The Unbreakable Child

Simplicity, the Greatest Gift

2011-12-03T18:34:00.001-08:00

Recently I took a train excursion. An adorable farm couple seated themselves across from me. Both seemed a bit uncomfortable, wore shy smiles, and spoke quietly as we passed through the mountains together.

I could gauge that the farm woman had probably insisted her husband spiff-up in his "Sunday Best" by the nervous tugs and finger sweeps around his crisp checked collar.

The farmer leaned over and told me this was his first time in four and a half years he'd taken a single day off -- that the small day trip was their vacation. He didn't have to tell me: Farm work is never done. He went on to announce quietly that he grew more than 700 acres of sweet taters along with raising thousands of pigs. And even more shyly gave me his farm's brand name that his ham and sweet taters were sold under at the Wal-Mart store.

He asked if I had kids. I nodded and he proudly told me about his own. "Three grown- 'uns and college graduated." He beamed. "They all earn'degreeees." Words slowed and slid easily. "But they're now workin' the family farm."

His wife touched his hand.

This couple haunted me long after we parted. For weeks I thought about their modest but clean clothes. Their smiles. The huge gaps of missing teeth, forever gone, forgotten and sacrificed, because of college tuition and bad crop years.

I reflected on the way they'd sat close together -- always touching. Their scrubbed and shiny pink faces and hands, and the black nail dirt tattooed underneath, nails which would forever bear the mark of their labor. An honest badge of hard, never-ending labor, I knew was earned.

The right paths taken.

No gravy train ride and entitlement for these folks.

Faces of faith, pride and peace.

Simplicity.

And I had a thought which gave way to a dawning of realization: we have left the Earth sorely fractured, but we didn't break this family -- the goodness, raw honesty, perseverance and the beauty and simplicity of this family, which shines like a beacon of bright hope, forever intact.

via Huffington Post, by Kim Michele Richardson

Penn State, Citadel in SC, Syracuse Univ.: The Emperor's New Clothes, 2011 Edition?

2011-11-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

The Emperor's New Clothes, 2011 Edition?
via HuffPo, by Kim Michele Richardson

At its core, I think fear is a real quandary for society. All we have at the moment is exposure of crimes and a salute to the victims, the brave ones who courageously stand up to these bullying organizations and institutions.

Maybe that is the solution. Maybe we can follow the example of these individuals who refuse to be silenced, who instead point the finger despite the fear of being disbelieved or the threat of losing their job. These bold souls are teaching us how to be brave. The least we can do is be a voice with theirs. Continue reading via The Huffington Post

*cartoon by Marc Murphy, used with permission.

Proposed World Wide Registry for Catholic Clergy Predators

2011-10-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Proposed Registry, by Kim Michele Richardson via Huffington Post

Recently, the Boston Archdiocese released a list of accused clergy.

A good first step. A move in the right direction. But also mind-boggling is the number of Catholic clergy predators in one town.

Hopefully, one day soon, we'll see more lists from all around the United States, the world. Even better would be if the Church would create one world-wide database that lists all of the accused clergy sex offenders, both living and dead.

This world-wide registry, a clergy predator site, provided by the Catholic Church and similar to the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Registry, would be available to the general public, assist law enforcement, give a much-needed tool to parents and communities, and provide awareness and child safety to the general populace, as well as providing the relocation information of Catholic clergy predators into unsuspecting communities. To continue reading click here

The Unbreakable Child for Classroom Study & Book Trailer

2011-04-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

This year's graduate nursing students at Bellarmine University were assigned The Unbreakable Child for classroom study.

The students gave an A+
professional presentation of The Unbreakable Child, including recognizing and understanding the signs of child abuse, and its prevention.

The students concluded that The Unbreakable Child will enable them to be great advocates and medical care providers for abuse victims as they go out into the world next month to begin their nursing careers.

Congrats to Bellarmine's, Lansing Nursing Class of 2011!!!

