L.A. Daily News Story on Kristina Ripatti
In June, Jack Dunphy wrote here about the paralyzed Kristina Ripatti using a walker to cross the finish line at the LAPD’s annual Police Memorial Run. Jack said:
At this year’s event, Ripatti covered most of the running course in her wheelchair, but then, in one of the most remarkable displays of strength and determination I’ve ever witnessed, used a walker to cross the last fifty feet to the finish line.
At a time when the local media remain focused to the point of obsession on the MacArthur Park melee, it’s important to remember the risks cops willingly face every day they put on the uniform. One hears a lot of talk about the “LAPD culture” and its supposed role in what happened at MacArthur Park, but the department’s true culture was on display Saturday morning at Dockweiler Beach, most notably in the person of Kristina Ripatti. There just weren’t any reporters there to tell you about it.
As it turns out, there was at least one: Brent Hopkins of the L.A. Daily News. It’s just that his paper took three months to tell the story.
It’s worth the wait:
The finish line was 40 long yards away as Ripatti channeled her upper-body strength to push her legs forward.
With each flex of her shoulders, the brace redirected the movement down through her unfeeling thighs and calves. Her legs jerked along as she grimaced in pain.
She’d done this before in the privacy of the gym, but never for this distance and with this many spectators. She wasn’t back on her feet for good, but with the right conditions and supreme effort, maybe she could make it all the way.
The cops of Southwest moved along behind her, clapping in unison. And a crowd began to form, first a few, then more, then more.
As she took each agonizing step forward, the crowd swelled until, pretty soon, 1,200 police officers surrounded the finish line.
They roared with approval, pumping their fists and cheering. Bratton and his No. 2, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, stood at the heart, encouraging Ripatti onward. She kept pushing forward, arms straining and teeth gritted.
She crossed the line.
The energy cascaded forward as the crowd erupted with wild yells. [Husband Tim] Pearce, heart pounding and eyes misting, embraced her in a mad hug and she grinned.
This was the first time in a year he’d hugged her standing up, the first time he’d looked into her eyes, an intimate moment, surrounded by a thousand roaring cops.
“I forgot how tall you are,” he told her, softly.
Read it all the way to the end. Trust me on this.
P.S. Did I mention that there is video of the moment at the link? Believe it or not, it is more moving even than the description above.
What an incredibly moving story, and the video … get ready for the waterworks.
JD (f6a000) — 9/11/2007 @ 6:48 amHow many people in this country can read this story and not understand Ripatti or the ideals she lives by?
PCD (b47ba5) — 9/11/2007 @ 7:11 amWhat a wonderful way to start the morning – reading (and watching) the beauty and strength of one woman determined to overcome what for most of us would be the impossible.
As a woman I am so disgusted to see mostly women undeservedly in the spotlight, whose only claim to fame is their immorality personified or sheer foolishness. What a grand thing to see a woman like this. It is to the LAT’s shame that they willfully missed such a golden opportunity. Not a surprise though.
Dana (b4a26c) — 9/11/2007 @ 7:13 amwonderful!
kimsch (a05a17) — 9/11/2007 @ 9:31 ami believe the lapd culture was on display at both places.
assistant devil's advocate (fb55b8) — 9/11/2007 @ 9:40 amAwesome story!
Kristina’s a real stud!
Congrats to Kris and Tim.
thebronze (17f671) — 9/11/2007 @ 12:11 pmBeautiful, well-done story. What a twist at the end!
Russell (b42f63) — 9/11/2007 @ 4:40 pmThis remarkable young woman should be held up as the hero that she is, and as an example for those that, in many things in life, wish to just throw in the towel and quit.
NorCal Cop (dba9bf) — 9/12/2007 @ 9:41 amI watched your story on ABC Extreme Homemakeover and I recall some type of therapy you and other paralyzed individuals were undergoing to overcome the odds and walk again. A 20 yr old young man in our community was paralyzed following a motorbike accident (wearing all proper equipment). He is the oldest of 7 kids; he is exploring all kinds of options. Can you tel me about the therapy they featured on the show so I can pass it along? I can also share his name offline.
Elizabeth Good (52beb2) — 10/26/2007 @ 4:07 pmHi Elizabeth Good,
This isn’t Kristina Ripatti’s website but Patterico and Jack Dunphy post about her because they care for and admire her. You might pass along this NuStep website link to your friends. I don’t know anything about NuStep or its product, but it might be a place to get information and they might be able to put you in touch with Kristina Ripatti.
DRJ (207a4b) — 10/26/2007 @ 4:15 pm