On Saturday, May 21, I was invited to meet with the board of the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance in Mohnton, PA. Five members of the board were there in person, with others attending via conference call. All of the members have backgrounds in working for and with intellectually disabled individuals. Greg Pirmann, in particular, knew Bev at Pennhurst and helped her prepare for her life outside the institution. I shared stories about Bev and my experiences with Pennhurst, while they told me about their projects, most importantly the museum that will be housed in the superintendent’s house on the Pennhurst grounds. We talked about my reasons for writing the book and my hopes for what readers will take away from Bev’s story. Several members purchased the book to read, and I’m looking forward to hearing their reactions to it.
The mission of the PM&PA is dear to my heart. If you would like to learn more about their vision, click below to visit their website.
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I invite you to listen to my interview with Bob Cohen on WDIY 88.1 May 30 at 6:00 as we talk about my book Bev: The Invisible Sister on the Lehigh Valley Arts Salon. Find out why Bev was invisible both to her family and to society while she resided at Pennhurst State Hospital, hear what life was like for residents of institutions like Pennhurst, and learn what happened to former residents when they finally rejoined society. Bob and I also talk about my family, our challenges and struggles, and what is was like having an intellectually disabled sibling. If you can’t catch the interview when it airs, click on the link below to listen to the podcast after May 30.
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Rory"Every story I create creates me. I write to create myself." Categories |