Vendor of the Week - Don Rakoczi

Vendor of the Week - Don Rakoczi

Apr 7, 2010, Vol: 17, No: 15

Vendor of the week Don Rakoczi sells the paper outside the Puerto Vallarta Mexican restaurant near the Alaska Junction in West Seattle.

"Ive been mugged. I was nearly beaten to death. Had my jaw broken, had to have that wired shut. Ribs were broken, hands were broken, pelvis was cracked, my skull was cracked. They didnt use their hands, they used their feet and just kicked me. Woke up at first Valley General, then Harborview. Seen the white light at the end of the tunnel. That was a very difficult experience.

"I was homeless at the time. I was riding my bike to go visit a friend. That was when I had my bike. They stole my bike. It was a 21-speed Diamond Back. Good bike. But at least Im alive. I have my life, my pride. Not much health.

"I was born and raised here in West Seattle. Been homeless for going on a year now. My fiancée and I live from spot to spot, we eat from here to here. We just keep moving along, one foot in front of the other. Keep going forward, thats all you can do.

"Its a good community. People are kind to you. Papers sell pretty well. I used to ride my bike up and down these streets all the time when I was a teenager. Its home.

"Were looking for houses and apartments right now. Were on the rent and housing lists, King County housing lists, Seattle housing lists. Ive tried the shelters downtown, theyre full of bedbugs and Im allergic to bug bites so that doesnt work for me. Then youve got to stand in line and Im disabled.

What inspires you to keep on?

"Life in general. The sunshine. Even on a rainy day, its all right. There are good people out here that care. I got a lot a pride for Real Change and the people who work for Real Change. Because without those people, life would be even worse."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• real change news
• street newspapers
• homelessness
• assault
• bicycle
• theft
• shelter
• west seattle
• harborview
• alaska junction