On July 19, 2004, an amazing story, accompanied by incredible video footage, broke across network and cable news programs. After a high-speed chase to the top of Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a young woman stopped, calmly stepped out of her car, walked to the edge of the bridge--and jumped. State trooper Les Boldt raced over, thrust out his hand, and in a miracle of timing and determination, snagged the woman's wrist as she started the plunge. Other officers ran to his aid, and they pulled the woman to safety while the on-dash police cam captured the action. That woman on the edge was Tina Zahn, and in Why I Jumped she tells her story for the first time. In this gripping book, readers are given a glimpse of what led to such severe depression that suicide seemed the only answer. Readers won't be able to put down this powerful, true story of postpartum depression, dramatic rescue, and a return to hope.
Why I Jumped
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
Sometimes it takes a miracle to find hope. On July 19, 2004, an amazing story, accompanied by incredible video footage, broke across network and cable news programs. After a high-speed chase to the top of the Tower Drive Bridge (now Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge) in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a young woman stopped, got out of her car, walked to the edge of the bridge--and jumped. State Trooper Les Boldt raced over, thrust out his hand, and in a miracle of timing and determination, snagged the woman's wrist as she started the plunge. Other officers ran to his aid, and they pulled the woman to safety while the on-dash police cam captured the action. That woman on the edge was Tina Zahn, and in Why I Jumped she tells her story for the first time. This gripping book gives us a glimpse of what led to such deep depression that suicide seemed the only answer. From abuse and rejection in her childhood to severe postpartum depression after the birth of her second child, Tina has overcome incredible odds to get where she is today. You won't be able to put down this powerful true story of emotional struggle, dramatic rescue, and a return to hope. Tina Zahn is a wife and mother of two. She has been actively involved in the American Red Cross and the American Diabetes Association and is a former pharmaceutical rep for several major companies. Zahn is currently an instructor for One-to-One Discipleship and a facilitator for a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. She lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with her husband, Daniel, and their children, Sarah and Noah. Wanda Dyson is an author and a Christian counselor who specializes in helping women recover from depression, anxiety, rejection, and the long-term effects of sexual and physical assault. She lives in Frederick County, Maryland.
From the Back Cover
I just had to make it to the bridge. If I could make it to the bridge, the pain would stop. I just had to make it to the bridge, and the hopelessness would end. It became a refrain, running over and over in my head as I raced down the highway: Make it to the bridge, and the pain will end. It's hopeless. Just wanna die. Make it to the bridge. When I finally reached the highest point of Tower Drive Bridge, I pulled over and stopped the car. I was so calm, so sure. I knew this was the right thing to do, and there was peace as I opened the door, stepped out, and walked around my car toward the guardrail. As I reached the concrete barrier, I heard someone calling out to me. "Ma'am! Ma'am!" I ignored him as I took a deep breath . . . and jumped.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an amazing story. Thank God, Tina Zahn lived to tell it. In this well-written and easy-to-read account of a troubled life that eventually leads to an attempted suicide, we learn the true story behind the sensational headlines/video footage of a young woman's leap from Wisconsin's tallest bridge. Battling severe postpartum depression after the birth of her second child, coupled with unresolved traumas of sexual abuse by her stepfather that began at the tender age of five, we indeed learn why Tina Zahn jumped.
Remarkably, all the elements were in place to rescue her. The book begins with the dramatic call to 9-1-1 by her husband and the ensuing high-speed police chase, along with the swift actions of the officer who reached out and grabbed her wrist, saving her from a 200-foot plunge and certain death. She then goes back in time and tells the wrenching account of her stepfather's abuses (she didn't discover he wasn't her biological father until many years later) and her mother's neglect. One can't help but applaud Zahn's bravery for sharing her story and for including useful reference material at the end to help us all recognize the signs of sexual abuse and depression, and where to go for help.
This is a spiritual journey and I recommend it not only for readers learning to diagnose signs of depression (postpartum and otherwise), but also to attain a greater understanding of these illnesses and how to cope with loved ones who may be suffering. Readable in an afternoon.
From the author of "A Line Between Friends," McKenna Publishing Group.
Remarkably, all the elements were in place to rescue her. The book begins with the dramatic call to 9-1-1 by her husband and the ensuing high-speed police chase, along with the swift actions of the officer who reached out and grabbed her wrist, saving her from a 200-foot plunge and certain death. She then goes back in time and tells the wrenching account of her stepfather's abuses (she didn't discover he wasn't her biological father until many years later) and her mother's neglect. One can't help but applaud Zahn's bravery for sharing her story and for including useful reference material at the end to help us all recognize the signs of sexual abuse and depression, and where to go for help.
