Celebrating Your Gift of Life

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Praise for James Donaldson and Celebrating Your Gift of Life

“James Donaldson showed strength, determination, and endurance throughout his NBA career. I’ve watched him use these same attributes to persevere through business disappointments, health challenges, and especially bouts of depression. He has much to share on winning in the game of life.”

— Eve Allen, PhD, Speaker, Author, and Wellness Consultant

“When I think of James, a PAC-10 student athlete, an NBA teammate, an NBA All Star, and someone with political aspirations who has traveled the world, the term ‘gentle giant’ comes to mind, not just because of his physical size but for his mental and worldly skills as well. James has always stood above the crowd, but he will always bend to take a stand and lend a hand to help. James, continue the journey of success and growth you stand for!”

— Lafayette “Fat” Lever, Teammate, Businessman, Philanthropist, and Friend

“I first met James while he was playing for the Seattle SuperSonics. I was immediately struck by his tenacity on the court, and his kindness off. He is a complex, authentic, intelligent man whose disarming smile has often hid his inner struggles. James’ courage to share his journey with mental illness will certainly benefit others, and his leadership to improve the human condition makes him a first ballot Hall of Famer.”

— Keith Shipman, President & CEO, Washington State Association of Broadcasters, Sportscaster, KOMO-AM/TV Seattle (1983-85) and KCPQ-TV Seattle (1986-1999)

“I’ve known James Donaldson since 1975 when we first met in the sports weight room at Washington State University. He was a freshman basketball player and I was just getting started as a football player. It was obvious from day one that he was going to be a huge success. He had a burning desire to succeed and everyone knew it. His work ethic, along with his very sharp intellect, helped him transform his body from that of a gangly, skinny-framed freshman to an intimidating force by his senior year. As everyone knows, James went on to have a magnificent fourteen-year career in the NBA and in professional leagues across Europe. James has always been a leader, on and off the basketball court, and his new book, Celebrating Your Gift of Life, shows he is uniquely qualified to help many suffering from the terrible disease of depression. Despite his illustrious basketball career, James has battled many challenges, including depression, and now he wants to help others “find the light” in overcoming their major setbacks and challenges.”

— Jack Thompson, Former Collegiate and NFL Player

“I’ve known James for more than twenty years, and he is totally qualified to write on the subject of mental health awareness. His writing is strong and direct. Through James’ efforts, I’ve learned to take mental health issues more seriously, and I hope many lives will be saved through James’ good work.”

— Timothy Johnson, Tacoma, Washington

“James has been a close personal friend of mine for about seventeen years. Two of his qualities that have always impressed me are his optimism and goal-oriented nature. James is one of the most well-read people I’ve known, helped by his listening to audiobooks at 3x speed. He has always been fascinated by the study of human behavior, never guessing that a cascade of events would lead him to experience severe depression. His openness in sharing his journey will inspire all who read his book.”

— Karen Koehler, Attorney, Seattle, Washington

“James has faced his challenges with strength and courage. His story can help others dealing with strife to face their challenges with the same courage he has. I highly recommend reading his book.”

— Joseph Patrick McGivney, President of JP McGivney Company and President of JJC Ventures Corp

“I have known James Donaldson for a number of years. He is a caring and helpful individual and a positive force in educating people about mental health issues. I strongly support his efforts in this endeavor.”

— Jeffrey Wysong, Commercial Real Estate Investor

“James is literally the big brother everyone wants to have. You feel safe and protected when he is around. In his books, he never preaches. He simply shares his feelings, feelings that everyone has, including his vulnerability. This makes it real and give us hope.”

— David F. Chan, Fire Commissioner of South County Fire

“It takes a big man to admit he has little to live for. At 7’ 2”, James Donaldson is a towering figure of strength for sharing his story of surviving the depths of depression and the onerous emotional trail that led to his recovery.”

— David Levy, Neighbor and Friend

“James, you have no idea how much I have enjoyed developing a great partnership with you in our CBD business as we’ve helped people explore the quality and benefits of CBD from hemp for our physical and mental health, happiness, and overall wellbeing. Your friendship continues to be a treasure and I look forward to many years ahead.”

— Liz Diehl, Certified in CBD, Physiology, and Health

“When I met James, he was in deep distress and on the edge, ready to go over the cliff. I shared with him my own story. (Everything I had worked for gone in one day, POOF!) James was falling and did not know where to turn. Little did he know he was falling into Grace, and it was God’s grace that put him back on his feet.”

— Warren Mach, Senior VP, Davidson Wealth Management, LLC

“It takes a big man to publicly reveal his personal scars. James Donaldson’s story is a penetrating reminder to seek help before imploding under the weight of life’s cares. Confined emotionally to a ‘dark and scary place,’ he discovered enough light to appreciate God’s amazing gift of life.”

