Peter Dankelson (born 2000) is a guitar player, motivational speaker and author from Libertyville, Illinois. He was born with Goldenhar syndrome which comprises a number of birth defects including a severe facial deformity. He is co-owner of Pete's Diary LLC, which publishes, distributes, and manages his books and music. Pete's Diary is also the name of his band. MusicRadar named him one of "The 13 best online guitar personalities of 2020".
Peter (Pete) Dankelson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michigan |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Early life
editDankelson was born in Michigan in the year 2000.[1] He was born 10 weeks early and weighed less than three pounds.[2] He was born with numerous birth defects such as microtia and atresia due to Goldenhar syndrome, and has had 36 surgeries to correct his facial, airway and other deformities.[3] He was born without a left ear or left ear canal. At birth, he needed tracheostomy surgery.[1]
When he was in high school he and his family moved to Libertyville, Illinois. In high school he had surgery to install a bone anchored hearing aid called the Baha 5 Sound Processor.[1] He attended Libertyville High School.[4]
He is a member of the Children's Craniofacial Association.[5]
Career
editHe is a musician and a motivational speaker. He operates a motivational website called Pete's Diary.[3] On the Pete's Diary website Dankelson states that he began playing guitar when he was 15 years old. He claims to have 700,0000 social media followers.[6] In December 2022 MusicRadar published an article titled "The 13 best online guitar personalities of 2020, as voted by you". They named Peter Dankelson (Pete's Diary) 3rd on their list.[7]
Dankelson is the subject of two books. He co-wrote "How I Learned To Rock My Life: The Peter Dankelson Story".[8] His mother and business partner Dede Dankelson wrote the book "Peter's Rockin' Ear: A Story of Self-Acceptance"[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Lippit, Clara (26 January 2021). "Child with Goldenhar syndrome proudly shows off Baha 5 Sound Processor, continually choosing courage over fear". Cochlear. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "'Kindness is cool:' Teen celebrates his differences using grace, humor to teach others". Nexstar Media Inc. WGN9. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Peter Dankelson Gets "Hellbound" on Stage with Buckcherry; Live Video". Brave Words. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Constable, Burt (27 October 2018). "Lake Zurich woman's charity gives voice to those with rare diseases". Daily Herald. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "Event helps kids with facial deformities feel 'normal'". USA Today. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "Pete's Diary About". Pete's Diary. Pete's Diary. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ "The 13 best online guitar personalities of 2020, as voted by you". Music Radar. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ^ Dankelson, Peter (2022). How I learned to rock my life : the Peter Dankelson story (1st ed.). [Place of publication not identified]: Pete's Diary. ISBN 978-0578321875.
- ^ Dankleson, Dede (2022). Peter's Rockin ear. [S.l.]: Bibliokid Publishing. ISBN 978-1955767330.