Watch The Unbreakable Book Trailer

The Church's One Simple Phrase

2011-04-06T15:40:00.001-07:00

The Church's One Simple Phrase

via Huffington Post, Kim Michele Richardson

VATICAN and ETERNAL DAMNATION

2011-02-27T07:11:00.000-08:00

Will Other Catholic Bishops Risk Eternal Damnation?

by Kim Michele Richardson, via Huffington Post

The Keeper of the Red Dot: Protecting the Elderly, via HuffPo

2011-02-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Difficult Responsibility Of Protecting An Elderly Loved One

by Kim Michele Richardson

Healing Requires Revealing: How The Church Is Failing Abuse Survivors

2010-11-27T05:51:00.000-08:00

Healing Requires Revealing: How The Church Is Failing Abuse Survivors (via The Huffington Post)
By Kim Michele Richardson

An Elusive Butterfly

2010-11-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

Protecting Children from the Church's Abuse Of Power,

The Elusive Butterfly

via Huffinton Post

-William F McMurry

The Story Circle.org Gives 5 Stars To The Unbreakable Child

2010-11-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Unbreakable Child
by Kim Michele Richardson

Behler Publications, 2010. ISBN 978-1-933-01691-7.
Reviewed by Susan Ideus,Story Circle Book Reviews Network Posted on 11/03/2010
Nonfiction: Memoir; Nonfiction: Life Lessons; Nonfiction: Faith/Spirituality/Inspiration

"How does one describe evil, and how does one explain the evils of those who wore the face of God, who cloaked evil with His Veil?" "Kim Richardson has written a stunning story of abuse, heinous crimes against helpless children, and amazing triumph over those circumstances. It is a story which both broke my heart and showed me hope and what it means to be resilient and of strong character.

Church should be a safe place and religious leaders should be models of caring and compassion. Schools and orphanages run by churches should be havens of safety and learning, not the hellish existence Richardson and so many others lived through. It boggles the mind that so many troubled abusive individuals were congregated into a single staff at one orphanage in rural Kentucky. ..."

"One day I'm going to be the rainbow at the end of that road and I will stretch across, disappear, and I will be in charge of my changes." At six years old, Richardson found a kernel of hope to which she clung. Ironically, perhaps, it was a rainbow, a symbol of God's hope and promise in the Bible. Not only did Richardson survive, she fought back. She found a dedicated, compassionate attorney who would help her expose the horrors and file a lawsuit against the Church and the Sisters who had terrorized so many innocents. Bad days, bad memories—yes, they exist in her life, but the good far outweighs the bad. She found in attorney McMurry a man who "knew who wore the face of God." She has the "forever family" she always dreamed of in her loving and supportive husband and children. She cheated death to live victoriously.

I would recommend this book to anyone who works with abused children or works with support groups for those who have been abused. This new edition, which includes the outcome of the lawsuit, as well as a new Readers' Guide, would make it a fine choice for book clubs. ... enlightening and encouraging. It is a triumph over great evil and against great odds. It will enrich your life."

KY Book Fair, Kim Michele Richardson

2010-11-07T04:56:00.000-08:00

I'll be at the awesome KY Book Fair this Saturday, Nov 13, 2010.

Frankfort Convention Center, Frankfort KY.

Find me in Row 7, Table 43 a. Stop by for your personal auto copy of the new 2nd edition release of The Unbreakable Child and say hey!

An Abuse Survivor's Message for the Vatican: Apologies and Accountability Are Due

2010-10-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

Picture via Huffington Post

From The Huffington Post: The Unbreakable Child's Letter to the Vatican: http://huff.to/ct7bfn

An Abuse Survivor's Message For The Vatican: Apologies And Accountability Are Due

Latest from Huffington Post, Religion: Oct 25th 2010

Courier-Journal, The Unbreakable Child Book Review: "...Important & Revelatory Book"

2010-10-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

September 18, 2010

Praise for The Unbreakable Child via book review section, The Courier-Journal.

http://www.theunbreakablechild.com/

Book Launch, The Unbreakable Child, 10.14.10

2010-10-14T05:27:00.001-07:00

The Unbreakable Child,

Book Launch,

Carmichael's Book store,

Thur 10.14.2010

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

Alaskan Teen Does Her Homework On The Unbreakable Child

2010-07-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

More and more educators and teens are asking for -- picking The Unbreakable Child for school

Dear Kim:

For my Language Arts Class I had to read a book and make a poster. I picked your book because it seemed like a good book and after reading it.... I decided it has to be one of the best. It showed me that life could be so much harder and I have great blessings in my life. And after reading it I just wanted to thank my mom.

I think (The Unbreakable Child) teaches other people to treat their life great.

