Vermont Edition Presents brings you a collection of interesting public talks, lectures, and events from different communities.
Madelyn Linsenmeir became addicted to Oxycontin at the age of 16. Her older sister, Kate O'Neill, witnessed her adored younger sibling struggle with opioid-use disorder, get sober, struggle again, get on top of her disease again, and eventually die because of complications with the disease.
More from VPR: 'Seven Days' Reporter Kate O'Neill Explores Addiction, Isolation In Latest 'Hooked' Installment [June 6, 2019]
When Linsenmeir died, O'Neill wrote her obituary, published in Seven Days, which drew worldwide attention for its honest look at how difficult the disease of addiction is for those who have it and for the friends and family who love them.
In November 2019, Kate O'Neill talked about her sister, addiction and what she's learned over the past year writing for Seven Days as part of the Vermont Humanities Council's "First Wednesdays" lecture series.
Listen to O'Neill's "First Wednesdays'" lecture above or hear it broadcast on Monday, Jan 13, 2020 at noon and 7 p.m.