This is a spiritual journey and I recommend it not only for readers learning to diagnose signs of depression (postpartum and otherwise), but also to attain a greater understanding of these illnesses and how to cope with loved ones who may be suffering. Readable in an afternoon.
From the author of "A Line Between Friends," McKenna Publishing Group.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have read literally thousands of books in my lifetime, but I have never read a book quite like this. First, I am from Wisconsin and have actually been to many of the places that Tina mentions in her story. Second, I too have struggled for many years with serious depression. I've never actually attempted suicide, but I came very close to it one night 10 years ago. It is only by the grace of God that I didn't attempt suicide that night. I truly believe that God intervened in my life that night. Even though I didn't yet know Christ as my Savior. I have struggled with serious depression off and on for the past 15 years. There have been five or six periods in my life where I have felt seriously depressed for months at a time. There is definitely a stigma in the church when it comes to depression. A lot of people simply don't know how to handle it. I could relate to so many of Tina's struggles. Tina's story is also my story. I am so thankful that Tina had the courage and strength to share such a deeply personal struggle with the world. I believe that this book will give hope to those of us who struggle with depression. But I believe it will also help those who have never had a problem with depression to be more compassionate and understanding. Struggling with serious depression can make you feel so alone and like there is no one who really understands. But this book showed me that I am not alone in my struggles and that even if no one else does, God understands and cares. I cried numerous times as I read this book. This book has helped me believe that there is hope and help is available. I do not have to suffer alone. Reading Tina's story also makes me want to begin counseling in order to deal with my depression and other issues openly and honestly.
I thank God for sparing Tina's life and motivating her to share her story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how to people who struggle with depression. I also recommend this book to friends and family of people who are depressed. I thank God for motivating me to buy this book. This is one book I know I will never forget.
I thank God for sparing Tina's life and motivating her to share her story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how to people who struggle with depression. I also recommend this book to friends and family of people who are depressed. I thank God for motivating me to buy this book. This is one book I know I will never forget.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Good book if you want to try and understand what would make someone want to do this like I did. The brain works in mysterious ways...
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Encouraging and Inspiring
This was an absolutely encouraging and inspiring memoir of a woman who came back from the deepest depths of depression, and how her collective community, and her faith in Christ,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kami M. Fancher
Wow what a Story
Customer Video Review
Length:
0:35
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Published 10 months ago by Dottie Randazzo
Gullible
The problem about people who are hurt in life is that they will believe anything they hear or read to sooth their pain. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Light
Poor
I gave it a one star because someone took the time to write this book. Sorry, the writing was not great, the protagonist did not 'get inside me' to feel empathy for her, even... Read more
Published on February 5, 2010 by J. McIntsoh
Thought it would be deeper
First, I want to stress that with my review, I don't intend to demean the horrible things this woman suffered, and endured, and is overcoming. Read more
Published on May 27, 2009 by Bookworm
Must read for those healing from PPD
Reading this book more than a year after my last big battle with PPD was an incredible experience. The book is a tragic retelling of the author's sexually abusive childhood, her... Read more
Published on November 20, 2008 by J. Nielsen
What Matters Most is There in Detail
There are very few books that can hold my interest like this one did. Sure, Tina didn't go into great detail about the abuse and the rescue, but she included enough about them to... Read more
Published on November 11, 2008 by Sandra Grabman
honest and insightful
This book is very insightful about what drew one woman to the brink of suicide. Fortunately, her attempt was not successful. Read more
Published on April 15, 2008 by Lisa Oman
terrific read for depression sufferers and those who love them.
i read this book in one two hour sitting. it caught my eye at the local library and i simply couldn't put it down once i picked it up. Read more
Published on February 27, 2008 by Joseph C. Sweeney
Yo comprendo!
I received this book today and I cannot put it down. Thank you Tina for doing an excellent job of articulating the thoughts and feelings of a young innocent girl whose father was... Read more
Published on January 3, 2008 by Soledad Esperanza
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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shattered pieces Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Green Bay, Groundhog Day, Little Girl Lost, Depression's Foothold, Sergeant Bill Morgan, Officer Boldt, Pastor Tim, Bad Choices, Laying Foundations, Trusting Love, Tower Drive Bridge, Fox River, Beth Moore, Cape Cod, Elkhart Lake, Jenny Lind, Wolf River, State Police Officer Les Boldt, Uncle Richie, Disney World Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
shattered pieces Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Green Bay, Groundhog Day, Little Girl Lost, Depression's Foothold, Sergeant Bill Morgan, Officer Boldt, Pastor Tim, Bad Choices, Laying Foundations, Trusting Love, Tower Drive Bridge, Fox River, Beth Moore, Cape Cod, Elkhart Lake, Jenny Lind, Wolf River, State Police Officer Les Boldt, Uncle Richie, Disney World Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
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