Getting to know Dave Pelzer

David Pelzer was born on December 29, 1960. Dave nearly died several times by the hands of his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother. Many years later it was determined that Dave’s case was one of the most extreme cases of child abuse in California's history. At age 12 Dave placed many foster homes until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 18. Some of his accomplishments are being honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans, the only American to be honored as The Outstanding Young Person of the World, holding the Centennial flame for the Olympic Games, and a recipient of the 2005 National Jefferson Award. He is the author of not only "A Child Called It," but also "The Lost Boy," "A Man Named Dave," "Help Yourself," "The Privilege of Youth," "Help yourself for Teens," and Moving Forward."