Comeback kid -- Pediatrics, Christmas, Metra

Having loosly known the Bartons at the time of the accident, Rachel has apparently not changed much. She was spoiled and snobbish then, and is even worse now. How many people THRIVE despite their disabilities? At the time of the accident, and obviously even today, Rachel has always been a "poor me" victim rather than a "I will" survivor. Also, I find it interesting that one of her first "worries" at the time of the accident was that no man could love her because she was "disfigured", and now she apparently has a husband. Poor poor Rachel, let's all peep in on the trainwreck of her life...

It saddens me to read the comments of those such as "bonehead", but I understand them as phenomena. Empathy is one of the characteristics of emotional intelligence, and it is clear that such individuals are grossly lacking in this attribute. With this said, it was good to get such a detailed examination of Rachel's life, before and after the accident. It was also good to read about the elements of triumph in the face of tragedy. One of my favorite memories is of Rachel playing the National Anthem before a Bull's game. Her playing gave me chills. I wish her well, and if top level success eludes her, I hope she is thankful for the opportunities she has to perform; I most certainly am.

What a sob story she has. Perfect for accompaniment by violin music!

This woman obviously has issues. They sent a CHILD psychologist to deal with her at the age of 20? That should tell you something.

And why at the age of 17 was she allowed to jet off to Europe when her parents didn't want her to go? Wasn't she still a minor? Couldn't they stop her?

If she didn't want to talk about what happened to her, then why did she give a graphic description of every inch of her body? That was just gross.

This woman sounds like she is suffering physically, but again, it is just like when she refused to let go of the violin. She is obviously making medical choices that favor her career as a violinist over her well-being and comfort. If she is such an intellectual superstar I am sure there are other ways she could use her talent that don't compromise her health.

Think about Christopher Reeve. His accident left him in a much worse state than Rachel Barton but if you look at all the good he achieved in more than one area after his accident it is inspiring. He was able to continue to be involved in film, and he used his fame to advocate for others who suffered similar injuries. Truly a good man.

Rachel Barton, on the other hand, sounds like she has grown up like other child stars who just didn't turn out quite right-Gary Coleman, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson or even Dana Plato. Selfish and bitter.

So glad to read the"real" story of Rachel Barton Pines. I remember that day in 1995 quite well. I not only admire her ability to pluck but her pluckiness!!!

Chasing prizes instead of appreciating what you have...

Certainly life must be hard since the accident, but she never has gotten beyond herself and she wants. I think that's what bugs me the most about her.

She was as much to blame for her accident as Metra was, yet she got a huge settlement that still isn't enough. And it seems like she cut off her entire family who sacrificed for her career and suffered along with her after the accident.

She's a mightly unpleasant individual.

This is one of the most moving and emotional articles I have read in years. I remember when Rachel was injured. It was a devastating story. I was from Winnetka and she is a few years younger than I am. I am in awe of her courage, utter talent and drive. Mr. Reich, you blew me away with this one. I wish Rachel all the success, recovery and fulfilled dreams that she deserves.

The telltale line in the article reavealing her selfishness and arrogance was her comment after playing in New Mexico:

"And she realizes that ensembles such as Santa Fe's, while impressive for such a small town, do nothing to promote the kind of top-rank, international career she once was close to achieving.

"I find it really good to play with an orchestra like this, and play for all these wonderful people," she says on the way to the airport. "But when I play with an orchestra on the next level, it's such a deeper experience, and I have this longing for that.""

They're not good enough for her... If she was good enough to play with the best she would be. But she's not.

She's a classic case of a child who's been told all her life that she's better than anyone else and whose parents sacrifice everything for them. She expanded --she didn't grow.

And now she's bitter because she's only one of many talented people but certainly not the best.

I remember when the accident happened. If I had one-tenth of her courage I would be in 7th heaven.

