Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - My reply.

In regards to the March 13th article in the Marin Independent Journal:

There is more to this story, and I feel obligated to share my side.

I have done my best to understand everyone’s position in this matter. I can appreciate the newspaper’s craving for an eye-catching headline and article. I recognize that the doctor would be upset with me for being somewhat untruthful and preventing him from fully examining me. I acknowledge that the District Attorney would be frustrated by many of my actions. I can certainly understand Mr. Arrigoni’s desire to protect himself. I also appreciate the Arrigoni and Ghilloti families’ wish to keep one of their own out of trouble. If I had a son, I would go to any lengths to shield him. I accept this.

I also freely admit that I have made my mistakes. When I started noticing improvement in my sight last fall, I made a decision not to tell anyone. The life of a partially sighted person is not easy. Very few people understand visual impairment, and even fewer understand partial sight. For instance, a close friend of mine has diabetic retinopathy. This condition has left him with a small spot of central vision, and no peripheral sight. Because of this, he must use a mobility aid (a “blind stick”). However, with his central vision, he is able to read things such as traffic signs and food containers. He is harassed, frequently aggressively, on a daily basis by people who don’t comprehend his situation. I decided not to expose myself to this treatment. I now realize that this attempt at self-preservation led me into a series of missteps. I should have been honest with everyone about my improving condition from the beginning, but I wasn’t, and now I’m paying the price. I accept this.

The article accused me of many atrocious acts. However, my life would be very different right now if they were true. One hurtful allegation was that I am not now, nor have I ever been, visually impaired. This statement is not truthful, and the reporter knowingly disregarded direct evidence (my medical records) to make it. Even more cruelly, it suggested I have somehow taken a guide dog another blind person. If this were factual, my Oliana would be removed from me. However, in reviewing my records, the guide dog school has not and will not take her as I am still visually impaired and require her service. Unfortunately, nothing I say or do will change many people’s perception of me. This article has permanently crippled my integrity. I accept this.

I have tried my hardest to grasp all aspects of my life as a visually impaired person. I have learned that I can not bend everything to my will. I am aware that I make mistakes, and I have to live with their consequences. I also know that I have made peace with myself and the important people in my life. Few can understand the torment of losing vision. Every day is filled with terror, loneliness and confusion. I had to give up my three favorite activities; school, work, and riding my bike. Even worse than not being able to see the face of a loved one is knowing that the memory of their appearance fades daily. Few are able to empathize. I accept this.

My vision has been improving steadily for many months now, and I can only hope this continues. All I have left is the dream of sight, the love of my family, and the knowledge that I have said my piece.

Thank you,
Torrin

I think we are glad that you are recovering and hope that you will be back to posting more often and chatting with us. Whatever mistake you've made can and will be forgiven in due time and whatever is owed you by the aggressor will also come in due time. Good luck with recovery.

I've been watching this unfold, and this is what I suspected to be the case. Torrin, in my opinion, you've openly admitted your mistake (which isn't even that horrible of one, I would imagine anyone could have made the same), and all is forgiven. I hope that your recovery is quick and complete.

The only frustrating thing is that Mr Idiot got off. This whole mess is his fault. Ugh! He makes me soo angry and disgusted!

thanks for taking the time to clairfy. just know that you don't owe any of us anything. best of luck on your recovery and moving on with life. i can't pretend to know what it's like, but i think you'll emerge from this a stronger person.

Glad to hear your side of the story. I really couldn't be bothered to wade through all 4 pages of that other thread regarding the article. The first page was far enough!! Hopefully your vision improves to 100%! You're in our prayers!

James

Your response sounds mature. Too bad your actions were not.

Your response sounds mature. Too bad your actions were not.

pull your head out of your ass, cheer up and stop looking for ways to make yourself feel better by hurting people over the internet.

hows that for mature?

Your response sounds mature. Too bad your actions were not.



shut the eff up.

I don't know you, Torrin, but I think your explanation of your side of things is certainly a step in the right direction, both legally and morally. I have a preternatural fear of anything relating to an eye injury or impairment of my eyesight, so I can certainly relate. If it hadn't been actively concealed, though, your improvement may have been only a mitigating factor, and not a basis for a complete dismissal of the criminal action, and wouldn't probably have as great an effect on the civil action (whatever that may be). In short, it's always better to get this stuff out in the open. Thanks for giving your side of things--life is long, and it will work itself out.

pull your head out of your ass, cheer up and stop looking for ways to make yourself feel better by hurting people over the internet.

hows that for mature?

