EPISODE 24: TOMY PARKER

In this episode we are joined by Tomy Parker, a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to his first and only time to Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion 5th Marine Regiment. In December 2010 while on a foot patrol, Tomy stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) resulting in the amputation of his right leg above the knee, his left leg at the hip, and all of his fingers on his left hand saving his thumb. Over the next eighteen months, Tomy went through extensive rehabilitation to learn to live his life without his legs. He returned to Montana where his hometown community rallied to welcome him home. Soon after, he lost his purpose in life in replace of a drug addiction. This led him down the long dark road of substance abuse for the better part of a decade, ultimately resulting in spending eighteen months incarcerated. While incarcerated, Tomy turned his life around and found his purpose to push once again. Since then he has gone on to become an adaptive athlete. He has competed in multiple half marathons, one full marathon, and is currently training to race in his first Iron Man. Tomy continues to push himself every day with his training and has future goals of starting his own business with the help of Warrior Rising as well as competing in larger scale marathons such as the Boston Marathon. Tomy continues helping others by shattering perceived limitations and stereotypes that disabled people “can’t” and showing that disabled people “will.” Tony’s unique ability to find light in darkness and comedy in dim situations allows him to have a potentially greater impact on those to whom he speaks.