In the Worst Interest: an Autobiography

Upon his father's death in 1973, JAM became the man of the house at age twelve. And in this memoir, JAM narrates a life story that is at times both difficult and extremely heart-wrenching as he witnesses the aftermath of the atrocities of physical abuse, rape, and other tragedies-including a volatile personal life. In the Worst Interest tells of the author's dedication to responding for calls of help. At age fifteen he became a youth member of the local volunteer fire department in metropolitan Minnesota where he responded to more than 500 calls, became an emergency medical technician, and then a probationary firefighter. The memoir tells of his thirty years of service as an Army and National Guard medic serving a tour in Kosovo and two tours in Iraq. JAM also tells of the painful trials of his life-from living with a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia and a painful divorce that divided his family, to his battle with county social services and the loss of custody and a relationship with his two daughters. In the Worst Interest narrates the story of one man's journey and his prayers for his children to let him come home.