VCU and post-9/11 non-profit publish anthology on living with loss

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – A Virginia Commonwealth University group of faculty and students, along with a non-profit organization founded after the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, has published a collection of brief essays, poems and letters reflecting the thoughts of those who lost a loved one that day.

The VCU faculty and graduate students worked with Hold the Door for Others to publish the work, titled "Doorways: Families, Friends and Survivors of 9/11 Reflect on Living with Loss."

The theme for the collection is "living with loss," and it is based on items submitted by individuals who lost someone close to them on Sept. 11, 2001, or who themselves survived the tragic events.

"The anthology presents ideas for ways people might deal with grief, through reading about how others are coping," said co-editor Susan Wilkes, Ph.D., senior programs specialist at the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Center for Public Policy. "Readers will gain insight into their own path - both where they have been and where they want to go now. Even those who haven't experienced a recent loss can gain in compassion for others by reading the touching stories of those closest to the events of September 11th."

Wilkes co-edited the book with James Burke, Ph.D., director of the Workplace Initiatives Program in VCU's Department of Psychology. Also involved in the project were Kathy Ingram, associate professor of psychology; Lenore Gay, faculty member in Rehabilitation Counseling; along with several graduates of the psychology doctoral program, including Drs. Kay Davidson, Jordan Kilgour, Elaine Kiziah and Susanna Owens; and graduate students Amie Donah Burke and Matt Bitsko.

In addition, a team from VCU Creative Services completed the book�s design work and managed the printing process.

Hold the Door for Others is a nonprofit organization founded by Robert Fazio, a recent VCU psychology doctoral graduate, and his family, in honor of Robert's father, Ronald C. Fazio, Sr., who was last seen holding the door for his colleagues to escape the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Robert, his family and friends started the foundation, to help victims and other families dealing with grievous loss.

"Doorways: Families, Friends, and Survivors of 9/11 Reflect on Living with Loss" will be available free through the foundation. For a copy of the book, or for more information, visit www.holdthedoor.com.