Chapter 1: The Rescue

In this chapter the author, David Pelzer, starts a story about a child named David Pelzer (yes names the child his name), grade 5 and what seems to be the end of this child’s abusive and traumatic situation at home. David wore clothes, ate the same lunch, and was made fun of every day at school.

David grew up in in abusive home, lived with mother and brothers. David was worried about getting caught not washing the dishes for the moment his hands were out of the sink. David was caught by mother, and got slapped for because “[David] learned the hard way that she takes that as an act of defiance…” and David continue to think “…which means more hits, or worst of all, no food” (Pelzer, 1995. P.3). Robert V. Kail and Theresa Zolner (2012), talks about information-processing theory in their textbook Children: A Chronological Approach. “Information-processing theorist generally agree that mental hardware has three components: sensory memory, working memory, and long-term memory” (Kail & Zolner, 2012. P. 159).

To summarize: Sensory memory is taking “raw, unanalyzed” information and it is held for a few seconds. Working memory is when the brain is constantly processing information (such as reading this sentence) and storing and pulling out information. Long-term memory is memory this is stored information that is permanently stored in the brain, just like a computer. (Kail & Zolner, 2012. P. 159-160).

In the case of David, based on the situation at home, his sensory memory was limited. This is clear when the school nurse hugged David “‘God,’ I tell myself, ‘She is so warm.’ I don’t want to let go. I want to stay in her arms forever” (Pelzer, 1995. P. 7). This was an experience David felt rarely, due to mother did not cuddle much him as a baby, which mean the part of the brain that develop the understanding of love and affection was underdeveloped. Dr. Bruce Perry in his book The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog (2006), had a similar situation where a mother (Virginia) had a child (Laura), and live with a woman named Mama P, to understand how help Virginia learn to love Laura, so Laura can grow physical and mentally. Dr. Perry explains that there are two major neural networks: one is sensory perception and second is neural network that mediates “pleasure”. “This reward system” can be activated in a number of ways, one of which is the relief of distress” (P. 101). David “pleasure” or “reward system” sensory was much underdeveloped, which means when he was hugged by the nurse his brain was feeling, and experiencing something what normally would not be a new or unfamiliar to others.

David’s working memory, and long-term memory have been deep scared by the abuse at home, and constantly have to survive each day (e.g. dressing quickly, and eating fast). David talks about his he would eat his brothers left overs, steal lunch at school, and wear the same clothes every day. His thoughts in class are most likely not about what is being taught, but what he has to do to get something to eat. “Usually I’m a very good student, but for the past few months I gave on everything in my life, including escaping my misery through my schoolwork” (Pelzer, 1995. P. 8) Also another long-term memory that scared David, was when the school told him that they were going to call his mother. David started to cry. “‘Please!’ I whine, “Not today! Don’t you understand, it’s Friday?” (Pelzer, 1995. P. 8). David could be worried about a weekend of being hurt, and/or not eating.

The chapter ends with an officer calling David’s mother, and driving with David on the highway. The officer turns to David and tell him, “You’re free”. David then thinks “I’m free?” (P. 14).

David has been told he’s free. What would a grade 5 think when he’s told he’s free? 

Kevin Francis

3rd year Child and Youth Worker

Sheridan College 

References: 

Kail, R. & Zolner, Z. (2013). Children: a chronological approach (3rd ed.). Person Canada Inc.

Toronto, Ontario. ISBN: 978-0-13-706987-3 

            

 Perry, B. D. & Szalavitz, M. (2006). The boy who was raised as a dog and other stories from a

child psychiatrist’s notebook. New York, NY. eISBN: 978-0-786-72188-7