Wild and Precious Life - by Deborah Ziegler (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the mother of Brittany Maynard comes an endearing memoir honoring the young woman who made the decision to travel to Oregon and end her life on her own terms after a defeating battle with a cancerous brain tumor.Written by Deborah Ziegler, the mother of Brittany Maynard--a twenty-nine-year-old woman with a terminal brain tumor--this touching and beautiful memoir captures and celebrates her daughter's spirit and the mostly untold story of Brittany's last year of life as she chose her right to die with dignity, a journey that inspired millions. In this poignant, powerful book, Deborah Ziegler makes good on the promise she made to her only child: that she would honor her daughter and carry forward her legacy by sharing their story and offering hope, empowerment, and inspiration to the growing tens of millions of people who are struggling with end-of-life issues. "Brittany's story...will have a ready audience, and Deborah's frank account of their struggles will be comforting to others facing this difficult decision" (Booklist).

Review Quotes

"When 29-year-old Brittany is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, she thinks almost immediately about ending her life with dignity . . . In this painfully honest memoir, Deborah, Brittany's mother, records the surgeries, treatments, and soul-searching that went into honoring Brittany's path . . . Brittany's story . . . will have a ready audience, and Deborah's frank account of their struggles will be comforting to others facing this difficult decision."

About the Author

Deborah Ziegler was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 18 July 1956. Her mother was a British immigrant and her father was a child of the Oklahoma dust bowl. One of four children, she received her BA in Secondary education. Deborah went on to enjoy teaching for 15 years in both of her majors, English and Science. She received her MA in Science Education in California, where she currently lives with her husband, Gary, and two cavipoos named Bogie and Bacall. Deborah started a successful woman-owned engineering company after retiring from her teaching career. But being Brittany s mum is without a doubt her proudest accomplishment in life. Currently, Deborah speaks on behalf of end-of-life options in the hopes that one day all terminally ill people will have the right to aid in dying if they so choose."