If you want to condone someone's lack of integrity, you are certainly free to do that.

The "Yes Men" forum is over there, over the next hill.

shut the eff up.

I really really love this forum. Whenever I make a good point that isn't in agreement with somebody, they resort to an ad homium attack, and/or tell me to shut up. Good thing I don't care if you like or don't like me.

Torrin made his bed, now he gets to lie in it. Of course it is too bad he got injured. I've had my share of serious cycling injuries including a dose of wheelchair time and multiple surgeries, and I'm certainly glad I never had anything pemanent happen to me. I hope he continues to improve.

Nevertheless what he did was wrong, and the authories acted accordingly.

shut the eff up.
Torrin's reply kinda puts a damper on what you said in the other thread, huh?

Torrin's reply kinda puts a damper on what you said in the other thread, huh?


Not really, because torrin still has injuries and you people STILL MAKE ME SICK.

The guy has had a really difficult year, GET OFF HIS BACK.

i'm about sick of you too. why can't people post their opinions without being told to shut up? who do you think you are?

because his retort to such an honest, painful, open and vulnerable post deserves a big shut the hell up. that's why.

Maybe he didn't handle it as gracefully ad YOU wanted, but it sure is easy for you to sit back in your high chair and point the finger

what is wrong with you people? can't you see the guy has been through hell?

Is it a criminal offense to fake a medical condition in a court of law?

Good to hear your side of the story. The only thing that matters is that your eyesight is improving.

I'm with T.I.P. here. Maybe his actions in the first place weren't squeaky clean, but I probably would have done the same as he did in his situation. IMO, nobody got what they deserved, legally speaking. The victim got f*cked, the perp walked. To the naysayers: show some respect for what the guy's been through and shut the hell up.

I really really love this forum. Whenever I make a good point that isn't in agreement with somebody, they resort to an ad homium attack, and/or tell me to shut up. Good thing I don't care if you like or don't like me.


It's not your "good point" that people are responding to. It's the lack of tact. You wanted a fight, you got it.

I sincerely hope what was taken from you returns Torrin.

I was shot in the eye with a pellet rifle when a child and lost sight in both eyes for several days.
Terrifying.
As an adult, I imagine it would be even more so- to lose your sight.

The world is just as ugly\beautiful as you remember it.
Just depends where\how you look at it....and has nothing to do with sight.

Peace.

Torrin - Good luck with your recovery. Hopefully the worst
part of this nightmare is over. Don't let the negative folks
get you down there are a lot of people on BF.net that look
forward to your future posts.

jeff

he way I see it:
We all defend our spaces in times of need. Torrin defended his and was assaulted with a ****ing vehicle. Not cool.
When I visited Torrin, had I lobbed a tennis ball at him, he would not have been able to catch it due to his lack of sight. You cannot fake the position of a person's eyes who has lost his or her sight - like my father's when his retina detached.
I know of at least TWO cases of soldiers being in range of an IED and losing their sight temporarily. Go to a VA and check the cases coming home - they will be there. Often times, it does return, if only partially.
I do not care what anyone's experiences are be it messenger, commuter, recreation rider, or professional cyclist. The bottom line remains:

A cyclist was assaulted with a VEHICLE. Justice was not served, it was diverted. By no means does this excuse the actions of the driver.

Bad journalism is for parrot cages.

I am glad Torrin is still around. Period.

"I recognize that the doctor would be upset with me for being somewhat untruthful and preventing him from fully examining me." "When I started noticing improvement in my sight last fall, I made a decision not to tell anyone. " "I now realize that this attempt at self-preservation led me into a series of missteps. I should have been honest with everyone about my improving condition from the beginning, but I wasn’t, and now I’m paying the price. I accept this."


