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My Living Will is the story of former major league pitcher John Trautwein, and the unbelievable tragedy which befell him and his family when his fifteen-year-old son, Will, took his own life. There had been no warnings, no obvious signs of anxiety, depression, or unhappiness; nothing. A family and a community were left stunned as they pondered how a young man like Will Trautwein, a healthy, happy, popular, athletic, and musical teenager, who came from such a loving home, could lose the will to live.
“John Trautwein writes straight from the heart. And his words will save lives. The story Trautwein shares in these pages––a remarkable journey of passion and purpose––will literally save lives.”
• Jeffrey Marx, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Season of Life
“John Trautwein’s story inspires hope. It empowers people, and it gives its readers the ‘hope for life.’ The triumph that this story imparts arouses the goodness in everyone as it drives people toward action.”
• Joe Girardi, Manager, The New York Yankees
“In my twenty-two years of broadcasting, I have told many stories of triumph over tragedy, but the story of Will Trautwein and his family has stayed with me. The loss of such a vibrant young man and the strength of his family to use their heartache to help has had an impact on how I parent my daughter, and how I report stories of teenage depression and suicide. This is a must-read if you have a teenager in your life.”
• Stephany Fisher, Anchor, CBS News, Atlanta
“Ever wonder if a young person in your own home might be at risk? Read this book. In “My Living Will,” John Trautwein takes the emotions of loss and turns them into a message of awareness and hope. A must read for parents and teenagers alike!”
• Dan Shaughnessy, The Boston Globe
John Trautwein
John Trautwein was a professional baseball player for seven years, including time with the Boston Red Sox, and is chief customer officer at Source Support Services, a global company based in Atlanta. When John's fifteen-year-old son Will took his life in 2010, John thought his own life was over. He soon learned he was wrong thanks to the love and support of family, friends, teammates, the compassion of strangers, and his faith. Along with his wife, Susie, John cofounded The Will to Live Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness of teen suicide, and to date has raised over $3 million, funding suicide prevention programs in more than 3,000 schools. He has given more than 500 talks, presentations, and keynote speeches to students, teachers, coaches, teams, universities, communities, corporations, and churches throughout the United States. The foundation has been featured in media outlets such as USA Today, CNN, Fox Sports, and Major League Baseball, as well as news and radio outlets and podcasts across the country. John and Susie have been awarded the George W. Bush Presidential Point of Light Award for their efforts to raise mental health awareness. In November 2024, John, a graduate of Northwestern University, was named the recipient of the university's prestigious One Life Touched, One Generation Changed Award.
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