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  • We Were the Morris Orphans

  • 4 Brothers, 5 Sisters & Me
  • By: Kathi Morris
  • Narrated by: Pam Ward
  • Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

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We Were the Morris Orphans

By: Kathi Morris
Narrated by: Pam Ward
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Publisher's Summary

When a drunk driver orphans 10 children, their plea to stay together sparks international news - and prompts a trust fund that attracts corrupt and abusive fostering.

“They’re not dead, are they?” The officer’s body visibly slumped as he delivered his final nod.

From that July day in 1968 on, the Morris family became the Morris orphans: 10 children who attracted nationwide attention, and a trust fund that didn’t bring out the best in those who fostered them. Kathi, the oldest, was only 17 when her parents were killed by a drunk driver. This is her story - behind the headlines - of when the Morris orphans only had their mutual loss and each other.

©2021 Kathi Morris (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

What listeners say about We Were the Morris Orphans

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Highlights systemic flaws.

It is good that this book has been written as it highlights systemic flaws that badly need to be improved.
I think a big portion of the funds should had been placed in a high interest earning trust funds for each of the children to access as young adults as this is when it is also badly needed.
After age 18yrs they are often kicked out of the system with no one to turn to for help and also with needs for a roof over their heads, car, basic furniture etc… and no funds to obtain these necessities and no family to ask for a loan.
I think the author has a very good point when she says adopters need to have experience and good references from those who have experienced their care as children.
I think this should also apply to foster family’s and those who work in child welfare, including social workers.
I do not agree that children should not be asked where they would like to stay.
I understand that as a young person Kathi did not know where she wanted to live, nor did some of her siblings, however all children differ and some DO know where they want to live.
When welfare took me at age 12 I knew exactly where I wanted to live, but I was not given any say in it and no choice and until this day many decades later I am still full of immense anger about that.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The 10 Morris children

The narrator was easy to listen to. Sad story but well told. Hard to imagine the heartache the children endured

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So sad

I loved this book, it broke my heart for what those 10 children went through all their lives, Kathi you are amazing and you should be proud of yourself ❤️

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Soo bored

I totally wasted my money on this book. Still wandering how it got published . Terrible

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