Why I Jumped: My True Story of Postpartum Depression, Dramatic Rescue & Return to Hope [Hardcover]

Tina Zahn (Author), Wanda Dyson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2006

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.

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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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Revell (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800718917
• ISBN-13: 978-0800718916
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,354,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Healing Can Come, October 7, 2006

By 

Michele Cozzens "www.michelecozzens.com" (Cloud 8) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why I Jumped: My True Story of Postpartum Depression, Dramatic Rescue & Return to Hope (Hardcover)

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.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Thought Provoking, October 8, 2006

By 

LMS "Book worm" (WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Why I Jumped: My True Story of Postpartum Depression, Dramatic Rescue & Return to Hope (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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why I Jumped, April 10, 2007

By 

Rosemary A. Cook (Northwestern PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why I Jumped: My True Story of Postpartum Depression, Dramatic Rescue & Return to Hope (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...