Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice

Her extraordinary tale of triumph over depression and a freight train suicide attempt will leave you at the seat of your pants. If you've never struggled with the why's of life or depression you will still be inspired by this moving tale. Reminding me of the wonderful book by Joni Eareckson Tada, Kristen has a story that's all her own making. Showing us that God is with us in every sorrow and has a plan even when we can't see it; God spoke directly to even my own personal dark nights of despair I'm sure He will to yours too. Beginning with tales of a loving family Kristen shares how a series of tragdies including a death of a family member, the suicide of friend and a rape by a friend drove her to attempt to take her own life at the wheels of a freight train. Without giving away too much,(you'll have to buy the book) I'll tell you she survived, not with losing her legs in the ordeal. She shares stories of her rehabilitation, leaning to walk again and regaining hope and the will to live. She also shares God helped her in overcoming her depression and need for prescription drugs to transforming her into speaker,ministry leader bible student and dynamic witness for Christ. Truly an inspiring read indeed, i hope you'll pick it up.

An emotional story that from the very beginning is hard to hear, but well worth the read. A young woman who while a teen decides that her life isn't worth living and through a last minute thought lays herself down on railroad tracks. As she is telling the story - we all know she survives, but to hear her story about recuperating and living a different life is beyond interesting. Whether you believe in the healing power of Christ and that God can intercede into daily lives, this book is worth the read to understand how depression can hit when you least expect and how far down one may go. It was refershing to hear a true story where she battled depression and had ups and downs - but life did end up on the up. To parents of teens - this may be a rough ride because you may become overly cautious about the signs you could possibly see in your own teen. To the non parents, this is still a story for you about how depression can take hold of someone and send them down a road that no one would suspect.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. Before reading it I was able to watch Kristen's interview on you tube on Oprah's show. I started to cry and and could not stop because I came in touch with my own will to die when I was about her age. Wonderful story and it is a true one.