SAM wrote:

Chasing prizes instead of appreciating what you have...
Certainly life must be hard since the accident, but she never has gotten beyond herself and she wants. I think that's what bugs me the most about her.
She was as much to blame for her accident as Metra was, yet she got a huge settlement that still isn't enough. And it seems like she cut off her entire family who sacrificed for her career and suffered along with her after the accident.
She's a mightly unpleasant individual.

What a smug, hateful and envious posting. You are of course free to voice your opinion, but what a vindictive soul you are. Nowhere in the article did Rachel say the settlement was not enough. In my mind, no amount of money can ever compensate her for the loss of her promising career and all the pain she still endures.

If I recall correctly, unbiased witnesses during her trial testified RB clearly panicked when she realized she had missed her stop, jumped thru closing doors, and refused to let go of her case while being dragged under the train. How does this make her a victim of Metra's negligence? Flame me if you must, but RB has calculatingly exploited and profited from her own stupid mistake.

booksdates wrote:

and she didn't let the violin go why again?

The comments here are shameful. Rachel's ARM was pinned. How could she let go of her arm?
Thankgoodness some have posted compassionate responses.

Her arm wasn't pinned. She let go of the case when her leg was severed. If her arm had been pinned, it would have remained pinned until the next stop. According to witnesses, she was holding the straps with her hands and outstretched arms.

Bonehead and booksdates--READ THE ARTICLE! She was trapped at shoulder level, facing BACKWARD and couldn't let go. She did her best to get out of the straps and COULDN'T or there wouldn't be any more story.This is what I had always wondered-and Metra did a great job of blaming her for-Why didn't she just let go? Thanks to the author for a dispassionate description and not Metra's blame casting.

I had only heard Rachel's name periodically, in association with the accident/lawsuit, and am glad to be able to read the real story of what happened and her struggle to recover. She is not a "one hit wonder" famous only because of her injuries.

Through this many years of agonizing surgeries, therapies and trauma, I think Rachel has done very well. Her sister's decision to break off contact is wholly understandable, but her own after the years of stress. It's unrealistic to expect Rachel to be happy all the time or let it all go when she is constantly faced with ongoing procedures and endless treatment. If she'd had a complete amputation and her condition was stable, that would make sense but not in this situation. She is doing well moving on with her life and career in the face of constant pain and uncertainty, and that's pretty darn good. She's not sitting in the nursing home whining about what could have been, she's out there doing it, fighting hard to make her marriage, family and career work. She is "moving on" to all you jerks who posted, but can't move PAST it, because it's not past. There is no closure, no "end in sight" and I strongly suspect many of the negative posters here would not do nearly as well. The type of denial and false optimism they seem do demand is not only unrealistic, it's unhealthy. If you don't want to read about it, then don't.

I cannot believe all of the people who are comparing her to injures to others. That is just rude and immature.

You all sound bitter and jealous.

kbaann wrote:

Bonehead and booksdates--READ THE ARTICLE! She was trapped at shoulder level, facing BACKWARD and couldn't let go. She did her best to get out of the straps and COULDN'T or there wouldn't be any more story.This is what I had always wondered-and Metra did a great job of blaming her for-Why didn't she just let go? Thanks to the author for a dispassionate description and not Metra's blame casting.
I had only heard Rachel's name periodically, in association with the accident/lawsuit, and am glad to be able to read the real story of what happened and her struggle to recover. She is not a "one hit wonder" famous only because of her injuries.
Through this many years of agonizing surgeries, therapies and trauma, I think Rachel has done very well. Her sister's decision to break off contact is wholly understandable, but her own after the years of stress. It's unrealistic to expect Rachel to be happy all the time or let it all go when she is constantly faced with ongoing procedures and endless treatment. If she'd had a complete amputation and her condition was stable, that would make sense but not in this situation. She is doing well moving on with her life and career in the face of constant pain and uncertainty, and that's pretty darn good. She's not sitting in the nursing home whining about what could have been, she's out there doing it, fighting hard to make her marriage, family and career work. She is "moving on" to all you jerks who posted, but can't move PAST it, because it's not past. There is no closure, no "end in sight" and I strongly suspect many of the negative posters here would not do nearly as well. The type of denial and false optimism they seem do demand is not only unrealistic, it's unhealthy. If you don't want to read about it, then don't.