For my poster I wrote in glitter because to me glitter is a sign of boldness and strength, and that you can make it through anything. That just reminds me of you.

In one corner I have the people holding hands and in the other corner the people aren’t. My class asked what that stood for, and I said the holding hands stood for a happy family, and that’s what we have. The other little people were of people who don’t have a family. No mom to call for when you’re scared or anything. And there is also a picture of you and the orphanage.

One requirement was to have a quote. I picked one quote that hit me hard: "How can someone who wears the face of God do something so evil?" That made me think.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Alexandra

The Unbreakable Child Review In The Heartland Of KY

2010-02-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

From the Heartland of Kentucky; Mary Daugherty's review of The Unbreakable Child featured in Wednesdays Women of The NEWS-ENTERPRISE newspaper, Elizabethtown, KY.
Jan 5 2010

The Unbreakable Child
Kim Richardson
By MARY DAUGHERTY
"I want to begin this year with a review of a book that comes with a message from a Kentucky author and has touched me more than any book I've read in the past year. Grim yet ultimately inspiring, "The Unbreakable Child" is a harrowing biography that catalogs years of institutional abuse that took place in the Saint Thomas-Saint Vincent Orphan Asylum, a Catholic orphanage in Anchorage, Ky.
After many years of neglect by their drug-addicted mother, Richardson and her three older sisters were abandoned to the care of the Sisters of Charity. Detailing daily regimens of physical and mental abuse at the hands of the sisters, this chilling memoir explains what happened at the orphanage and how the Roman Catholic Church kept it a secret, allowing the 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 sisters in the United States for decades of abuse in an orphanage.
Richardson's memoir started as an outline for her attorney, William McMurry, but it slowly took on a life of its own. It became a story she had to tell. To get through the lawsuit, which Richardson and her attorney initiated in 2004, she began her through the past and began confronting nightmares that would take her childhood pain out into the open. She had hid her abuses from her family and friends but soon would bare her pain to the world.
In an interview with Richardson, she said the journey has been a painful learning experience, but a light has managed to shine through for her. ..." Mary Daugherty, THE ENTERPRISE-NEWS

If you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse go to http://www.childabuse.com/ Mary Daugherty is also the branch head for the Hardin County Librarian North Branch

2010-01-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

THE UNBREAKABLE CHILD BOOK TRAILER

Produced by Kam Wai Yu, 2009

AGAIN: Report Says Irish Bishops Covered Up Child Abuse

2009-11-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

Report: Irish bishops hid abuse for decades
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 26, 2009

"... 'They were wrong, and children were left to suffer.''

...There was a similarly shocking investigation into decades of unchecked child abuse in Irish schools, workhouses and orphanages run nationwide by 19 Catholic orders of nuns, priests and brothers.

That report in May sought to document the scale of abuse as well as the reasons why church and state authorities didn't stop it, whereas Thursday's 720-page report focused on why church leaders in the Dublin Archdiocese -- home to a quarter of Ireland's 4 million Catholics -- did not tell police about a single abuse complaint against a priest until 1995.

By then, the investigators found, successive archbishops and their senior deputies -- among them qualified lawyers -- already had compiled confidential files on more than 100 parish priests who had sexually abused children since 1940. Those files had remained locked in the Dublin archbishop's private vault.

The investigators also dug up a paper trail documenting the church's long-secret insurance policy, taken out in 1987, to cover potential lawsuits and compensation demands. ...

Thursday's report detailed ''sample'' cases of 46 priests who faced 320 documented complaints, although the investigators said they were confident that the priests had abused many more children than that. They cited testimony from one priest who admitted abusing more than 100 children, and another priest who said he abused a child approximately every two weeks for 25 years. ... " read full report here

The answer to the WHY here in this article by AP "... report in May sought to document the scale of abuse as well as the reasons why church and state authorities didn't stop it ..."

"The 1962 Vatican doc spells out that secrecy is required under penalty of excommunication." --William F. McMurry. And, further explained in detail by William in The Unbreakable Child's Afterword.

Response Statement on article: by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, Founder and President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests November 27, 2009

"... One sentence says it all: "The most senior figures in the Irish hierarchy did not report these crimes. . .because of an obsessive culture of secrecy and a desire to preserve the power and aura of the Church and to avoid giving scandal to their congregations."

