WHEN THE ROAD DISAPPEARS

LARISSA PODERMANSKI

“Before becoming a photographer, I traveled the globe as a writer working with professional sailors who raced around the world in high-performance saiing yachts. Many of those athletes competed in the Olympics and held world records. While Larissa was not an extreme athlete, her bravery in the facing each day was nothing short of inspiring. In my mind, facing a terminal disease is comparable to facing a ginormous wall of water in the southern ocean that is about to crush you under its weight.” — Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

BRYAN MONAHAN

In the state of Minnesota, Bryan’s diagnosis afforded him a compassionate care leave from his job. They booked a trip to Europe, which they returned from only a few days before my arrival. The plan moving forward was to take as many trips together and create a lifetime of family memories as time allowed. — Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

CHRISTIE

I could feel the weight of her journey lighten and the sense of time lost. Stories are meant to be shared when the owner of the tale is ready. Our time together was full of tears, laughter and quiet moments of reflection. I saw her face soften with relief as she spoke about her experience. She hadn’t had the opportunity to sit, sip a cup of tea and talk out loud about what her mind, body and family had endured that year. — Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

JUDY

Before leaving, Judy shared some parting advice that served her well on her journey to heal — maintain a lifestyle focused on letting go of anything and anyone who does not support the healing process. I would do my best to remember those wise words. Letting go is easier said than done. — Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

That summer, Kaleena was otherwise 100% healthy. She was spiked out (in the middle of nowhere to control fire) and working up to 14-days straight when her stomach started to swell and bloat. Kaleena told her squad commander, and they joked about it being a female thing, but she should keep an eye on it. She would complete her 14-day tour, have two days off, and be expected back to work for another 14-days…

— Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

WILLIAM

William showed me pictures on his computer and spoke of their last adventures together before cancer took her. Theresa’s treatments would not make her cancer-free. They did buy her a couple extra years with her husband and grandchildren. I asked him while peering over his shoulder, “What was her favorite adventure?” Her favorite overland adventures were the last two before she died.

First was to the Pacific coast to camp on the beach (pictured). She loved that! The Lost Coast. You won’t find it! You have to be told right where it is. It looks like you are driving through a gate to a residence. If you are driving at normal speed, there it is! Slam on the brakes and drive into it! We drove along the coast, and elk would come right down. Roosevelt elk and a herd of them came to where a stream met the ocean. The elk were playing in the water. That was one of the places she loved. — Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

Early in this trip, I struggled with not feeling worthy of my mission. I felt as though my cancer experience wasn’t “bad enough” to make me qualified. Frankly, that’s bullshit. But at the time, I felt insecure. I had a few people point blank tell me that I had no business doing this project unless I was personally dying of cancer. A hard pill to swallow, but I swallowed it and I leaned into it.

Spending time with Gina (pictured left), an accomplished writer and author, set me straight. Her life story was full of roads disappearing, then ‘paving’ herself a new one to then have THAT one disappear, too. A young woman full of grit and conviction. Plenty of bad things have happened in her short life, and none of it was holding her back. I left feeling capable of seeing this thru, less worried about how, and determined to find peace in knowing — it may not go as I’d like. Something bad could happen, but I would try, regardless. — Excerpt from When The Road Disappears

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In late 2017 Jennifer took a huge leap of faith by moving out of her apartment, putting everything she owned into a storage unit and converting her Jeep into a mobile adventure home. She and her dog Monty (pictured) set out to meet people impacted by cancer. A risky decision that required giving up a successful career as a photographer in Vermont.

Why, you might ask?

At the time it was for the opportunity to see what might come of her life if she did the work that made her heart sing. Jennifer loves the power of stories and how a personal experience shared could help another endure their own challenges. After all, it was the story of Larissa and other women she met while working with BCRF that helped her reconnect with the person her younger self wished she’d become.

Having an extensive amount of experience traveling solo internationally and extremely passionate about taking the path less traveled (literally), she had what it took to take on the challenges the trip would require. Furthermore, it had been her job for over a decade to listen and capture the stories of other people.

What she did not expect was how a 4x4 “road trip” around the country and the people she would meet would re-shape her life. How the road actually disappearing on more than one occasion would be the lesson of a lifetime. The words of those she connected with coaching her through each situation and helping her see the new journey ahead.

“Inspiration is the overwhelming theme of this book. You’re inspired by Jennifer’s desire to take an adventurous road trip across the country in search of greater life fulfillment through the telling of stories of those who’s lives have been affected by cancer. Then you are inspired further by the stories themselves which Jennifer tells from a very personal place. Also, the photographs from this road trip are both touching and breathtaking. They are the perfect counterpart to Jennifer’s passion and desire to tell the stories of the wonderful people she met along the way. Great read!” ~ Michael C

“Compelling story coupled with Stunning photography. You become very invested in the people you meet through Jennifer and in Jennifer’s story itself. Both a narrative of a very adventurous trip and of self awareness and exploration. With a little philosophy mixed in. Plus it's just a fun read.” ~ David R

“When the Road Disappears" is a story that takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Through the highs of overcoming obstacles, both through Jennifer's journey and the stories of the cancer patients, to the lows of loss, despair, and seemingly dead ends, she brings us along for the adventure. Sometimes when life seems to be at it's most difficult, opportunities present themselves, or are discovered, and the new road can take you to even greater joys than was first imagined. Buckle up, drop it into 4 wheel drive, and get ready to go on a coast-to-coast expedition.” ~ Jim S

“Beautifully written, beautifully photographed. Inspiring and uplifting.” ~ Gina T

“Excellent, well written with beautiful art work. It should be required reading for all medical students and professionals.” ~ David M

 “I truly enjoyed reading Jennifer's book, When The Road Disappears. The combination of words and images transcend the usual experience of reading allowing for the reader to become present in the story and feel emotions more vividly. I was taken back to my Mother's own battle with Cancer and all of the lessons that it carried. Thank you for creating such an amazing time machine for contemplation, gratitude, and hope.” ~ Justin R