[close] #1 New York Times and #1 International Best Selling author recipient of The National Jefferson Award. As a child his resilence enabled him to overcome extreme lifethreatening obstacles. He has expierenced a truely extraordinary life. He nearly died several times by the hands of his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother. Years later it was determined that Dave's case was identified as one of the most gruesome and extreme cases of child abuse in California's history. At the age of 12, Dave was finally rescued and placed in a series of foster homes until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 18. Even with all that was against him, Dave was determined to better himself no matter what the odds. As an adult, for over 20 years, Dave's inspirational work has encouranged countless organizations and millions of individuals to recommit their efforts and remain steadfast to their personal convictions. [close]