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Ogdensburg woman’s story may be published by Reader’s Digest

Posted 9/2/11

OGDENSBURG -- A very short condensed life story by Ashlie Damms of Ogdensburg may be published in Reader’s Digest. The story has already been posted on Reader’s Digeset Facebook page at …

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Ogdensburg woman’s story may be published by Reader’s Digest

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- A very short condensed life story by Ashlie Damms of Ogdensburg may be published in Reader’s Digest.

The story has already been posted on Reader’s Digeset Facebook page at facebook.com/ReadersDigest as part of the “Your Life...The Reader’s Digest Version” project.

And, it is one of a number of 150-word life stories being considered for publication in an upcoming issue of Reader’s Digest magazine.

Damms’ story is trending as one of the most popular submissions and is available for viewing at facebook.com/ReadersDigest, according to magazine spokesperson.

Area residents can show support by voting for Damms’ story or any others at http://facebook.com/ReadersDigest.

Damms entered her story in the “Your Life...The Reader’s Digest Version” project which is promoting the launch of the new book, “Life... The Reader’s Digest Version.”

The project provides an opportunity for people’s personal stories to be widely read.

One of the submitted stories will be published in Reader’s Digest to its more than 30 million readers. The author will be the recipient of a major cash award.

Several runner-up stories will also receive attention and cash prizes. Stories will be voted on by consumers and winners will ultimately be selected by Reader’s Digest editors.

Damms’ story follows:

“My Family” by Ashlie Damms

I affectionately referred to them as ‘strays.’ Really, they are my un-biological brothers and sisters.

When I was a teenager, my brother used to bring them home like lost kittens. Other teens that, for whatever reason, didn’t have a place to go. Either their parents didn’t care enough to have them around, or their parents beat them regularly, or they didn’t have families at all.

My mother, a single parent, full-time college student, and full-time employee, opened her house and her heart to them. She stuck up for them, fed them, raised them, and loved them when even their own parents wouldn’t. At one point, there were as many as nine of us occupying a three bedroom house.

Although I’m an adult now, I’ll never forget the way it felt to be able to live with all of your best friends. They are, unquestionably, my family.