… In our view, perhaps the main reason so many children were so severely violated and so many Catholic employees hid the crimes can be summed up in just a few words: the rigid, secretive, all-male monarchy that is the church hierarchy. Sadly, despite all these crimes and revelations that structure and culture remains fully intact.

Let's keep in mind that while the report said "the structures and rules of the Catholic Church facilitated (the) “cover up" of child sex crimes, merely changing church rules is insufficient. It's the centuries-old secretive and monarchical culture of the church that needs reforming. Church rules are largely irrelevant, because given the nearly limitless power of bishops, there's rarely any real recourse when bishops break such rules.

Let's remember that when wrong-doing goes unpunished, wrong-doing is rewarded and repeated. History, psychology and common sense tell us that one effective way to deter others from hurtful misbehavior is to punish those who engage in hurtful misbehavior. It's not vengeful to insist that those who harmed kids - directly by abuse or less directly by cover ups - face criminal prosecution. It's right, just and caring."

28th Annual KY BOOK FAIR

2009-11-06T05:38:00.000-08:00

Join me at THE KY BOOK FAIR, this Saturday, Nov. 7th, Frankfort Convention Center, where I'll be signing The Unbreakable Child.

Blurb! Book of the Week! The Unbreakable Child Author Interview

2009-10-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

The Unbreakable Child won Blurb! Book of the Week 10/2009 for blogtalkradio.com with Dr. Kent and Sally Shields Show NYC.

Kim will be on the show Friday, Oct. 2 2009 . To tune in live you may go to the official site of blogtalkradio.com .

The Unbreakable Child, Book of The Week

Latest 10/09: Behind The Book Interviews: The Unbreakable Child.

The Unbreakable Child Featured In Writer's Digest

2009-08-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

THE UNBREAKABLE CHILD in the September 2009 issue, WRITER'S DIGEST, Writer’s Workbook feature, available at newsstands and online and in bookstores. ‘Master The Memoir Basics: 5 Essentials’ references Kim’s story as a wonderful model of how to craft a hopeful ending. “It’s a gut-wrenching book, but two things save it from being merely depressing… It delivers what the title promises…”

"Excellent endorsement, and a helpful example to those in the throes of their own life’s story." --J.M. AuthorScoop

Cross Posted : AuthorScoop.

Father Thomas Doyle, J.C.D., C.A.D.C. Speaks About The Unbreakable Child, Kim Michele Richardson, July 2009

2009-08-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

“Bad girls go to hell!” The Unbreakable Child, p. 24. So said Sister Charlie to three year old Kim, a “resident” at St. Thomas/St Vincent Orphan Asylum, situated in rural Anchorage, Kentucky. Kim didn’t have to become a bad girl nor did she have to wait. She was already in hell.

The dissonance between the promises and preaching of the official Catholic Church and the horrors perpetrated against innocent children by some of its official representatives is far more than the average decent person can even imagine much less comprehend. Probably the worst experiences of these vicious and mind-bending horrors took place in orphanages founded and run by Catholic religious orders.
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The Unbreakable Child is the story of an innocent child who not only survived her lengthy sojourn in this earth-bound hell, but emerged from it unbroken, destined to go on and accomplish the near-impossible. She and forty-four other survivors of the hell created by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth found the courage and tenacity to stand up to the mighty institution of the Roman Catholic Church, demanding that the secret world of torture, abuses and spiritual assault be exposed. They demanded justice and in so doing they unknowingly entered the final chapter of their abuse.

`
One would think that any organization, especially a Christian Church, would recoil in shock to learn that one of its own institutions, dedicated to the care of innocent children, was in fact submitting them to systematized abuse of unimaginable dimensions. Not so the official Catholic Church, in reality a monarchy the “leaders” of which have put the victims of their own abusive violence through additional re-victimization when faced with their demands for justice. Kim and her fellow survivors of the Church’s hell in rural Kentucky learned this. Her riveting tale of torture and abuse does not end with her liberation from the orphan asylum/gulag. She painfully takes the reader through her reactions to the impersonal and clearly unsympathetic legal process.

