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"Ryan Hutchings -
On the Road to Recovery"
by Denise Wattles
Ryan Hutchings
December 1998
I apologize for not having submitted a follow-up report on
Ryan Hutchings before now but his recovery has been slow and changing day by day since he
was shot on September 24, 1998. He has been through at least three different surgeries to
repair the extensive damage that was done. It was not until late November, seven weeks
after his injury, that Ryan was able to take anything orally, including water. Even at
this point, December 2nd, he cannot eat and depends on a shunt inserted in his chest for
nourishment. Most of his last nine weeks have been spent in the hospital with the
exception of a few days here and there. He is still having trouble with his pancreas and
until that straightens out he cannot eat solid food. There is no way to gauge when this
problem will clear up. In addition, he has 2 drainage tubes inserted 5" in his back
that have to be removed at the rate of 1 inch per week. Danny Paplinsky, the man that
first admitted shooting Ryan, has now pleaded innocent to the charges of pre-meditated
kidnapping, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Danny is being held in the
Redding jail on a $500,000 bond with a trial to take place in March 1999. The gun used in
the assault was a .38 caliber. It is my understanding that the injuries were so serious
because the bullet hit a rib on the way in and "bounced around" injuring his
intestines, pancreas, colon, kidney, aorta and spleen. The bullet then stayed lodged in
his body until he reached the hospital. I have no doubt that Ryan will recover, but he
needs the support of all his friends to get him through the tough days when he gets
discouraged at how long he has been injured and how long he feels it will take him to get
"back in shape". Ryan is one of the most well known and most talented
armwrestlers in the World when he was shot and he expects nothing short of that same
excellence from himself when he recovers. Speak to Ryan daily and let him know that it
won’t be long until his body will be repaired enough for him to start training. He is
hosting the 1999 Double Tree Inn California State Pro-Am Armwrestling Championship in
Redding, California on February 27 & 28, 1999 which also gives him some incentive to
keep going. I know he would love to see you at this event as he has worked hard to make
this a great tournament. In 1998 the Fox Sports Network covered it (thanks to Dave Devoto)
and I am still seeing re-runs on TV. Bill Collins is holding the "Reno Reunion"
tournament at the Sands Hotel in Reno in January and it is my hope and plan that Ryan will
be in attendance. It is armwrestling and the people in armwrestling that have kept him
excited about life and getting better. I really don’t know how Ryan feels about me
giving details about his injuries but I do know that many people are concerned about him
and how he is doing. The cards and letters you have sent him have meant a lot and have
been an important factor in his recovery. The thoughts and letters are still very much
needed through his continued battle to get well. You can send correspondence to: Ryan
Hutchings, Box 491975, Redding, California 96049 and his wife, Leace, will make sure he
gets it. Please keep Ryan and Leace in your thoughts and prayers.
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