From Sister to Mother: Kylie’s Story of Guardianship & Grief

For The Hayters: The Stories We Survive · Feb 9, 2026 · 57m

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses addiction, overdose, sudden death of a parent, and self-harm.

When Kylie was 21, she got the call every child of an addict dreads: her mother had overdosed. While her mother eventually found sobriety, her sudden passing in 2024 left Kylie with a choice that wasn't really a choice at all. Within 48 hours, she had to fight the state of Massachusetts to keep her 12-year-old brother, Josh, out of the system.

This isn't just a story about grief; it's about the "invisible" work of stepping up. From hunting down death certificates in different cities to…