18 Facts About Dave Pelzer

Dave Pelzer was born in San Francisco, California on December 29,1960, and was the second of five boys.

Dave Pelzer is the son of Catherine Roerva Christen Pelzer and San Francisco fireman Stephen Joseph Pelzer.

Dave Pelzer's books describe the abuse he suffered for several years of his childhood, including continual mistreatment and beatings by his mother, who he said thought of it as a game.

Dave Pelzer's teachers stepped in on March 5,1973, when 12-year-old Pelzer was placed in foster care.

Dave Pelzer writes how his mother was physically and emotionally abusive towards him from ages 4 to 12.

Dave Pelzer describes how his mom starved him, forced him to drink ammonia, stabbed him in the stomach, burned his arm on a gas stove, and forced him to eat his own vomit.

Dave Pelzer mentioned that his father was not active in resolving or stopping the conflicts between Pelzer and his alcoholic mother.

Dave Pelzer was sent to a foster family at age 12 in 1973.

Dave Pelzer later forgave his father for ignoring the abuse, and wrote a letter to his mom saying he loved her as his mother, but would never see her again.

Dave Pelzer now has written self help books to help others overcome their challenges and abuse they have suffered.

Paraphrased, R Pelzer said in the afterword of his book that his objectives for his story was to show how a parent can become abusive and how the human spirit can triumph and survive.

Dave Pelzer was invited to television shows such as The Montel Williams Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show to give interviews after the book was published.

Dave Pelzer said that "Pelzer has an exquisite recall of his abuse, but almost no recall of anything that would authenticate that abuse", such as any details about his mother.

One of his younger brothers, Stephen, denied that any abuse took place, and said that he thinks Dave Pelzer was placed in foster care because "he started a fire and was caught shoplifting".

However, his other brother, Richard Pelzer, is author of the book A Brother's Journey, which affirms much of what Dave has said and describes his own abuse when Dave was finally removed from the home.

Dave Pelzer said she didn't believe his brother Richard was abused.

Dave Pelzer has given lectures across the country, and he is a volunteer.

Dave Pelzer is a motivational speaker and speaks to high school students and adults about the concept of resilience.