Abram Wiebe's Started From The Bottom

His mother and his father were also apart

children to raise. He was not getting enough attention as he wanted at home, he got his

He knows what it feels like to be lonely and overwhelmed so he will always try to go out of his way to make a new friend, encourage someone who might be overwhelmed, and be a thoughtful listener to anyone who just needs to talk, just to show someone cares; he cares.

Communication is one of the most important things we learn throughout life. Communication is the ability to transfer

I have learned that being able to utilise good communication skills is fundamental when working with children. It is so important to building and supporting ongoing relationships, which, along with listening,

the lives of his family exceedingly, “...he scrupulously avoided contacting either his parents or Carine, the

had to raise his two brothers because their father wasn’t able to care for them after he became an alcoholic because of the passing of his wife.

He was often punished when his brothers weren 't, even if they were doing the same thing. He was able to be adventurous but instead was stuck with guilt. Throughout his years he also faced the emotional toll of abuse in many ways. One way his mother did this was by no longer calling him by his name, and not referring to him as a human. Dave states in his book, “that death would be better than my prospects for any kind of happiness. I was nothing but an “it”.” Children and adolescents go through a stage where they are trying to figure out who they are. With an abusive mother who takes away your identity it would be really hard to figure out who you are and you would be confused on what roles to play. Erikson’s stages emphasize family and culture. Erikson noted that psychological conflicts, especially in childhood within families, affect people lifelong.

Throughout the book, it was also emphasized many times that he felt separated from his parents because of the difference in their education level. “I was

He has been through a lot in his life, but his faith has not

He decided to go for his dream despite the fact that he is being told he can’t change his path be his focus and determination enables him get through it define all the odds. I think his loyalty to his friends also enabled him go a long way. He did not let the fame and the riches break the bonds

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” Jim Valvano. My dad is the best guy in the world. There are two main reasons that I would like to pay tribute to my dad; my dad was there for me when I needed him the most, and he also believed in me when I did not.

was a significant turning point in his life. He was in his late twenties and excited for the

When I asked him what his idea of what a man and a woman was supposed to be growing up he replied “I guess a man was supposed to go get a job, find a wife, have a couple of kids and provide for the family. Women stayed home and looked after the kids, they didn’t work as much as today”. As expected women were your typical stay at home parent who took care of the cleaning, cooking and the kids while dad did all the money making.

Everyone that he has been in contact with always enjoys being around him. He has definitely complimented my attitude when it comes to my outlook on life. He is an ideal role model for anyone that has met him.