Higher Purpose: Heroic Story of the First Disabled Man to Conquer Everest

By: Tom Whittaker and Johnny Dodd

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Synopsis: As Tom Whittaker struggled to keep conscious the night of 27 November 1979, his thoughts focused on a singular plea: Please, don't let them take my legs. Earlier that evening, a drunk driver struck Tom's VW van on an isolated, snow-covered road in Idaho and shattered his legs -- and his dreams. When he awoke from emergency surgery, the 31-year-old mountaineer's right leg had been amputated at mid-shin and his right kneecap removed. Devastated, he pondered suicide. Finally it occurred to him: you don't need your lower leg to kayak. Seven months after the accident, Tom hobbled down to the south fork of the Payette River, and began paddling. In the years since then, Tom has not only taken his life back, he's taken his family, his fellow sportsmen, and hundreds of thousands of disabled and able-bodied people to the top of the world. In May 1998, Tom became the first amputee to summit Mount Everest. The climb and his inspirational story, as well as his work on behalf of disabled people around the world, have earned him the recognition as one of America's most courageous heroes.

Book Quality:: Excellent
Book Size:: 294 Pages
ISBN-13:: 9780895261991
Publisher:: Regnery Publishing, Incorporated, An Eagle Publishing Company
Date of Addition:: 06/22/15
Copyrighted By:: Tom Whittaker
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: Nonfiction, Sports, Disability-Related, Biographies and Memoirs, Outdoors and Nature
Submitted By:: Daproim Africa
Proofread By:: Daproim Africa
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.