Shrine Bowl will have special guest
Special to The Gazette
Monday, June 30, 2008
It’s hard to say what kind of life 8-year-old Leigh Dittman might have, or if she would have even survived, if it were not for Shriners and the care she has received her whole life at Shriners Hospitals.
The personable, perky 8-year-old from Tampa, Fla., was born with osteogenisis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease. It is a genetic disorder caused by imperfectly formed bone collagen that causes bones to be very fragile and break easily. When Leigh was only 3 weeks old, she was admitted to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa, Fla., as the youngest patient in a clinical study just being started on a new medicine for OI patients.
Life has not been easy for Leigh or her parents, David and Ellen Dittman. The Dittmans had been married only a short time when Ellen became pregnant. Their joy at the prospect of having their first child was short-lived, however, when four months into the pregnancy they were told that “something is not quite right.” Specialists told them that the baby’s legs were far shorter than they should have been, and that it looked like a case of “complete retardation.” Ellen remembers, “It was very tough, being just married and having that in front of you.”
When Leigh was born in August of 2000, her legs were badly deformed, and David admits “they looked terrible.” But help was on the way. A pediatrician suggested they fill out an application for Shriners Hospitals. Leigh was accepted at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa, and the timing for the family could not have been better. At the age of 3 weeks, Leigh became the youngest patient in a new research study using a new medicine developed to treat OI called pamidronate, which makes bones stronger and less likely to fracture, and causes patients to have less pain.
David says just the suggestion of treatment at a Shriners hospital was reassuring.
“It felt like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders,” he says.
The Dittmans found comfort in their early encounters with the Shriners Hospital.
“Did we know what were getting into? No. Were we scared? Yes. Were Shriners reassuring? Absolutely. Were they confident? Even more so.”
At 8, Leigh still participates in the research program. While the medication does help build bones, she is still subject to fractures. She’s had over 20 of them in her short life, and will tell you “it’s not so fun.” She has had metal rods inserted in her legs to strengthen the bones.
In spite of her difficulties, Leigh is growing to be a popular, exuberant and confident child. “She is bubbly all the time,” says Ellen. Leigh has even been involved in fundraising for Shriners by suggesting that guests to her third birthday party bring money to help the hospital rather than gifts. That idea sparked an annual fundraiser that has raised $132,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Leigh and her family will be guests of the Kansas Shrine Bowl on July 25 and 26. Leigh will appear at the annual Shrine Bowl Banquet on July 25, be in the Shrine Bowl Parade in downtown Emporia on July 26, and be introduced during pregame ceremonies.
Leigh’s appearance is courtesy of Bill and Nadine McAdam of Moran. Bill is a long-time Shriner, and for many years the McAdams have provided the transportation funding to bring special hospital guests to the Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Kickoff for this year’s game is 7 p.m. in Welch Stadium. Proceeds from all Shrine Bowl events support the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic, burn, and spinal care to children under 18. Children are admitted free to Shriners Hospitals for Children without regard for race, religion, nationality, creed, or relationship to a Shriner.
Advance reserved chairback tickets for the game are $20. Adult general admission tickets are $9 in advance. Student tickets (K-12) are $5 in advance. Other Shrine Bowl events scheduled in Emporia on July 26th include an open 5K Road Race that includes 60 Cross Country All-Star Runners, a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, a giant Shrine Parade, an Arts & Crafts Fair, a Kids Fair, a High School Combine, a Poker Run for Bikes, Autos and Trucks, and a Free Fashion Show. Additional information and tickets can be purchased through the Shrine Bowl office by calling (800) 530-5524. The Shrine Bowl Web site address is ksshrine.com and the e-mail address is ksshrine@kansas.com.