tgifbm! the unbreakable child

synopsis:

Grim yet ultimately inspiring, this harrowing biography catalogues years of institutional abuse that took place in the Saint Thomas–Saint Vincent Orphan Asylum, a Catholic orphanage in Anchorage, Kentucky. After many years of neglect by their drug-addicted mother, Kim and her three older sisters were abandoned to the uncharitable care of the Sisters of Charity. Detailing daily regimens of physical and mental abuse at the hands of the nuns, this chilling memoir explains how the Roman Catholic Church kept the orphanage hidden from prying eyes, miles from any main thoroughfare, allowing mistreatment to continue for decades. Describing her life through adulthood and the decision to finally expose the injustices after more than 30 years, this courageous tale chronicles the lawsuit initiated by 45 survivors, the two years of litigation, and the first successful prosecution of a lawsuit against Roman Catholic nuns in the US for decades of abuse in an orphanage.

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it's a pleasure to have my friend, kimmi, the author of

the compelling debut, The Unbreakable Child, join us for

a Thank Goodness It's Free Books Monday give away and

interview. i've known kimmi as an online friend for a while

before getting to meet her at ALA chicago in 2009. she is

beautiful, vivacious and kind, and i'm unsurprised that she

had the strength of soul and courage to share what she does

with the world in her debut. it is a difficult read, but inspiring.

a necessary read, i think, and highly recommended.

kimmi, i can only imagine how challenging it was for you

to write this very personal and painful memoir. can you tell us

about your writing process for your debut? did you write

chronologically? how long did it take you to complete your first draft?

My first draft was written with what I refer to as its nourishment:

The Three T's. tea, typing and tears and during the historic

lawsuit phase and lasted until settlement. Written as an outline,

interweaving past (life at the orphanage) through present as the

lawsuit played out and ended. Then it was given as a gift to the

champion attorney, William F. McMurry, to express gratitude and

to show him his own self worth.

i'd like to talk about two people who were kind

and made a positive impact in your life in your debut. the

first is mrs. lindauer, who gave you the beautiful bracelet

on your birthday. (that scene was so touching, kimmi.) did

you ever see her again after you left the orphanage? did you

ever think of trying to contact her?

Ms. Lindauer was present throughout my youth and teenage years.

After leaving the orphanage, I found myself in another turbulent–

dangerous environment, eating toothpaste — struggling to survive.

But, Ms. Lindauer was indeed the fairy godmother; she would show

up when I needed her most.

Sadly, we lost contact after I reached adulthood and I have now

heard she has passed.

and your husband who a reader can tell from your story

gives you so much support, love and strength. do you mind

sharing with us how you met? =)

I knew my love eight years before we married. He was a beat

cop; I was a college student, busy with life, work and survival.

Arriving home late one night, I found two brawny construction

workers fighting in front of the condo next to mine. I was tired.

There was blood everywhere. I wedged myself between them, hoping

to stop–calm them. The workers told me; they'd been drinking,

and then one worker started dissing the other's girlfriend. I separated

and shamed them, examined their wounds, then placed one in my

condo on my couch (the least bloody one) and the other back into

his condo.

The police–ambulance were called. My love made the

'run'. After that and a whole lotta thank you's written on band aides

and stuck on my door by the construction workers the next morning,

I'd see my love drive by, watching me to make sure I made it safely

into my condo in the evenings. I'd wave my thanks and occasionally

stop and talk to him. Finally, with a little coaxing from and in the

presence of his partner, he got up enough nerve to ask me out.



i love that story. i was also glad to be able to meet your

husband at ALA chicago, kimmi. what do you hope readers

take away after reading The Unbreakable Child?

TUC is on the cutting edge for speaking out on what is

now a Humanity Crisis with the Catholic clergy, and the

first book of its kind in traditional publishing; a very important

part of history – a lesson, hopefully, so history does not repeat

itself. I'm finding from readers, you don't need to be an orphan

to relate or gain. I have received emails and letters from people in

their teens to their eighties. And I've also received from, equally,

and just as many, from people with no background of abuse and

from those who have suffered many different types of abuse—

injustices in life. I'm humbled to find many write, saying they

found TUC inspiring and uplifting and have gained strength from

reading it.

so well said, kimmi. and i agree completely. your story is still

so relevant today. last but not least, i always have to ask, what is your

favorite pastry?

Easy-peasy. Any pastry Cindy Pon is taunting us with at the moment.

Xx Thank you for having me, Cindy.

hee! great answer. and thanks so much for stopping by,

kimmi. congratulations again on your courageous and inspiring

debut!

okay, readers. tell me where you find

strength and inspiration in the comments to enter

to win a copy of The Unbreakable Child! this contest is open

world wide and will close friday, 10/15, when i'll choose a

random winner. good luck!!