July 11, 2010
East Lansing man on dialysis will take 225-mile canoe tripBy DAWN PARKER
dlparker@lsj.com
Erich Ditschman decided 10 years on dialysis was an anniversary worth marking.
The East Lansing resident is planning a trip in celebration, but "The Riverdude" - a nickname he picked up during his work as a watershed management consultant - won't be going on just any old holiday.
Ditschman will be joining the Grand River Expedition, which departs from Michigan Center on July 14, the beginning of a 12-day canoe voyage to where the Grand River empties into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven.
The expedition - including everyone from scientists to students - heads out once every 10 years to assess the health of the river. Water studies will be conducted at various points during the 225-mile journey.
"We want to stimulate interest in the river so it can be protected," Ditschman said. And since the Red Cedar River is a sub-watershed of the Grand River, the Grand's health is important to East Lansing and surrounding communities.
#Portable dialysis
While Ditschman is heading out because he is a water enthusiast, he's also appreciative of the normal life his nightly home treatment has given him.
The equipment is portable enough, at approximately 70 pounds, to be taken on airplane trips.
"You can do all kinds of stuff with dialysis," he said.
Fund-raising effort
He's also in the process of raising $20,000 to help the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan in its work to find a cure for kidney disease and provide support for patients.
Besides the desire to check on the health of the Grand River, Ditschman said he's motivated to stay healthy for his children - 10-year-old Jacob and 6-year-old Antonia.
"I thought, 'Let's give it a try and get in the best shape I can on dialysis'," he said.
The two-week journey will feature stops along the way in communities from Rives Junction to Nunica. Dignitaries and residents at each stop have been invited to join participants at the river, in what Ditschman said will likely turn into a "mini-festival" at each stop.
Ditschman plans to document the trip on his blog Paddling on Dialysis for Kidney Health. He's always been open about the eight-plus hours his dialysis regimen takes.
"Dialysis will not stop me," he said.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100711/ELANSING01/7110414/1002/NEWS01
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