— George Toles, Seattle SuperSonics’ Courtside Announcer (1967-1986) and Former Team Chaplain

“Throughout our decades of friendship, James has often reached out to me and other friends to share his many success stories. But his life-saving outreach came about when he developed a friend’s support action plan, which he used to help save his own life. During his darkest hours, suicidal thoughts were his constant companion. James’ life was saved when he reached out to us in order to replace his ‘constant companion.’ When James did so, his friends were able to help him connect with his inner strengths, which he then used to fight off his demons. James utilized his friends as a major resource, and now today, he is employing his life-and-death story to help others choose life over death. I (and an unknown number of others) am greatly thankful that James chose life over ‘the forever decision’ of suicide.”

— Chuck Wright MA, Washington State Licensed Mental Health Professional with Certification in Traumatic Stress

“To get through the dark times, James learned how to open up to the Love and Grace that surrounded him. Love and Grace that brightened his heart. Love and Grace so powerful that he has dedicated his life to lending his hand to help others who struggle. Read this to find your way. Read this to shine the way.”

— Lisa Stuebing, Medical Exercise Specialist, Journalist, and Public Speaker

“James, I’ve known you for many years since I’m a huge basketball fan. We’re from the same town of Sacramento and I’ve always been proud of you being from my hometown. Until I met you at Mrs. North’s Celebration of Life, I had no idea what darkness you had just come through. Now I admire you even more than ever. My brother, Victor, also a collegiate basketball player, was in a similar dark place, for thirty-plus years. It was tough on family and friends. But it was torturous for him. He suffered from manic depression and homelessness from time to time, eventually leading to poor health and death. What you have been through is what many are struggling with, young and old. I believe God has brought you through this to show others that they are not alone. And to remind each of us that we need each other’s help. Shine bright and remind us that we all affect each other.”

— Dusty Baker, American Major League Baseball Manager, Current Manager of Houston Astros

“Congratulations to James Donaldson on his excellent new memoir. James’ book addresses the elephant in the room: mental illness that can accompany physical illness and major life events. James faced a life-threatening cardiac illness and battled his way back to excellent physical health. After his recovery, the dark specter of depression came upon him unexpectedly. He didn’t run away, and he didn’t try to hide his struggle from his physicians and friends. He was open, honest, and forthcoming about the issues he was facing. He faced the challenge head on and found a way through to recovery. Now, James shares his personal experiences with others so that they can recognize the warning signs of depression and mental illness and know that they don’t have to suffer alone or choose drastic solutions to solve problems. The first and biggest challenge is to talk openly about it, and then to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals to address mental illness. It is my privilege to serve on James’ healthcare team and support him in his endeavor to educate society about mental illness.”

— Dr. Peter Casterella, MD, Cardiologist

“James came to see me at the very depths of his depression and anxiety. Together, we developed a recovery plan for him that included mental health counseling and pharmacological support. He made it through this very difficult time because he realized he needed help, reached out for medical support, followed through on the plan, and surrounded himself with a close group of intimate friends who were there for him every step of the way. After twelve months of hard work, he emerged from that darkness and began a new chapter in his life. There truly is a ‘bright side’ after the darkness. He found it, and you can too.”

— Matthew Max Noell, MD

“James Donaldson is a big man who has endured big problems. Through a series of losses, he came to know despair, depression, and suicide, but he also developed a step-by-step process to pull him out of the depths and back into a meaningful and celebratory life. Celebrating Your Gift of Lifeis his gift to us.”

— Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and Award-Winning Author of Narrow Lives and The Best Place

“James Donaldson proves once more that we are in charge of our destinies. Although it seemed like Fate was against him as his world began to crumble around him, he made the choices necessary to get the help he needed and get back to his A-game. In Celebrating Your Gift of Life, he will show you how you can do the same, no matter what obstacles and hardships you face.”

— Patrick Snow, Publishing Coach and International Best-Selling Author of Creating Your Own Destiny and Boy Entrepreneur

“In Celebrating Your Gift of Life, NBA All-Star James Donaldson shares hard truths about life and how disappointment and problems will come your way no matter how successful you are. Even though he was on the verge of suicide, James learned how to turn his life around, and now he shares his hard-earned wisdom with us all so we can understand what a gift life is, no matter what comes your way.”

— Nicole Gabriel, Author of Finding Your Inner Truthand Stepping Into Your Becoming

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If you’ve never heard of James Donaldson, you should have. Not only is he an NBA All-Star, having played with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz, but he also operated The Donaldson Clinic in Seattle, providing physical therapy services, for nearly thirty years, and he’s been involved in Seattle politics.

But all his fame and fortune aside,

Donaldson has recently had some severe struggles in his life. Now he has written a new book Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy to raise awareness about mental health issues like depression and suicidal thoughts that can affect anyone in our hectic, stressful world. In recent years, Donaldson has experienced life-threatening health problems, a stressful divorce, the loss of his business and home due to bankruptcy, disagreements with former friends and colleagues, and ultimately, near suicide.