Thanks for posting this Nathan!
I drifted away, eventually found Christ on my own, and told my parents and brothers about it. They told everyone that I was an apostate and that none of the family could associate with me. They never addressed any of my questions or concerns. While never officially disfellowshipped, ex-jw Christians are singled out for very harsh shunning.
So, while those who "drift away" may get thrown a social bone or two now and then, those who come to independent faith in Jesus are quickly labelled "apostate" AND SHUNNED THE HARDEST because they represent the ultimate threat to the cult. Those who drift into atheism, agnosticism, secularism, and almost anything besides bible-bleieving Christianity - not as much from what I've seen.