He's climbed to the ice capped summit of the world and sunk to the murky depths of the ocean floor. For Tom Whittaker, these physical triumphs are in many ways a metaphor for his life – symbols of the heights and depths that only a few people ever know.
Tom, a native of Wales, loved to sail, climb, kayak and ski as he was growing up. Soon after college, he made his way to the U.S. by crewing on a 65-foot yacht. Once here, he worked at a variety of jobs, and continued to pursue his dream of becoming a professional mountaineer. In the late 1970s, Tom began teaching in the Outdoor Program at Idaho State University, where he also earned a master of arts degree in education.
When an under-insured drunk driver hit his car head-on in November 1979, Tom's life changed forever. Not only were his legs shattered, but so were his dreams. At age 31, with severe multiple injuries and fractures to both legs, Tom underwent the removal of a kneecap and the amputation of his right foot. Soon, huge medical bills forced him to drain his life savings. He wondered how he could ever earn a living again using his professional skills.
“My life,” recalls Tom, "was totally derailed."
But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he gradually put his life back together – and a new dream was born. He went on to earn another master's degree, this one in Athletic Administration. In 1981, Tom created the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group (C.W. HOG), offering rehabilitation for people with disabilities through outdoor adventures. C.W. HOG has since become the model for similar programs around the world.
Tom's two initial attempts at scaling Mt. Everest culminated in success on May 27, 1998, when he became the first disabled person to reach the summit.
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