Surviving Child Abuse
Surviving Child Abuse
Dave Pelzer, the author of A Child Called “It” is a surviving victim of child abuse. Written from his viewpoint, this inspirational story takes readers into the horrifying reality of his childhood. The rage, loneliness, and pain felt by child abuse victims becomes obvious. The author’s goal in writing this book is to educate and inform readers about child abuse and the possible extent of it.
From the ages of five to twelve, Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother. At first, he lived a healthy and normal life with his parents and brothers. However, his mother unexpectedly transformed into a monster, venting her anger and rage on her helpless child. To satisfy her sick needs, she devised cruel punishments and tortures to make David suffer. He was fed mouthfuls of ammonia, submerged in freezing cold water for hours, forced to eat his own vomit, stabbed in the stomach, and burnt by fire. These are just a few “games” his mother used to play. However, all this was not enough to break the young child’s spirit. He never gave his mother the satisfaction of defeating him mentally. With the help of his caring teachers, David was able to conquer and escape from the mother’s control. His willpower, courage, and determination allowed him to survive and triumph. His mental strength helped him turn shame into pride and rejection into acceptance. It is wonderful that he has found peace and forgiveness.
This is the ultimate motivational story with many themes involved. Even at rock bottom, David never let his faith and hope die. He found the courage and willpower to survive through the most agonizing moments knowing that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. He never let his mother break his spirit and in the end, he became a triumphant survivor. This story also lets readers reflect on their own life and discover a new appreciation for their own family and childhood. Never take things for granted because millions of people are starving for food, affection, love, or care each and every day. It is said that if you have...