The Unbreakable Child [Hardcover]

Kim Michele Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* While the abuses of Catholic priests have been making headlines in recent years, little has been heard about mistreatment at the hands of nuns. Here Richardson, who was raised in a Catholic orphanage in Kentucky in the 1960s, recounts the horrors that she and countless other children endured there and takes readers on her journey to rid herself of the awful memories. Her catharsis comes with a lawsuit, which she and 44 other survivors brought against the order that ran the orphanage. Richardson tells two simultaneous stories. In one, she recalls episodes from her childhood where her “misbehavior” (such as leaving soil on her panties) led to unheard-of punishments. In the other, she takes us through the steps of the group lawsuit, from the first meeting with the attorney to the first deposition where a sister was present to, finally, a settlement, the first of its kind against Catholic nuns. Richardson’s candid accounts are chilling, and the strength she shows—with a very supportive husband at her side—is inspiring. Remarkably, she did not abandon the church and in fact sends her children to Catholic schools. Hers is a beautifully told story about strength and an enduring faith that can lead but one place: to forgiveness. --Mary Frances Wilkens

Review

"Richardson's candid accounts are chilling, and the strength she shows—with a very supportive husband at her side—is inspiring. Remarkably, she did not abandon the Church and in fact sends her children to Catholic schools. Hers is a beautifully told story about strength and an enduring faith that can lead but one place: to forgiveness."  —Booklist, starred review

"The Unbreakable Child is an act of courage, a book that insists on the primacy of justice, no matter how long the delay. Kim Michele Richardson, an author determined to give traumatic memories a rightful meaning, is one indestructible woman."  —Jason Berry, author, Vows of Silence

"This is a gripping account not just of horrific betrayal but also of heroic recovery."  —David Clohessy, director of SNAP and winner, People Magazine's 25 Most Intriguing People in 2003

"Not so much a tragic tale as it is a testament to the resilience of human nature and the fighting spirit residing somewhere in each of us."  —Greg Barrett, veteran journalist and author, The Gospel of Father Joe

"The most powerful story I've read in a long time. You'll feel her pain and her triumph, and be reminded that the human spirit is resilient beyond all reason. This book will change you."  —Jenna Glatzer, author, Celine Dion: For Keeps

"A harrowing, but beautifully crafted saga of one woman's courageous fight against evil, and her victory over the greatest titan in history—the Catholic church. This is a book that will haunt you."  —Alanna Nash, author, The Colonel

"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."  —Kentucky Examiner

"A must read for students entering the field of social work! Thank you, Ms. Richardson, for opening your life and sharing your journey for our betterment."  —Dr. Eugene H. Foster, former state child welfare executive

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Kunati Inc.; 1ST edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160164163X
• ISBN-13: 978-1601641632
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Saint Vincent

More About the Author

Kim Michele Richardson is actively involved in victim abuse and works with legal advisors and government officials. Kim also works closely with many survivors/victims of all types of abuse. As the KY spokesperson for SNAP, Global, Kim is the go-to contact for news media for the endemic abuse crisis and has appeared on national radio, news print, TV news channels, and on PBS stations.

Kim is also a contributor to The Huffington Post and writes about societal issues. Kim mentors teen and adult writing workshops and student reading groups and has also implemented and designed successful programs to help homeless shelters - programs that teach students about giving back to their communities.

Kim volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, is a graduate of Sullivan University, and resides in Kentucky with her forever family, which includes several beloved adopted critters.

The Unbreakable Child is her first book.

Official website
http//www.theunbreakablechild.com



Causes this author supports:

Habitat For Humanity

Family and Children's Place

Maryhurst

Save The Children

SNAP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking and Hopeful, April 1, 2009

By 

Alice Loweecey "eclectic writer" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unbreakable Child (Hardcover)

The Unbreakable Child will rip your heart out of your chest and dangle it in front of you. You'll ignore that minor inconvenience, because your eyes won't move from the pages of Kim Richardson's debut memoir. This is the story of Richardson's nine years in a Kentucky orphanage. At the same time, it's the story of the lawsuit brought against the order of nuns who ran the orphanage by Richardson and forty-four other former orphans.

You know those sensational stories splashed across the newspapers and leading the nightly news? The ones about priests and nuns abusing and molesting children? Kim lived it.

Kim and her three older sisters were taken from their neglectful mother when Kim was a toddler. The beatings started soon after and didn't stop until the girls' mother was granted custody again nine years later. There were bright spots--the gardener's flowers and homemade cookies, the friendships, the visits from the mostly ineffectual social worker. But the brightest spot was perhaps the death of Kim's main abuser.

Interspersed with the story of Kim's childhood is the story of the lawsuit. Forty-five regular people against the might of the Church might seem too daunting to attempt. But one lawyer took on the task, and won. Kim's struggle against high-powered lawyers mirrors her indomitable spirit struggling against years of abuse. Kim came out the victor both times. The end of this book, with Kim loved by her husband and children, is a testament to hope and strength.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribute to Resilience, June 5, 2009

By 

Dr. Eugene H. Foster "former state child wel... (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unbreakable Child (Hardcover)

Through the pages of this well written memoir, Kim Richardson puts a "face" on all children who have suffered abuse at the hand of those charged to protect and nurture them. In an age where abuse of children and vulnerable adults seems epidemic, her story reminds the reader of the responsibility we all have to be vigilant for evidence of abuse of those who cannot protect themselves and quick to report suspected abuse to the appropriate authority.

This is not just a story of injustice and cruelty beyond belief, but is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the triumph of perseverance and determination over stark adversity. Readers who have suffered an abusive past will be inspired by Ms. Richardson's example of hope, courage, and reconciliation. Those who have devoted their careers to protecting children will face their work with a renewed sense of mission. No one will read this book and not be deeply affected.

It is a must read for students entering the field of social work!

Thank you, Ms. Richardson, for opening your life and sharing your journey for our betterment.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Vital Book for Our Times, April 2, 2009

By 

Thomma Lyn "author and reader" (East Tennessee) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Unbreakable Child (Hardcover)

I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough. This edition of The Unbreakable Child, published by Behler Publications, is new and expanded, and contains a reader's guide. The memoir details Kim's horrific abuse as a child at the hands of the clergy who were supposed to be caring for her and nurturing her, and it also chronicles Kim's work, together with other former orphans, with William McMurray, a strong advocate for victims of clergy and institutional abuse. Kim and other former orphans were the first clergy abuse victims to win a settlement against an order of Catholic nuns. The book is very timely, with new horror stories of clergy abuse coming to light each day.

Kim's story is healing to those who have themselves experienced such horrors, and it is a testament to Kim's spirit, her unbreakable strength, and the power which resides in her heart to forgive. Her memoir also offers encouragement to people who have suffered abuse, that it is possible to strengthen the broken places and live fully and freely. And last but not least, her book plays a strong and vital role in demanding accountability and apology from the Catholic church, acknowledgement by the Church of the wrongs committed by its clergy to bring about an environment, in all institutions of the Church, in which those wrongs will never be tolerated again.

Kim Michele Richardson is an inspiration and a true heroine.