43
Running for a cause
Photo
Atty. James Dietz ties his running shoes before training in downtown Youngstown. He is training for his fi rst Boston Marathon and trying to raise at least $10,000 via 2010 Boston “Jack Rabbit” Marathon.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
YOUNGSTOWN
Tears came to Atty. James “Jamie” Dietz’ eyes as he watched his young son plays, knowing that his friend’s child was newly diagnosed with a genetic disease that would never allow him to crawl, let alone stand, walk or run.
Jack Kotheimer was a little over a year old, only a few months older than Jamie’s first son, James, when his parents, Dr. Barry and Mary Beth Kotheimer of Chesterland, told Jamie their son had Spinal Muscular Atrophy and probably would not live past 2.
Jamie and his wife, Denise, have two sons, James B. Jr., and Luke. His parents are Carolynn Dietz of Boardman and the late Dr. George.
SMA is the No. 1 genetic killer of children under 2. It is an often fatal disease that destroys the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement, which affects crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing, according to Families of SMA. The national organization provides money for research and resources for SMA families.
Jack’s prognosis was grim, but so far he is beating the odds. He celebrated his 10th birthday Aug. 17, 2009.
In a way, Jamie, 45, also has beaten the odds.
A self-described nonathlete who has participated in several marathons, Jamie qualified for the first time to compete in the 2010 Boston Marathon on Monday. He will run in the 45-49 age category.
Jamie says he is excited about his first Boston Marathon, saying it’s a lifelong goal that he achieved by running the 2009 Cleveland Marathon in 3 hours and 25 minutes, which he said is the fastest time he has ever run.
The cutoff qualifying time for the Boston run is 3 hours and 30 minutes for his age group, he said.
Jamie, who trains at the Downtown YMCA and outside, is using the event, which he has dubbed the “Boston Jack Rabbit Marathon,” to raise awareness of and money for Families of SMA. His financial goal is $10,000.
Jamie asks that those who wish to donate to SMA send a check or money order, made payable to Families of SMA, to Atty. Jamie Dietz, 100 E. Federal St., Suite 300, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.
“Jack Rabbit” is in recognition of the annual Jack Rabbit 5K Walk/Run that Jack’s mother, Mary Beth, started in 2002 to benefit Families with SMA, and in which Jamie has regularly participated.
Barry, a graduate of Youngstown State University, said when the Jack Rabbit Run — it is named after their son — began it attracted about 150 runners. Now, it draws some 1,000 runners. The 2010 run is Aug. 29 at Lake Farm Park in Kirtland.
Jack is a sports fan, especially of the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers and Indians and of his siblings’ teams, his father said.
“Confined to a wheelchair, Jack can’t jump up and down. But he shows his pleasure and excitement by yelling and with facial expressions. He likewise shows his displeasure with the referees and umpires when he thinks they are wrong. He wants to fully engage,” said his father, a chiropractic doctor whose practice is in Chardon.
Jamie, a 1983 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, and Barry, a 1983 graduate of Chaney High School, have been good friends since the early 1980s.
Jamie is involved in numerous community activities, including Mahoning County Habitat for Humanity, for which he serves as legal counsel, and as a member of Gateways to Better Living’s board.
“I firmly believe lawyers need to give back to the community. I want the bar to become a little more aware of charities and contribute,” he said.
Jamie said he strongly believes in supporting a great cause, especially one that benefits children. The more I learn about SMA, the more I want to help beat this dreaded disease,” he said.
“When you get that kind of ‘punch in the stomach,’ Barry said of his son’s SMA diagnosis, “you appreciate everything more - your marriage, faith and relationships with everybody. You learn not to sweat the small stuff.”
“We get to witness everyday how people support us and each other, and how they change their way of thinking when they have been exposed to Jack. You get to see the best in people,” his father said.
Barry suggested that parents and families who face SMA get informed through Families of SMA about the disease and learn about resources to help with financial and other issues and seek help from other parents of children with SMA.
“They can provide more efficient information than even doctors because they have been through it,” he said.
“Jack is an amazing and courageous young boy. The strength and faith of the Kotheimer family is absolutely remarkable,” Jamie said.