzer's mom drank, she morphed from loving mommy to horrific mother.
Unfortunately for Dave, he became the primary target for her deranged abuse when she drank.
Dave was locked in the basement and starved, beaten and burned, and even forced to drink ammonia — all by his own mother. While Dave's mom managed to hide the abuse for years, there were signs that school officials found impossible to ignore. In a time when it was risky to report abuse, they took a stand for a little boy they believed in.
"My four teachers put their careers on the line. We didn't have penal codes, you know, to protect children. So it was very dramatic," Dave Pelzer told Larry King.
Read the story below, but be sure to check out Dave Pelzer's book A Child Called "It" on Amazon as well. Beyond his story of abuse and survival, his words on resilience are sure to inspire anyone who has endured any type of hardship. If he can do it, so can you!
Please SHARE this dramatic story with all of your friends!
Dave Pelzer was born in 1960. As a very little boy, Dave Pelzer recalls that his mom was a loving mommy. She took her kids on tours of Downtown San Francisco, and cooked exotic meals for holidays. But around the time that he turned 4 or 5, everything changed.
Her behavior became erratic and her drinking increased heavily. She started getting angry and striking the people who made her mad — usually, that was Dave.
Sometimes, an abuser selects one child or person on which to vent their rage. This is called "target child selection." Unfortunately, Dave was the target.
In 1973, David was sent to the nurse at school. That morning, his mom had bashed his head into the counter for no reason. David was 12, and this had become a familiar routine for him — and for the school nurse. As usual, he lied to the nurse and gave her the ridiculous explanation his mother ordered him to recite.
The nurse, sensing something was wrong, checked her file on the boy. It was a thick file — riddled with signs of abuse. In the 1970s, Child Protective Services did not exist. Teachers and school officials were risking their careers and accusations of slander when they accused parents of hurting their children.
But on March 5, 1973, the nurse had enough. She rallied support from two teachers and the school principal and called the local police. Dave was removed from his home — never to return again.
Dave Pelzer is now a motivational speaker. He speaks to high school students and adults about the concept of resilience. Pelzer appeared on Larry King Live to tell his story and promote his book. Please SHARE this story of survival with your friends if you were motivated by Dave — and by the heroic teachers who intervened!
