D.Henry McGrath, with the help of a NY professional “ghost writer”, author and editor, Lisa Petrocelli , Professor of Psychology Eric Carlson of Schenectady Community College and Hudson Falls, NY cover artist Mike Willig, has entered the Kickstarter fray for crowd funding with his four book series “Slave In Modern America,” which not only reveals the shocking life of a child’s extreme neglect and abuse, but seeks to bring a synchronized worldwide attention to the issues of child abuse.
McGrath, born in South Troy, New York, where he spent his first six years of horror under the care of an extremely and disturbed mother and a never-home-father, in a very poor Irish family setting filled with emotional turmoil, unemployment, poverty, and serious hardships. He was the eldest born son of four children (later to become five children), and suffered his first drowning when he was 4 or 5 years old. “My mother, believing it was the only way to get my father to come back home, had me and my sister dress up in our Easter church clothes and walked us down to the river after leaving a message at the local pub that if my father did not arrive on time she would drown the children. Of course, as a child you do not know it’s a ploy and I was all helpful with my mother, calming my crying sister down, as we walked hand in hand to the river like good children with my little brother in the carriage. It wasn’t long before I was first and ONLY ONE in the water being held down by my mother under the rushing waters of the river and drowned. A man passing over the bridge, who was a drinking buddy of my father’s, saw what was happening and ran down to resuscitate me. Back in those days, the authorities were never called. Family affairs stayed private except for the gossip that certainly held tales of woe when it came to the McGrath’s in South Troy,” McGrath said.
The four book series, “Slave In Modern America,” covers the horror-filled childhood tortures, enslavement, and how he escaped and lived quite like Oliver Twist in modern America (book one); his capture by the “system” of institutions and agencies attempting to raise him with further abuse as though he were at fault for “chronic history of running away”(book two); exciting and factual stories of growing into the world of crime and gangster-ism as he was raised to be (book three); and how he excelled beyond the barriers and achieved against all odds – much of which will surprise the readers (book four); all of which are filled with shocking truths, famous people, and unforgettable incidents of maltreatment by both parents and the “system” that will put the issue of child abuse back on the map in America and abroad.
“I know deep in my heart as I feverishly work on this project there are abused children, tortured and suffering, locked away in a hidden room or cellar with tears in their eyes as they listen to the faraway laughter of little children somewhere in the distance, just like I was. You certainly cannot prop yourself up in an agency to stop child abuse and not know this to be true. I intend to bring the issue first and foremost in all of our minds because life begins with all children,” said McGrath.
Several years ago, with the help of Professor Carlson, McGrath started a small group called the “FreeChild Project,” which is a worldwide campaign to bring the issue of child abuse and neglect to the forefront rather than simply an “Amber Alert” or a feel-good type of issue that now and then is mentioned by a politician or media source. Throughout his entire life he was always advised by counselors and other professionals who could not help him (several even wanted to help him escape) to write a book. So, after years of trying to do so – but unable to evolve out of the painful memories – he finally had an opportunity to meet local NY author, Lisa Petrocelli, in Albany, NY who agreed to be his “ghost writer” and began to receive cassette tapes from him on the stories for the first book’s production.
Mrs. Petrocelli also met with Mr. McGrath’s relatives and friends who confirmed the stories and even added horrific events that torture their own memories.
The kickstarter “Slave In Modern America” campaign seeks to provide the funds needed to publish the first book of the series. Once the first book is published and sold, it will help to fund the “FreeChild Project,” where Mr. McGrath will tour and speak to the public and to agencies throughout the world on innovative ways to end child abuse and neglect. $1 from every book sale is earmarked for child abuse organizations throughout the world, which will be listed in each book of the series. There is also a Facebook page called “Slave In Modern America” where people can give support, find links to donate, and stay abreast of the book project developments.
Contact:
D.H. McGrath
PO Box 211
Caroga Lake, NY 12032
(518) 844-4894