Tom Whittaker (mountaineer)
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Tom Whittaker (born 1949) is the first disabled person to climb to the summit of Mount Everest.
Whittaker's right foot needed to be amputated following a car accident in 1979. Following this serious accident, he regained his strength and continued climbing. Through training, his prosthetic foot became an advantage to climbing rather than a disadvantage.
In 1981 he founded the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group (C.W.HOG) in Pocatello, Idaho. While living in Idaho, he was active in the southeast Idaho climbing community.
On May 27, 1998, on his third attempt, Whittaker reached the summit of Mt. Everest, a lifelong dream, making him the first person with a disability to accomplish this feat.
Whittaker's current quest is to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.
In the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours List, Whittaker was awarded the OBE.