The Unbreakable Child is a true story that defies the comfortable yet unreal assumptions that the Catholic Church always means what it preaches and truly is a haven for those who are suffering, afraid and alone. It is a story of horror that justifies the saying that “truth is stranger than fiction.” The truth of Kim’s story goes beyond what one can imagine about life behind the door of the refuge for the innocent children left there. It is also a story of hope. Not only did Kim Michele Richardson (and forty-four others) win a legal case, but she and they proved that the limits of human courage cannot be fathomed nor can the power of such courage ever be second-guessed. Kim took on the vast and mighty kingdom of the Catholic Church and, in spite of its power, wealth and influence, won. Why? Because she and her fellow survivors had something sorely lacking in those who perpetrated the horrors of St. Thomas/St. Vincent.....they had truth.

A final comment. This book also introduces the attorney who guided Kim and the others through the courts as they painstakingly sought justice. William McMurry may have initially viewed this case as another legal challenge, albeit a daunting one, but he soon became more than a lawyer. He became what the official Church never provided its own victims...a compassionate friend, a staunch advocate and above all, a champion for justice.

The dark side of the Catholic Church, abuses by priests, was first exposed to the public twenty five years ago. The Unbreakable Child adds an even more mind and soul numbing dimension to this revelation, that of the physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse perpetrated on countless innocent children hidden behind the walls of the very institutions that promised them a home.
`
This book should be required reading for the church’s bishops and religious superiors who continue to distance themselves from the harsh reality of the harm inflicted and covered up by their organization. It should also be read by the countless lay people who simply refuse to believe that such nightmares are made real.
`
The Unbreakable Child is a graphically true story of a girl who thought she was abandoned by God but in reality was saved by her own strength and courage.

--Father Thomas Doyle, JCD, CADC; is a Canon lawyer who has previously been on the payroll of the Vatican Embassy in Washington DC. Since the 1980s Father Doyle has plied his legal expertise to the plight of clergy-abuse victims and subsequently, he has devoted his life to testifying as an expert witness in cases through the US and beyond.
`
He received the Cavallo Award for Moral Courage in 1992, the Priest of Integrity Award from Voice of the Faithful in 2002, and the Isaac Hecker Award from the Paulist Fathers in 2003.
`
In 2003 Doyle, a priest in the Dominican Order for the past 39 years, received an official commendation from the Order for his “prophetic work in drawing attention to clergy abuse and for advocating the rights of victims and abusers.”
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Over the past 20 years Doyle has interviewed more than 2,000 survivors of clergy abuse, written seven books, developed policies and procedures for dealing with clergy abuse for dioceses in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, testified in support of child protection laws before state legislatures, and served as an expert witness in trials of alleged abuse in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Israel and the U.K.

_________________________________

THE UNBREAKABLE CHILD BOOK TRAILER

produced by Kunati, 2009

Summer Snaps, The Unbreakable Child, ALA 2009 Conf

2009-07-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Dropping in to fill you in and to dust away the ghost poo and to say: I hope you are having a great summer!

The ALA was great. 29,000 attended reports PW. I signed a hundred copies of The Unbreakable Child in about an hour. A few hiccups but nothing major.

I packed miss-matched heels.

So how hard is it to find a Chicago shoe store in x amount of time? Heh, don't. even. ask. I arrived at the convention center and was directed to the wrong distributor/publishing group. I was chatting it up with Ingram Pearson Group INSTEAD of IPG. EEP! Ingram was great and they led dragged me to my booth. I was three minutes late and a line had formed.
`

Immediately got down to business. The librarians and educators were awesome! And, I found many teens are reaching for my book. They were saHweet and adorable. IPG was wonderful and helpful!

Met my purgy sis. Nice.

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Met a cool WP reporter. Nice.

Learned a lot. Nice.

Met Neil Gaiman. SahWeet! Along with his throng of thousands.

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Friend, Chi baby, took me to Carmines. We had a pasta dish, loaded with delicious seafood: red snapper, salmon, octopus and shrimp. Yummers! And Chi baby had a special dessert: killer chocolate with a wicked-good raspberry sauce, delivered afterward to mark my ALA event. :smoooches to Chi baby:

I've been able to give a little time to Habitat for Humanity. I came in on the final phase of this lovely house which was donated. It was gutted out, and now houses a single mum, her mum, and her two children. read more

I've also been filling boxes (lots) for a group home for troubled teens, which I've promised. There are 158 teens who desperately need and require many many teen items. And many of the charities are suffering due to our recession. So, I've been trying to be creative by filling the boxes with journals, teen books, lipstick, hair accessories etc. I've met the teens and they are smart--beautiful, and although they have been severely abused, they are thriving in a caring environment. They love to knit, garden, wear make-up, read and just be a teen. They sew and handcraft beautiful blankets, then donate them to the mission houses, amongst but a few. There is a small 'boutique' on the grounds. The teens earn pretend money, and then are allowed to go into the 'boutique' where they can shop and purchase donated items. The shop is sorely lacking.

