Nelson Lauver
Nelson Lauver (1963-) is an American radio personality and motivational speaker who grew up in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. He is the host/creator of The American Storyteller Radio Journal.
Biography
Nelson Lauver grew up in the small village of McAlisterville, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of three children born to Clair and Thelma Lauver. Clair owned a small oil company and provided gasoline, heating oil and motor oil to the rural (farming and timber) area. Thelma worked in various occupations from textile mills to nursing homes. She preferred to work the night shift and sleep during the day.
Nelson had an insatiable curiosity AbOUT the people of his community. He was fascinated by the details of their lives. He knew who was related to who, from what part of the world a citizen's ancestors had originated, who had served in the military, etc. Nelson's mind seemed to have a limitless storehouse where he could tuck information away and then call upon it when needed.
For as gifted as young Lauver's mind must have seemed to those around him who had witnessed his encyclopedic memory, there was something wrong. Nelson was a very poor student. As an elementary student he struggled with school work. By the time he became a junior high student he was a very angry young man who was often physically "disciplined" for poor classroom performance and bad behavior.
Nelson was pushed through the system and permitted to graduate in 1981. Nelson graduated 104 out of a class of 104, in spite of his failing grades. Three other students in his class were refused diplomas for poor marks. Lauver would later return his High School Diploma as he felt he had not earned it.
Nelson graduated from high school functionally illiterate with the reading and writing proficiency of a second grade student. Twelve years later he was diagnosed as being dyslexic and set out on a journey of self improvement.
See also
- List of people diagnosed with dyslexia