Sounds to me like he is aware of his mistakes and has come to terms with his actions like an adult. Some of the comments were a bit harsh ,but thats just one persons opinion. Maybe some of you should follow Torrins lead and stop acting like little children anytime someone has an opinion that you dont like.

i feel like a complete *******, but is there a thread that explains what you are all talking about?

i found it earlier. search for "lacklust" in the topic title.

thanks.

I appreciate your response. However, what you did was still wrong, you lied, or at the very least decided to hide the truth from a court of law.
While I understand that you might have wanted to maintain he severity of the case, it probably would have been wise to come out with the truth, partial vision is still not the same as full vision, the court should know that and there are still other things to prosecute the driver on. Best of luck.

Is it a criminal offense to fake a medical condition in a court of law?

If he's made any kind of statement under oath, then yes.

Lucklust, I hope you recover and can do things that you like to do again.

Here's the last story I could find. Just FYI for those unfamiliar.

http://www.marinij.com/fastsearchresults/ci_3476740

And one more recent AP story.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/03/ap/strange/mainD8G4D3T04.shtml

Man, that story got some serious run. ABC site, CBS site, Seattle Times, Biloxi paper, Minneapolis paper, etc.

There's even a picture of him making a speech out there (I think).

http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/TheLightHouseTorrinArnoldspeaks.php

...
Arrigoni is the son of Peter Arrigoni, a prominent Marin resident and former member of the board of supervisors.

The defendant had a star-studded support network present at the hearing, including former supervisor Gary Giacomini, current Supervisor Hal Brown, former county counsel Doug Maloney and construction magnate Mario Ghilotti.
...

Call me cynical, but I think that has a lot more to do with how this turned out than anything else.



Arnold said he plans to pursue a lawsuit against Arrigoni.

Good. I hope you win, Torrin. Regardless of how badly your sight is impaired, he hit you and then drove off. For that, he deserves to be punished. A criminal conviction would have been good, but monetary damages may actually have more impact (no pun intended).

Thanks for standing up for all cyclists. It's absurd that we have to go to court to defend our right not to be run over, but unfortunately, that is the case. Thanks for doing what needs to be done. I hope you make a full recovery. :)

the thing that people seem to be forgetting is that the criminal case should have been about the fact that the defendant struck torrin with his car, and then drove off and had to be cornered by witnesses before turning himself in. the blindness was a bodily injury, which could have increased the severity of the punishment, but hit and run is still a felony, with or without permanent injuries.

the thing that people seem to be forgetting is that the criminal case should have been about the fact that the defendant struck torrin with his car, and then drove off and had to be cornered by witnesses before turning himself in. the blindness was a bodily injury, which could have increased the severity of the punishment, but hit and run is still a felony, with or without permanent injuries.

I don't think anyone's forgetting this. If Torrin had been honest from the start, that's exactly what the case would have been ALL about, and that road-raging **** would probably have been charged with felony hit and run by now. Another one off the streets. Instead Torrin has very publicly confirmed the unfair stereotype of a reckless, irresponsible cyclist, prepared to go to extrordinary (not to mension illegal) lengths to punish a motorist, increasing his own compensation payments into the bargain.

I predict (and honestly hope) that Torrin will be back on his bike soon after all the legal preceedings are over.

i haven't heard of him being arrested for anything, which is usually the consequence for doing something illegal...what exactly did he do (that pertains to his court case) that was illegal again?

the man cannot see, this is from someone who has actually been in his presence. i am ****ing floored by how many people here believe that he was faking. they could have introduced torrin's own medical records in court, but they didn't. torrin wanted it to go away after all this, the DA wanted it to go away, and most importantly, arrigoni wanted it to go away, and so it did. that's the way it works in this country, the person with the biggest gun wins.

errm... perjury?

If the man cannot see, he should get a second opinion before his vision improves any more.

i am ****ing floored by how many people here believe that he was faking


I should have been honest with everyone about my improving condition from the beginning, but I wasn’t

I don't know why you're ****ing floored by this.

Not being honest = being dishonest = faking.

It's just a matter of degree.

"this is ridiculous. there's so much to say and i don't have the time, or the energy to say it.