The Unbreakable Child Trailer

PBS Interview KET KY ONE To ONE

2009-07-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

PBS KET TV With Bill Goodman interview, Kim Michele Richardson, The Unbreakable Child

OTHER MEDIA:

WHAS TV NEWS In Depth Interview with Rachel Platt. April, 2009: Here

WAVE TV NEWS STORY: September 8, 2009: Here

The Unbreakable Child Headline News

2009-06-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

March 18th, 2009, The Courier-Journal

courier-journal.com

Book Trailer The Unbreakable Child, ALA Conference 2009

2009-06-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

THE UNBREAKABLE CHILD
A Story About Forgiving The Unforgivable
Author, Kim Michele Richardson

Catholic Orphanages Irish Commision Report, Who Indeed?

2009-05-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

Irish Commision Report And Catholic Orphanages
10:09 PM PDT, May 22, 2009

The Pen and Palette is asking the question, "Who Wears the Face of God? the target seeking missile question woven throughout Kim Michele Richardson's inforgettable memoir, The Unbreakable Child. And the release of Ireland's commisioned report on edemic rape and abuse in Church-run schools and orphanages and last month's release of The Unbreakable Child, bookends this tragedy on the other side of the world.

The Face of God: In Ireland? Memphis?
"On April 16th, 2009 I did a post called, “Who Wears the Face of God?” which was a book review of Kim Michele Richardson’s book, The Unbreakable Child. I was so struck by the importance of getting Kim’s story out there (she was one of many orphans abused by nuns and priests in a Catholic orphanage in Kentucky) that on May 1st, I also posted an interview with Kim. ...

So when a friend called on Wednesday to ask if I’d seen the articles about the Irish Commission’s report after ten years of investigation into the abuse of more than 30,000 children in Irelandover a seventy-year span, I immediately looked up several sites, starting with The Guardian and then the Bloomberg Report. Finally the news made it to Memphis with a short piece in Thursday’s Commercial Appeal. Ritualized beatings and rapes that have been covered up by the clergy for decades. The report..." read more
--Susan Cushman

The Unbreakable Child Interview on William F. McMurry

2009-05-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

Cross Posted: Writer In Waiting

Today, I am letting my readers interview the real-life male protagonist, William F. McMurry, woven throughout my book, The Unbreakable Child. I gathered up some of your questions and he gives his responses below.

William, has in the past, and is currently the champion and strong voice for, amongst but just a few, victims of clergy abuse, fighting tirelessly for justice. And recently, William was co-counsel with Morris Dees and won a $2.5 million verdict against the leaders of the Imperial Klans of America for the racial attack of a 16-year-old boy of Panamanian descent.

Mr. McMurry, does this change the way you perceive humanity?
WFM: I began my law career as a prosecutor. I have been trained to believe that crimes should not go unpunished. I have been exposed to every brutal crime and inhumanity that exists in our world. My perception of the evil among us has not lessened over the last 30 years.

Mr. McMurry, during the proceedings, how did you keep your anger in check?
WFM: It is important to always remember that you cannot be angry and smart at the same time. I prefer to stay smart.

Have any of your other clients been able to write about the clergy abuses? If not, do you think Ms. Richardson's book will open the door for others to do so?
WFM: I am aware of others writing books, but none were published to my knowledge. It takes rare talent to tell a story of this nature and see it through to publishing.

Mr. McMurry, what was your biggest personal challenge during your clergy lawsuits?
WFM: Being available to my clients night and day. I was only able to get 3-4 hours of sleep for months. I was hard to live with and my Catholic-raised wife (and I was sharing office space with her father) was seriously troubled by the constant stream of news as the case unfolded and my involvement in this work. We separated and divorced within 8 months of my taking the first case in April of 2002.

