Tom is not only a dedicated father but also a passionate ecologist deeply fascinated by the natural world, including animals, fungi, and ecosystems. This profound passion has steered him toward a career in science as an ecologist, and much of it can be traced back to the fact that he was born with only one hand.
Being born with a limb difference and only one hand, Tom’s parents were exceptionally accepting and never overprotective. This environment cultivated resilience within Tom, allowing him to experience and overcome challenges while fostering fierce independence. Tom has been a client of APC for some time now and told us, “My Prosthetists at APC have played a key role in helping me with my upper limb journey, making attachments for an arm I can work out with, for the use of my compound bow, and the building of my myoelectric arm!”
Tom has two primary life goals:
His company, aptly named “Hooked on Nature,” reflects his hook on the natural world and his embracing of his prosthetic hand as a vital part of his life as an amputee.
Tom’s message for amputees is: “Really learn to love yourself without a prosthetic and accept who you are. Don’t hide what you have, and then incorporate your prosthetic into your life! I really believe that when you are an upper limb amputee, people stare, and it’s more obvious. Don’t push people away from that. Encourage conversations. I meet lots of kids through work, and I treat this as an opportunity to educate people about my limb difference.”
However, Tom acknowledges that he has also faced internal struggles, including a lingering sense of having to prove himself, often referred to as having a “chip on his shoulder.” This feeling has occasionally led to anger toward those close to him, causing hurt. In fact, his sisters nicknamed him “Chip.”
Tom is still working through these emotions, which stem from the frustration of navigating life with just one hand, especially given his active nature.
One of Tom’s most significant personal challenges was finding comfort in his own skin. He tackled this challenge by taking part in wildlife shows at institutions like the Australian Wildlife Museums, Wildlife Conservations, Botanic Gardens, and more. Tom recently also accomplished a remarkable feat by rock climbing outdoors without the aid of his prosthetic limb, an achievement he takes great pride in. These experiences gradually built his confidence and pushed him to speak in front of audiences.
