LOCAL HERO REMEMBERED

Christopher’s Journey

A Remarkable Young Man’s Struggle with Leukemia

Maribeth R. Ditmars

Back in the spring of 2001 Sarasota rooted for one very sick little boy. Now local author Maribeth Ditmars’ book Christopher’s Journey invites you to walk in his shoes. The 218-page memoir chronicles the four years of her son’s treatment for leukemia. Set mainly in Sarasota where the Ditmars family lives, and at All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg where Chris was on treatment from 1997 until his passing in 2001 at the age of 14, the book recounts Chris’s daily life from the day he was diagnosed until his last peaceful moment.

Christopher’s Journey weaves its story using journal entries, narrative, and medical information that is presented in layman’s terms. As the family experiences each new challenge the reader is invited to share their intimate conversations, and their deepest emotions. Chris and his family must grapple with the medical aspects of the disease as well as financial concerns, spiritual issues, and the emotional impact of a devastating illness upon the Ditmars’ marriage and Chris’s two siblings.

Despite its sad conclusion the book is anything but maudlin. The family learns to make each day count, and humorous tales of Chris’s antics abound. When Chris was feeling well the Ditmars pulled a variety of stunts such as sneaking Chris into a casino in Vegas, and when he was hospitalized, Chris was notorious for his gags like placing food coloring in his urine sample or rubber vomit on his bathroom floor. “Every day we literally lived our own unique response to that infamous question: What would you do if your doctor told you that you only had months to live? Chris taught us to live in the moment, and I’m so grateful for all of the crazy things that we did,” said Ditmars.

In addition to sharing a touching story, Christopher’s Journey also highlights Sarasota’s supportive and compassionate response to the family’s plight. Ditmars writes about numerous gifts and acts of kindness from local individuals, businesses, charities, and schools. “I’ll never forget the day of Chris’s blood and bone marrow drive. It broke a record for The Suncoast Community Blood Bank. They had to call in extra bloodmobiles, and people waited two hours in line without complaining. It felt like we were getting one great big hug from the whole city of Sarasota.” Ditmars commented, “It restored my faith in man, and in my higher power.” As Chris became sicker local news channels visited him in the hospital and gave the community an update. When Chris passed in July of ‘01 he was hailed as a hero, but his mother remembers him as a catalyst who brought people together through their many acts of love and kindness.

Maribeth Ditmars plans to sell the book as a fundraiser for cancer research and other charities. Since 1998 the family has raised over $40,000.00, and by donating a portion of the book proceeds to nonprofit organizations that host her as a speaker, the Ditmars hope to continue this work. Ditmars has also run marathons all over the world for Team in Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Says Ditmars, “I hope to use my speaking and fundraising experience as a tool to share Chris’s remarkable story, to raise money and awareness of cancer issues, and to help other struggling families, especially those who have lost children. I also feel that Christopher’s Journey offers valuable insight to medical, clinical, and pastoral personnel who might benefit from an in depth view from the patient’s perspective.”

Maribeth Ditmars has taught elementary school in Sarasota for 23 years. She lives with her husband, Rob, and their surviving son, Jarrod, who is thirteen years old. Their daughter Erin, 24 also resides in Sarasota. Ditmars has also been published in magazines such as Runner’s World, and Sarasota Magazine. In addition to sharing Christopher’s Journey she aspires to use both her teaching experience, and her writing experience to write books for children about children’s diseases.

Christopher’s Journey is available at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Living Word Christian Book Store, iuniverse.com, christophersjourney.com, and can be ordered at all bookstores. (ISBN # 1-58348-937-1). It can also be ordered by phone: 1-800-AUTHORS.