How difficult is it to set aside the horrific facts and being immersed in a case like Kimmi’s, and close your briefcase and not have it eating at you all night when you're home with your own family?
WFM: It simply cannot be done. When one absorbs such grief and suffering, as you must in these circumstances, it affects everyone with whom you come into contact.

Mr. McMurry, how did you respond to devout Catholics who believed you were wrong to be involved in suing the church on something many of them, without having seen the evidence, would have found hard to believe?
WFM: As hard as it is to believe, and it seems counter-intuitive, virtually all of my mail, notes, cards, messages and taps on the shoulder were extremely supportive, after I had amassed enough victims to tip the credibility scale. The reality is, Catholics know the difference between right and wrong. They understand the importance of standing up for those who have been wronged, even if it is their church that committed the wrongs. I personally feel that the parishioners should not have to bear the economic burden of these cases, but the responsibility should be borne by the Holy See. The Bishops were carrying out direct orders that they not report known or suspected child abuse, which reporting is required of every citizen, by State law.

What did you see as your biggest challenge with this lawsuit?
WFM: The statute of limitations required that any claim of abuse by a child be brought by a lawsuit before their 19th birthday, if they seek to hold the perpetrator's employer (Archdiocese/Diocese) accountable.

Mr. McMurry, as a writer I'm curious, how did you feel when you first held Kimmi's published memoir in your hands?
WFM: Relief. Kim put so much of herself on the line for this book. I wanted to see it published.

Mr. McMurry, what was the key piece of evidence that persuaded the church to settle?
WFM: If by church you mean the Archdiocese of Louisville which settled 243 of my cases for $25.7 million in 2003, the evidence of the Church’s knowledge was in the Church files. Probably the most powerful testimony came from former priest Louis Miller (named as the perp in 90 of the 243 cases). He testified that he twice went to two different Archbishops telling of his abuse of kids and that he could not stop himself. He wanted to be relieved of his duties and released from an environment where he could not control his urges. Both of the Archbishops sent him back into the parishes, saying “go and sin no more.”

What can you say to persuade victims of these sorts of crimes to come forward years later? In your experience, have they found it to be therapeutic?
WFM: The healing begins when the victim comes forward and points their finger at the institution that allowed this abuse to occur. All child victims carry a sense of guilt and responsibility for their abuse. Only when, as adults, they stand up and point the finger at the responsible party do they stop blaming themselves, so the healing can begin.

How can we get more people to be brave and honest in the face of evil that's embedded in the Church?
WFM: For some reason the practice of law attracts far too many men and women who put money and their personal agendas before others. I like the line from The Life of David Gayle, which reads..."Remember, in the end, the significance of our lives will be measured by the value we place on the lives of others."

Are you hopeful about the Vatican Case and the possibilities for change it could bring?
WFM: It is crucial that the institution responsible for the abuse be held accountable. Secrecy allowed decades of abuse to occur. The Holy See mandated that secrecy and should be held accountable to US citizens, in US Courts.
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Thank you, William, for your courage, perseverance and dedication to so many. We should all be so lucky to have a William in our corner. Now more than ever the world can definitely use a lot more William F. McMurry’s.

Press Release: The Unbreakable Child, A Step Forward To Healing

2009-04-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Press Release, The Unbreakable Child, A Step Foward
April 26th 5:54 pm EST
Dear Friends,
After reading The Unbreakable Child, I am heartsick at the horrific abuses you suffered. As a Sister, I am so very sorry that we did not “wear the face of God” for you. That is our deepest call, especially to the innocent and vulnerable. I grieve that it was on our watch and at our hands that you suffered, knowing that the suffering still impacts your life today and to some degree always will. Each of you is a precious child of God. Your experiences were so contrary to that message and to the Gospel. In that, you were failed miserably.
Thank you for your tremendous courage in coming forward and speaking the truth. In your suffering, you wear the face of God for us. I believe that until we (as individuals and as an institutional Church) see in your face the face of the Crucified Jesus and respond with compassion, integrity, and true repentance, healing and freedom will elude us.
I am a survivor of clergy sexual abuse. I stand in solidarity with you in your pain and in hope with you as you heal.

