Foster Care Experience:
Dave Pelzer entered foster care at the age of 12 due to the severe abuse he endured at the hand of his alcoholic mother. The abuse became so terrible that she started referring to Dave as an 'It,' instead of a child, her son, or Dave. This was the worst abuse case that California had seen at that time. At the age of 18, Dave Pelzer aged out of the foster system and joined the U.S. Air Force.Claim to Fame:
Dave's first book, A Child Called "It," was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Dave has won many awards and personal commendations from Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Dave is also the author of "The Lost Boy", "A Man Named Dave", "Help Yourself" (also nominated for the Pulitzer Prize), "Help Yourself for Teens" and "The Privilege of Youth".
Fun Facts:
In 1994, David was the only American to be honored as The Outstanding Young Persons of the World after being named among the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 1993.
Dave carried the Centennial flame for the 1996 Olympics.SOURCE:
Dave Pelzer's Web site.
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