OPRAH - Wed. 1-30-02 - "A Child Called It"

[Pipanella]

I am bumping this earlier thread, because Oprah is airing this show again, today, Wednesday, April 10, 2002. If you missed it back in January, here is your chance to see it!!

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I know this is short notice, because Oprah is on right now on the East Coast, maybe other time zones as well, but if you can, watch it today.

Dave Pelzer, author of "A Child Called It," and two sequels, is going to be her guest. I have met this man, talked with him, hugged him. He is the most inspirational person I have ever met.

You will be amazed at what he has lived with and lived through, and is now a happy human being. I feel honored and blessed to know his story and to have met him.

[freesurfer]

I've read his stories and let me tell you , this is one remarkable man to have the outlook on life that he does. He has a website also

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Gonna watch it at 4 here!! Thanks for the reminder!

[Pipanella]

Just correcting the link: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

You could never make up something as horrible as this man's early life. NEVER. The three books in the trilogy are:

A Child Called It
The Lost Boy
A Man Named Dave

His latest book, "Help Yourself," has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I haven't read this one, but I'm telling you.......because he overcame what he did, and became the person he is now........I'll believe anything he says about how to do it.

The Oprah show was good, but there is no way that an hour can contain his story. You just MUST read it. Yes, you'll cry, and you'll feel horrible about what he went through, but in the end, the human spirit......and Dave........triumphs.

[telos2000]

Sounds good. Thanks for the link!

[dlabrie708]

Pip, I just now saw you post, but luckily I happened to have watched Oprah today. I just cannot believe a mother could do that to her own child. What a sad, tragic story. Yes, he is an incredible man with such an amazing outlook on life. I also can't believe how many others are suffering in the same way that he did. The mother and daughter at the end of the show broke my heart as well. I don't know if I could forgive....

How did you meet him?

Lori

[Pipanella]

He came to do a book signing at a small bookstore near me. I sat just to his right, beside him, as he spoke to a group of maybe 50 people (standing room only in this store).

When he signed books afterwards, I was one of several people that gave him a hug. If you know his story, and then hear him speak, it's the first thing you want to do.

I 'asked' him......"Dave, you lived so many years without hugs, I would really like to give you one now." You can't imagine the look on his face......the smile......and the immediate open arms......... I nearly cried. He said, "Oh, yes, I'll take a hug. I take all of those I can get." And I'm telling you, for someone who never got hugged growing up, he gives great ones.

Yes, the mother and daughter at the end.........wow.

Lori, I've had to forgive some pretty hard things in my life, as we all have, and I've been forgiven for some pretty crummy things as well. Like Dave said, you don't forget, but you can free yourself from the pain and bad feelings that others' actions can cause. And just because you have forgiven them doesn't mean that you have to invite them back into your life.

For me, forgiveness of others comes incredibly easy. The hard thing for me is to forgive myself.

[karenpe]

Oh Pip.................I missed it. But I did see him on Montel before. I practically ran out and bought the first book after seeing that show. Then I had to go out and buy the other two. He is just amazing!!! I remember he stated in one of his books, that it almost seems like he was writing about someone else because it happened so long ago or something to that effect.


It's amazing how well he turned out after all that he went through. He truly is an extraordinary person. And yes, I agree with Lori..........I would love to hear how you met him and all that was said!!!

But, as I read those books..............boy would I have loved to get ahold of his mother and his father too

Thank God for that teacher. And so many people had to have known what was going on..............neighbors...etc. But then again, at that time, not too many people got involved like they would nowadays. And I am still suspicious of his grandmother NOT knowing .

These books will really get your blood boiling. Mr. Pelzer is a very compassionate man and a very, very remarkable man!!!!!

[FortuneBrown]

Thanks a million for posting that! I have read his first two books, and was just about to start the third. What an unbelievable story!!!

[bassmount]

Ya know, I don't know his story and I missed Oprah, but I will go out and get one of these books.

This is a little O/T to the subject of this man, but you know, as a child, I always thought of my life as a good one and the children around me, I assumed had a life as good as I did. I saw a man on Montel, some months back that had written a book called "Finding Fish" his last name was Fisher. I can't remember his first name though. I bought the book for my MIL, for Mother's Day last year because he had overcome such obstacles and he was only a year or two older than me. My MIL had tough childhood and this man was just an absolute inspiration. With all of these "self help" books coming out now, it makes me wonder, how many children grew up in a home where they were forgotten, abandoned, abused and neglected, when on the outside, they seemed "normal" to me I thought the 50s 60's, 70's and 80's to be so idealic and the real downfalls of "homelife" were in he 90s. It seems it all has run so deep and for a very long time. It is so sad to think of the ones that didn't overcome.

[Schwisow]

I have read his first two books. The man is absolutely the most inspiring person I have ever read about. It just goes to show you that you can overcome the obstacles in life. You do not have to live in a pity pool. He is living proof!
And, I think giving him that hug was such a wonderful thing to do...

[miriama59]

Well, I missed Oprah and I must confess that I have never heard of him. I checked out his site and it doesn't say that much. I guess I will have to keep an ear out for this.

[dlabrie708]

Originally posted by Pipanella
I 'asked' him......"Dave, you lived so many years without hugs, I would really like to give you one now." You can't imagine the look on his face......the smile......and the immediate open arms......... I nearly cried. He said, "Oh, yes, I'll take a hug. I take all of those I can get."

While listening to his story and some of the mean and torturous things his mother did, I just wanted to reach through the t.v. and give him a hug. It is so cool that you really got to do it.

Lori

[mum23]

I am amazed that he is able to remember the terrible things that happened to him. What an inspiring story.

[pandybat]

Thanks Pip! I just ordered the paperback version from Amazon for $9.95. I can't wait to start reading it. I missed him on Oprah yesterday but I had heard of his story before. I had it on my "Book to Read" list at one time but then lost the list..lol Thanks for bringing this up.

[Pipanella]

Oh, Sandy, you should have just ordered all three of the books. You'll want to read them all. They take you through his whole life, to present. You'll have the first one read in no time, you won't be able to put it down.