A portion of our project includes the collection of data and stories from people who, like us, have been disowned from their families. If you have been disowned, help us in our efforts to publish this work by taking our survey, found here:
Please click here to take the: Survey
Further, we are accepting stories that may be included in the book.
Submission Guidelines
Name
Phone Number
Email Address
We are looking for a variety of stories and hope for a large number of submissions. Please submit a summary of the circumstances behind your disownment. If we’re interested in using your story, we will respond asking for further information and a lengthier, more detailed account.
Length: Under 500
Address the following-
Age of disownment, current age, the reason for disownment and how it has affected you.
Please take the survey first to see the types of elements we are seeking in your story.
By submitting your story, you are relinquishing the rights to Bridget R. Gaudette and Emma S. Phillips so that it may be printed, reproduced, distributed, or modified at their discretion.
Submit to GrievingForTheLiving@gmail.com. Subject line: Grieving Story Submission
I do have an incredible story, but am not much of a writer. I would need some help, but want to have my story heard to help others.
Go ahead and submit a short version according to the guidelines.
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My mother died on 3-11-04 and since my brother came in and took many items during my grievance he has now moved into my subdivision and I have offered amends but he brought everything back and I fell over it and broke my hip. He did not attend our mother’s funeral because they were hanging wallpaper and only lived a few miles from here. People came from 1000 miles away and he continues to disassociate himself from his only living family member. When our mother died I took care of her for many years and while in Hospice I told her it was ok to go to dad, grandma, grandpa and my sister and she took her last breath. He stood there and said, “HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY”? I have seen him a few times here at our restaurant and him and his wife have completely ignored my extension of amends for trying to be a family again. I am now suffering from cancer and it is very heartbreaking to think that I have NO ONE to lean on for help and support, especially family.
Cathleen, Feel free to submit your story via the guidlines above. It really seems like your story could be helpful to others.
I have been trying to process the loss of a son who rejected his family 5 years ago , especially me. His brother and I are just devastated, but I seem to suffer the most. His brother is now married w/ children so he has a new family but I do not. I went through a bad divorce and my Sean left-forever. I thought my son was gay and tried to support that. He turned out to be bi curious and spends much time around queer culture, but has told me I “wanted” him to be gay. There were indicators. I am in recovery from alcohol for many years, but never forgiven for not being a better mom. His brother went through a battle with drug use as well. My son just turned on his heel, moved to NY and never spoke to either of us again. His birth-Dad was very abusive and I left when my estranged son was a baby. They’ve reconnected and much truth is denied, His birth Dad financially supports the estranged son’s music career. It is a mess. There are many parents whose sons/daughters have disowned them. I know for me, I deal with the pain often. Like anyone else in this book, I just want some recognition of the good in me. I am in school getting a teaching certification, I am in local theater and I am respected and loved by many. The one thing I want more than anything is my younger son back. I cannot do the survey because there is no option for surveying the child abandoning the parent. Please consider including this topic in your research.