GILBERT, Ariz. (AP) — Tom Hicks is a former Army paratrooper and military police officer. He’s also a third-degree black belt in karate and teaches classes in Gilbert.
What’s even more amazing is that Hicks is legally blind.
The 43-year-old married father of seven said getting involved in martial arts was his way of protecting his family and becoming more aware of his surroundings.
“If you’re blind, people can take advantage of you,” Hicks said. “I wanted a place to belong to and fit in.”
He’s an inspiration to many. According to research by the Foundation for Blind Children and Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Hicks is the first blind American veteran to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hicks heads up the Lim Kenpo Karate school at Gilbert’s Power Ranch Barn and he works full time helping visually impaired veterans.
“He didn’t let his blindness rule his world,” said Marc Ashton, CEO of Foundation for Blind Children. “He has helped us show the world that there are no obstacles for those with vision loss. They can do anything.”
Hicks lost his eyesight 13 years ago while in the Army due to a hereditary disease — retinitis pigmentosa — which causes the retina to deteriorate. His vision loss was accelerated by concussions during Army football games and banging his head after jumping from planes.
He’s not completely blind. Hicks has light perception and can see certain shapes with the right light.
After 13 years of service, Hicks was honorably discharged from the Army at age 31. Although he was initially devastated because he lost the career he thought he was meant for, a Veteran’s Administration center in Washington state helped him learn strategies to cope with his disability.
Hicks got a guide dog in 2003, a yellow lab named Ethan. The dog led him to a martial arts school in a strip mall, instead of the pizza restaurant he was trying to find to surprise his daughter at work. The mistake changed Hicks’ life.
“He is very inspiring to students and he never uses it (his vision loss) as an excuse,” said Patrice Lim of Mesa, a martial arts professor. “He leads by example, and builds up students. He is very positive and encouraging in his teaching.”
Wanting to give back, Hicks earned a master’s degree in vision rehabilitation therapy and started working for the VA hospital in Phoenix three years ago. As a visual impairment services team coordinator, Hicks helps about 1,000 local vets who are blind and visually impaired.
“One of the hardest things about going blind is you think you’re all alone,” Hicks said. “You can’t feel sorry for yourself.”
Hicks, who serves as vice president of the Blinded Veterans Association local chapter and is an active volunteer and fundraiser with the Foundation for Blind Children, has set out to prove he can do anything despite his disability.
“Hope and inspiration are the greatest gifts you can give to help others,” he said.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
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