Torrin is one of my closest friends. He loved riding his bike, and every day that he's not on his bike is killing him. he has always been one of the most driven, most upstanding people i know. if anyone out there thinks that an organization that spends tens of thousands of dollars to train a guide dog would just give one away without testing the recipient, or getting legitimate medical records first, get a god damn clue. the same goes for the braile/orientation school and the other organizations that have given so much to Torrin.

i never thought this criminal case would turn out well for torrin. the guy has too many friends and has gotten away with too many crimes in the past to be taken down by this. hopefully, the civil case will go better than this did and the jackass will pay through the nose."

from onetinsloth. repeat, "if anyone out there thinks that an organization that spends tens of thousands of dollars to train a guide dog would just give one away without testing the recipient, or getting legitimate medical records first, get a god damn clue."

best thing I've read in any of these posts. let it die.

Yikes most of us discover that lying is a problem by loosing a friend who discovers the truth. That is painful enough, but to have the whole thing played out in the public arena that has got to be tough. The emotions and reactions of others when publicly admitting this must be a very difficult way to learn that one of a person’s most important assets is their credibility. You are getting a lot of support here, and I know that you must have considered that your actions could cause others to be negatively affected.

If you are going to get your 15 minutes, you have to find a way to make the most of it. It is very possible to turn this whole thing around 180 degrees with the right combination of contrition, embarrassment, and sincerity. Your mistake clearly does not negate the other’s mistake, but now it is on you even more, to do all that you can to turn this around.

if anyone out there thinks that an organization that spends tens of thousands of dollars to train a guide dog would just give one away without testing the recipient, or getting legitimate medical records first, get a god damn clue.

Right. These guys obviosly arn't seeong the same medical records that the district attorney saw. What's going on here?
IMO, Torrin should get a honest full visual assesment from a reputable doctor (i.e. one where he is honest to the doc about what he can see and what he can't). Only then can he make any further progress in this matter. Without reliable evidence that he has a real problem with his vision, he has no crdibility in court.

When did everyone on this board find time to go to ****ing law school?

When did everyone on this board find time to go to ****ing law school?

It takes less time than medical school.

My bottom line is that he tried to get over on others becuase he was done wrong. Getting done wrong is one thing, and justice should be served for that.

But a lie is a lie, and lying is wrong. And that is a moral absolute for me. What some of you people are on about is simple situational ethics, and it is not a terribly defensible position.

So, I might not be taking the most human approach vis-a-vis Torrin's current situation. Sorry.

My bottom line is that he tried to get over on others becuase he was done wrong. Getting done wrong is one thing, and justice should be served for that.

But a lie is a lie, and lying is wrong. And that is a moral absolute for me. What some of you people are on about is simple situational ethics, and it is not a terribly defensible position.

So, I might not be taking the most human approach vis-a-vis Torrin's current situation. Sorry.

you really are an a$$.. a self rightous one at that.. and one pretentious enough to use "vis-a-vis" seriously..

you have no idea how you'd react in this situation.. so hop down from the high horse, dude... this isnt a "wallet left on the counter" moral exercise...its amazing you wonder why people are telling you to shut up.

When did everyone on this board find time to go to ****ing law school?

<raises hand> You can find the time to do anything you want to do.

And on that note... a lot of the posts have no idea what they are talking about legally, and are looking at the legal world very narrowly.

you really are an a$$.. a self rightous one at that.. and one pretentious enough to use "vis-a-vis" seriously..

you have no idea how you'd react in this situation.. so hop down from the high horse, dude... this isnt a "wallet left on the counter" moral exercise...its amazing you wonder why people are telling you to shut up.

I know I wouldn't lie about my medical condition in an effort to reap financial gain. I know that becauase I value my integrity above all. The fact that I have studied ethics has only solidified my belief in the importance of integrity. That is why Torrin's demonstrated lack of integrity is appaling to me, and that is a separate matter from his medical condition. Any sympathy I have towards his medical condition is diminished by my contempt for his lack of integrity. I'm sure that others feel this way too.

For Torrin: Whatever pain, lonliness, and self realization you have been through this past year, I hope nothing more than that you will one day put this all behind you, regardless of what physical consequences you must live with. I hope that you will always continue to be the fun and happy person that I knew. You are very bold to admit you flaws, and only a person of the highest integrity can admit they were wrong.

<raises hand> You can find the time to do anything you want to do.

