Hatrack River Writers Workshop: The Misadventures of Arriki

This is topic The Misadventures of Arriki in forum Grist for the Mill at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :

For those who remember Danielle (arriki) you likely have found her a bit rough around the edges. She was what some considered harsh, opinionated and stubborn, but she had advice that was solid and thought out.

Well the 60 something resident of Austin Texas has run into some bad luck over the last year. Her husband lost his job a year ago. She took up a paper route to make up for lost income and have been forced to rent out part of her house as well. Added to her misery she suffered a small stroke in the summer.

We used to chat quite a bit but I haven't talked to her in awhile. Today she popped on and gave me her latest.

2 days before christmas she was riding her trike while walking her border collie. She never saw the car that hit her trike and sent her head first into the black top. A pair of joggers found her and helped her back on her trike. She never reported the incident and has had headaches ever since.

She can't focus to write and won't take steps to get her head check, promising 'I'll go see a doctor if it gets worse'.

This wily lady is stubborn with a capital S. She won't go to the police (what's the point? Only my dog saw it and I can't indentify the car that hit me), won't seek government help (doesn't trust it), and refuses to apply for social security (I won't get much. I want to wait so I'll get more later).

I don't know what to do about this woman. I have half a mind to report the incident myself but what can a person 2000 miles away and a month from the accident going to say?

She is so frustrating. I wish I could do more and wish she would do more for herself.

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

I feel for you. Just reading the story makes me feel like doing something but at the same time you can't help people who refuse it. That is an ongoing frustration with people of all types. My wife has worked with people like that.

Only thing to do is pray, maybe Somebody else can chip away at their stubbiness.

Posted by philocinemas (Member # 8108) on :

I'm sorry to hear that about arriki. Does she have any children or grandchildren living in the area? Contacting one of them would be my only suggestion. There are other means, but they would probably cause hard feelings and aren't guaranteed to be successful.

I wonder if sometimes people leave Hatrack due to hardship or even death and we never know. If you talk to her some more, tell her those of us who are still here are thinking about her and hoping she seeks help.

[This message has been edited by philocinemas (edited February 04, 2011).]

Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :

Convey my sympathies, if you can, and please tell her to report the accident, if she hasn't. If a guy gets away with running somebody down he might just run somebody else down someday...

Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :

I've always valued Arriki's posts. Reporting it could do some good, perhaps someone in a house around saw something, or a shop recorded some damage.

Posted by Wordcaster (Member # 9183) on :

That's sad to hear.

Sounds like she had a concussion. Most closed head injuries are at highest risk in the first 48 hrs.

I had a bad concussion over ten months ago and still haven't fully recovered (nearly though). They can take a really long time to heal. My problems weren't headaches. I couldn't see straight for weeks and had a general fogginess and neurological issues.

I can't imagine what people go through with blindness or dimentia.

Hang in there! It only gets better with time!