`A Child Called `It" author to speak Feb.11

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Dave Pelzer, author of the New York Times No. 1 bestseller “A Child Called ‘It,’” will speak on “The Real Heroes” at Bowling Green State University Feb. 11. 

BGSU’s Institute for Child and Family Policy is partnering with the Napoleon Area School District to bring Pelzer to campus. He will be on hand at 6:30 p.m. for a book signing, followed by his speech at 7 p.m. in 101 Olscamp Hall. General admission tickets are available for $5 by contacting the institute at 419-372-9903 or icfp@bgsu.edu.

Pelzer grew up in a household where he was abused by his mentally disturbed, alcoholic mother. It was only his resilience that enabled him to overcome these life-threatening obstacles.

His case, which was deemed one of the most gruesome and extreme cases of child abuse in California’s history, is the subject of his trilogy of books that started with “A Child Called ‘It.’” He has written four additional books, including his latest, “Moving Forward,” aimed at helping people move beyond life’s trials and realize their limitless potential.

At age 12, Pelzer was rescued and placed in a series of foster homes until, determined to better himself, he enlisted in the Air Force at 18. As a member of the armed forces, he was chosen to midair refuel the highly secretive SR-71 Blackbird and the F-117 stealth fighter, which played a major role in operations Just Cause, Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He has received numerous honors, including the 2005 National Jefferson Award and a California Volunteer of the Year award, and in 1993 was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans.

Pelzer’s visit is in conjunction with a sold-out workshop on “Promoting Empowerment and Resiliency in Children and Families Who Have Experienced Abuse and Neglect.” Hosted by the institute, the workshop is designed for professionals who work with such children and families.

Sponsors for the Pelzer lecture include BGSU’s School of Family and Consumer Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, College of Education and Human Development, Department of Sociology, Center for Family and Demographic Research and National Center for Marriage Research, plus Community Teaching Homes, the Children’s Resource Center and the Lucas County Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center.

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(Posted February 04, 2009 )