And on that note... a lot of the posts have no idea what they are talking about legally, and are looking at the legal world very narrowly.

I wasn't being serious. I was actually trying to use sarcasm to point out that a lot of people are/were shooting their mouths off about things of which they probably have little to no actual understanding.

I know I wouldn't lie about my medical condition in an effort to reap financial gain. I know that becauase I value my integrity above all. The fact that I have studied ethics has only solidified my belief in the importance of integrity. That is why Torrin's demonstrated lack of integrity is appaling to me, and that is a separate matter from his medical condition. Any sympathy I have towards his medical condition is diminished by my contempt for his lack of integrity. I'm sure that others feel this way too.

i heard you loud and clear the first couple of times...it's funny you studied ethics.. because its very obvious, hence my "wallet on the counter" quote.. its nice that you get to view the world like a textbook example.

to me, you just prove torrins point that people don't understand the vagueness of partial blindness and instead can only comprehend absolutes. What im saying is, unless you've experienced something similer to torrins medical condition, regardless of what percent blind he actually is, spare us the "i would nevers..." How can you even begin to claim what you would do without going through all the emotional pain such a situation causes?

So take all your self-rightous contempt and name calling somewhere else, it is pompous and hollow.

I hate getting in internet pissing contests.....I can't sit this out. In fact, I'm upset about how fast people doubted Torrin and talked trash without knowing the whole story, but I'm more upset with our lack of community support.

We do have a lot of new riders or at least new people in the forum. All of us seem to be really opinionated, which I have come to expect people in here. In fact I have come to expect 2 things from people in SS/FG.
1. We all have something to say about anything and everything
2. We always take care of our own.
From when i was a messenger, I knew that no matter who's fault it was, if i saw a cyclist get into it with a car that I would rush to the cyclist's aid. If I ever see a cyclist in need, I help out. If a fixie rider comes in my shop and needs something I hook them up the best I can. Even right now with my broke hand, one of the fixie riders loaned me a car to get to my orthopedic appointment. WK has given me serious career advice, INKDWHEELS gave me my frist fixie and taught me everything I know about survivng on the streets on a bike. We built Nolageek a new bike after Hurricane Katrina. When Brandie (http://www.myspace.com/brandeleen) died in NYC we all felt that pain, we all feel the same rage for drivers who don't respect our lives. We are a community, a group rooted in culture and many of us are very new to this culture. Some of you I've known for 3 or four years only through internet contact and still consider you close personal friends whom I would do anything in my power to help. Torrin was one of the old school when I got here and his accident was the first I really saw people come together on here. Its sounds so stupid, but we will destroy part of what makes riding a fixed gear so great if we keep tearing each other down. So many of us seem more than willing to attack the character of a man we have never met and had no contact with. So many people seem willing to take sides based on a few articles instead of getting alot of insight into the history of the accident. If you dig through the forum at one point Torrin or someone close to him did report that his vision had been improving. Also from early on, there was a discussion as to how the legal case would play out considering how highly connected the driver was.
I guess I'm asking for solidarity. If you want to bicker and cast blame for other issues involved, I know safety and advocacy forum is all about blaming the cyclists for problems on the road or with their lives. For those attacking his legality, I just hope none of you ever run a red light or violate a single law because then we are just getting hypocritical (and we already are). I used to consider a large part of this forum like a family or network of close friends, now I feel like I couldn't trust alot of you to help me off the road after a hit and run.
Maybe I saw something in here or on the bike that wasn't really there, or ever will be or dissappeared along time ago. I can't help but most feel pity for those of you who come in here with a chip on your shoulder or an attitude of F*** everyone else or F**** this guy. I pity you because you miss one of the best parts of riding and of fixie culture, but no matter what I'd still back any of you up on the streets or in a courtroom and I'll mourn for everyone of us hurt and those tragically struck down because I was taught to do so. Torrin was one of the people who taught me that a few years ago and even if I hold issue with the way he may have handled certain things, it would never keep me from standing by his side.

"If the punks are united, they will never be divided"
-The Casualities

I've said my piece, I'm sure many will hold issue with it, some will hopefully agree and maybe some might even change their minds about some things. All I know now is that everyone of us will still be very opinionated. My hand hurts, I'm going to put my splint back on now.