Well said!!

First, I must say that I'm sickened by the nasty remarks here. Easy to do when you can remain anonymous, right? I've also read such comments about her before, so I wasn't entirely surprised.

I had the real treat of hearing Ms. Pine perform at the Music Institute last fall. I can't afford to attend the CSO, but I can occasionally go see local suburban programming. I very much appreciate how the accident and lengthy recovery truncated her career, but I am also at the same time thankful I have had the chance to hear her play.

Very briefly mentioned in the article is her organization that supports young string players in the US and Africa. While she does not have the international career she seemed destined for, it appears that she has nonetheless found a real calling with her foundation, her teaching, and performing with smaller yet excellent, orchestras.

I hope her career lasts long and is rewarding, and that she continues to make progress with her recovery.

I pose a question to those who have posted the nastier comments: Have you ever heard Ms. Pine perform?

I didn't think so.

Call me a bonehead but wrote:

I am sick of hearing the pathetic story of Rachel Barton. Let's look at the real issues here:
1. If the violin is stuck in the doors of a train, let it go, don't let it drag you onto the tracks.
2. Taking $30M+ taxpayer dollars when it was truly a self caused accident epitimizes the epidemic of lawsuits in the United States today.
3. Accept your injuries, don't be whining about them 13 years later. There are hundreds of soldiers from Iraq who have lost limbs defending our country who amazingly recover in less than a year.
Step up to your own mistakes and please stop complaining.

Yeah, what he says!

Metra will settle every lawsuit. In the London subway / underground sytem signs say "Mind the gap". If you don't and get hurt, it's your fault. Try and sue and they'll laugh at you.

I hate seeing anyone hurt, but 30 million is too much for my tax paying arce to take, for something that was really her fault.

Emmy in Evanston wrote:

I pose a question to those who have posted the nastier comments: Have you ever heard Ms. Pine perform?
I didn't think so.

Of course I have you fool. I'm in the business and she is on a cut from one of the acts that I handle. Average at best.

kbaann wrote:

Bonehead and booksdates--READ THE ARTICLE! She was trapped at shoulder level, facing BACKWARD and couldn't let go. She did her best to get out of the straps and COULDN'T or there wouldn't be any more story.This is what I had always wondered-and Metra did a great job of blaming her for-Why didn't she just let go? Thanks to the author for a dispassionate description and not Metra's blame casting.
I had only heard Rachel's name periodically, in association with the accident/lawsuit, and am glad to be able to read the real story of what happened and her struggle to recover. She is not a "one hit wonder" famous only because of her injuries.
Through this many years of agonizing surgeries, therapies and trauma, I think Rachel has done very well. Her sister's decision to break off contact is wholly understandable, but her own after the years of stress. It's unrealistic to expect Rachel to be happy all the time or let it all go when she is constantly faced with ongoing procedures and endless treatment. If she'd had a complete amputation and her condition was stable, that would make sense but not in this situation. She is doing well moving on with her life and career in the face of constant pain and uncertainty, and that's pretty darn good. She's not sitting in the nursing home whining about what could have been, she's out there doing it, fighting hard to make her marriage, family and career work. She is "moving on" to all you jerks who posted, but can't move PAST it, because it's not past. There is no closure, no "end in sight" and I strongly suspect many of the negative posters here would not do nearly as well. The type of denial and false optimism they seem do demand is not only unrealistic, it's unhealthy. If you don't want to read about it, then don't.

I read it and know of her in the business. She is known as a whinner and never would have made it on talent alone. The accident actually helped her career...Again, let the f'n thing go!!