James Donaldson- Celebrating Your Gift of Life

James Donaldson, a former NBA All Star, business owner, and community fixture in Seattle, WA for 40 years, tells his story of a harrowing, heart breaking journey of working his way through darkness and depression back to a promising and productive life. He made it through, you can too!

James lost it all, his health, life savings, marriage, business, mother, and home! All within a years’ time or so. It almost became too much to bear. He declared bankruptcy, lost his home to foreclosure, had to close his long running business which forced to live on very limited income and had 4 major surgeries in 5 years. But James never gave up all hope and realizes that God saw him through.

At the end of each chapter, you will find exercises in which the reader can write down their thoughts that will be helpful in assisting them through a difficult time, they or a loved one might be going through.

There is a “Bright Side” somewhere, the key is to keep hanging in there until you find it… and you will.

James Donaldson completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.

James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. He published Celebrating Your Gift of Life in 2021.

James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and also is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.

James is a 40+ years resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations.

James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!

Feel free to reach out to Village Books and Paper Dreams for further assistance at 360-671-2626!

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