Dying To Die - The Janet Adkins Story - New Book Release
Dying to Die - The Janet Adkins Story by Susan Clevenger will be released on November 12th. Janet Adkins was Jack Kevorkian's first assisted suicide patient in 1990. Dying to Die provides new insights and personal details about Janet's life, her family and her decision to die with dignity.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In 1990, Dr. Jack Kevorkian was just beginning his work in the death with dignity movement. Janet Adkins, who made a choice to die after being diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease, was his first assisted suicide patient. Janet's choice to end her life started a national debate on the right to die which continues to this day.
Janet was a beautiful human being who had a lust for life and a thirst to know more about the world. She was thrilled with each moment of each day and was excited to be alive. Diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease in 1989, Janet made the decision to end her life in 1990, which had a major and profound impact on the lives of her husband, Ron; their three sons; and their family and friends.
Susan Clevenger, the author of Dying to Die, met Ron Adkins during a business meeting in 1997. Susan asked Ron why he hadn't written his wife's story. He responded that it was just too painful. Eventually, Ron trusted Susan with the honor or writing Janet's story.
Clevenger interviewed and recorded stories from Janet's family and closest friends, transcribed TV videos and read countless magazine and news stories. Her source material included Janet's personal journals and letters from family and friends that the family had saved over the years. Clevenger's hope is that this true-life story will create open, honest and transparent conversations between family members and friends of all ages so that they can make informed decisions on end of life choices.
In the years since Janet's passing, assisted dying statutes have passed in nine states, including California, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. National debate continues not only on a person's right to die, but also on what the laws allowing death with dignity include and do not include. Janet Adkins was a pioneer in this movement. Until now her story has not been fully told. Susan Clevenger's work is both an important addition to the historical record and a compelling tale of compassion and choice relevant to today.
Dying to Die – The Janet Adkins Story is available to pre-order (eBook or paperback) at a reduced price until November 12th. Go to Amazon Books for more information.
SOURCE Susan Clevenger
Share this article