Wide Open: A True Story of Surviving a Series of Sexual Assaults, Healing Trauma and Recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

by D.M. Ditson

Wide Open is D. M. Ditson's dizzying account of unravelling in the wake of a series of sexual assaults that left her with post-traumatic stress disorder. When her past threatens to derail a promising new relationship, Ditson flings herself into her recovery and documents her healing in near real time. Written in the depths of her illness, Ditson shows what PTSD looks like from the inside as she loses herself in time – mistaking the past for the present, the innocuous for danger, and her beloved for a villain. With startling candour, Ditson probes her past to understand how she became so vulnerable to assault, navigates through her trauma, and recounts her excruciating recovery as her body thrashes beyond her control. Transforming from someone who once burned and buried every one of her secrets, Ditson shares all to offer hope, to prove that healing is possible and to show that love is bigger. Wide Open is the recovery memoir Ditson sought and couldn’t find when she felt crazy and alone, and yearned for someone who had made it out the other end to reach back into the darkness and share the path to freedom. It’s the story of one woman’s hard-fought liberation, and countless others have found solace in Ditson’s words. “This incredibly brave and powerful memoir is written in prose both luminous and stark. I read it in one gulp, in awe of the author’s willingness to surrender to her experience of trauma and of her generosity in sharing her journey with readers. Wide Open will take you to the farthest reaches of what it means to be human.” - Alison Pick, Man Booker nominated author of Far To Go and Strangers With The Same Dream

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

248 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2019

About the author

D. M. Ditson is obsessed with telling the truth. She has been writing for over a decade as a journalist and communications consultant. She shares her life story to show that healing is possible and maps out her trauma recovery with hopes of helping others free themselves.

Wide Open is her first book. Before it was published, her memoir won the John V. Hicks prize, awarded by the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild. Wide Open also won a 2020 Saskatchewan Book Award and a Columbia Basin Trust artist grant.

Ditson recently moved from Regina, Saskatchewan to Nelson, British Columbia, where she can be found enjoying the mountains. She is happy.

Reviews

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first memoir by Dauna Ditson (full disclosure -- I have met the author because she lives in my small community, although we are not close friends) bears both good news and bad news. The good news is that it IS possible to recover from the traumatic effects of sexual assault. The bad news is that it isn't easy. The author courageously tackles a subject that most women prefer to keep intensely private, and for this she has my respect. I also extend to her my heartfelt sympathy because of her suffering. The physical and emotional repercussions lasted for years, during which time she saw counsellors, visited spiritual retreats, set aside her own career path, and spent thousands of dollars -- all because she was so determined to get well. Happily, she succeeded. This memoir is an inspirational story for other women in the same position. Unfortunately, there are all too many of them.

[Carla Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing truthfully about trauma is terrifying and complex, which is why I found D.M. Ditson’s book so outstanding. The author hides nothing, showing the hardest truths and how she perceived her life & her self at each stage of the story. This book had such parallels to my complex trauma experience, I highly recommend it.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honour and privilege to proofread this fascinating memoir written by my co-worker at the Columbia Valley Pioneer in Invermere. A deeply personal story that is at times humorous and yet deeply disturbing. So glad that she emerged from the dark side of her journey to end up in our beautiful valley. Highly recommend.

[Doreen]

This is a book of heart-wrenching trauma and exquisite writing. Dauna is brave and strong and wonderful in every way. We should all love ourselves and feel our own power the way she does. What a tour-de-force!!

[Brit Sippola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw. Loved it. D is a wonderful woman.

[Tony Berryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, burning, deeply affecting read! This memoir of a journey through sexual abuse and out the other side will not leave you untouched. It's beautifully written, well paced, and keeps you going just to see what's going to happen next.

The biggest gift I got from this book (and there were several) is a fuller realization of how deeply women feel.

[Janet Clysdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly honest soul baring account of a woman who was sexually assaulted and how that affected her relationship with crummy men until she learned to love herself and heal. Mixed with this was a strange and bizarre Christian upbringing with parents who clearly contributed to the issues.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written book is refreshing, honest and heart wrenching. The healing process is inspiring for women of all ages. Well done D!

[Ryan Kiedrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This incredibly raw and honest work is one of my favourite volumes ever written. DM Ditson is a wonderful writer and person.

…..”love is bigger!”

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I have never read anything like this before in my life. It is so incredibly raw, honest and brave. In awe.