Sister Ann-Marie Borgess, SND
Toledo,
Ohio
_______
REVIEW
Windsongs of the
Heart
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Review of Kim Michele Richardson's book...The Unbreakable Child

"I have finished reading Kim Michele Richardson's first book. The Unbreakable
Child. A Memoir.
This book, once opened, cannot be closed until the end. Except for blurry eyes and the need for a few hours sleep I did not close this book until the end.
A story hard to read if you've ever been a victim of child abuse. At the same time, a beautiful recount of the strength and braveness from such a young child reaches across the written page and touches the heart. Gives strength to those who know. Strength to put such a life past them. Strength to move forward and live the life of their dreams. Strength to "forgive the unforgivable."
This story is well written. The timeline, the way Kim weaves the present with the past, is flawless. The prose, the repeated phrases at just the right moments in the story, touch you to the core. To the center of your heart. It reaches into your soul and brings out sorrow and compassion for the young Kimmi. Such a
young child. Nine years of terrible, unspeakable abuse. Like her title…"unbreakable."
I'm still reeling from her lost childhood. I feel certain, as a child, I'd never have had the strength, the courage, to keep it together.
All throughout the book Kim asked, "Who wears the face of God?" She gives the
full answer at the end. I won't tell you, you'll have to read it for yourself.
But I will say, this book is a must read. People need to know. People need to remove their blinders. People need to see the signs and respond compassionately.
This book will open hearts as well as eyes. It healed mine.
You'll cry, cringe in fear, laugh, giggle, and rejoice with Kim as she turns her soul inside out for you.
God bless you Kim, for sharing your childhood with the world. For being so brave to relive it all as you put the words on paper for us to read. You are a champion!
I wish Kim great success with this book and hopes she continues to write."
From a fan and friend-- Windsongs of the Heart

THE UNBREAKABLE CHILD BOOK LAUNCH

2009-04-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

April 13, 2009, 10:13 am by KUNATI.com

Kim Michele Richardson's Unbreakable Child Launches with a Bang
Kim Michele Richardson -- already profiled on WHAS 11 TV, Mancow talkshow and featured in daily papers, TV and radio -- launched her tell-all emotional book The Unbreakable Child (ISBN 9781601641632) to a crowd at Carmichael's, one of nation's hottest bookstores.

The Unbreakable Child is the darling of reviewers, with starred reviews and TV host endorsements, and already a breakaway hot title. The book tells of heartbreaking abuse in an orphanage, but is also an inspiring story of forgiveness and reconciliation.

The event was held Saturday at 2720 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, Kentucky. Nearly all the books were sold out despite a rush second order for the event.

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“This is a gripping account not just of horrific betrayal but also of heroic recovery.”-David Clohessy, Director of SNAP, named People Magazine's 25 "Most Intriguing People" 2003

NEXT AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING

INDOOR EVENT

LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FIELD STADIUM
11:00 am - 1:30pm

TUE, April 14th, 2009

Starred Review, The Unbreakable Child

2009-03-10T12:49:00.001-07:00

STARRED REVIEW for Kim Michele Richardson's The Unbreakable Child!

The Unbreakable Child: A Story about Forgiving the Unforgivable.Richardson, Kim Michele (Author)Apr 2009. 240 p. Kunati, hardcover, $24.95. (9781601641632). 364.15.

"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 ... led to unheard-of punishments. In the other, she takes us through the steps of the 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."
--American Library Association's Booklist, starred review

Review
buddyhollywood.com
Tuesday, 10 March 2009

The Unbreakable Child, By Kim RichardsonKunati, Inc.

"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." ... read more

-- buddyhollywood.com, Alice Loweecey
On the shelves April 1

2009-02-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

">REVIEWS

"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."

"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, Vows of Silence

“This is a gripping account not just of horrific betrayal but also of heroic recovery.” –David Clohessy, Director of SNAP, named People Magazine's 25 'Most Intriguing People 2003.

“The Unbreakable Child is 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. In recounting her childhood abuse at the hands of those we most revere and put our trust in, Kim encourages victims everywhere to stand up to the bullies and bully pulpits that dictate to us and misuse positions of authority. The Unbreakable Child is more than a wakeup call for the Catholic Church and child care institutions; it's a rally cry for the rest of us to hold our religious, legal and political authorities accountable." --Greg Barrett, Veteran Journalist and Author of The Gospel of Father Joe

“The Unbreakable Child is 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