REMEMBERING TOM

REMEMBERING TOM ...

Nearly a year ago, our son, Tom died tragically in a floatplane crash in Alaska. It has been a very difficult time for us. We have been trying to think how we can best honor Tom’s memory of his life in his favorite place on earth Alaska. In cooperation with Joyanna Geiser, Director of The Independent Living Center in Homer, AK, we have developed a Tom Beatty Memorial Fund to support Alaskans with disabilities. Tom was the Director of their TRAILS program where he enabled folks with disabilities to have fun learning to enjoy the outdoors through fishing, kayaking, skiing and other activities. His love of adventure, teaching new skills, and his unique ability to encourage people of all abilities to expand their horizons gave so many a new outlook on life. His good-natured manner gave people confidence in themselves and immense satisfaction in achievements they never thought possible.

One example, a young man named Greg was paralyzed from the waist down from an auto accident as a teenager. Down on life and close to giving up, Tom encouraged Greg to learn to ski at the Aleyeska Ski Resort in a special device called a “mono ski” “You can sit on the couch or come out on the slopes”, Tom would challenge. With natural ability, Greg soon mastered the ski so well that Tom took him to the Paralympic Training Center in Vail 2007. The trip was funded by The Independent Living Center. Although crushed by Tom’s death, Greg returned again to Vail in 2008 and has committed himself to move to Colorado to continue training for the Paralympics. His training and equipment will benefit from Tom’s Memorial Fund.

Greg wrote us in an email “Tom was such a big influence on my life. He gave me back the thing I needed the most - hope.”

Tom believed that everyone, no matter their disability must take responsibility as their part in learning new challenges. This fund will enable The Independent Living Center to sponsor individuals like Greg and many others willing to take that responsibility to turn their disabilities into new found abilities.

We ask your support in this endeavor by making a contribution to The Independent Living Center. The enclosed brochure elaborates on the fund and its purpose. We also enclose a small copy of the Memorial Citation created by the Alaska State Legislature in recognition of Tom’s remarkable work with the people of Alaska.

signed by Russ and Jane

TOM BEATTY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS & PROGRAMS

Greg and Tom at The Olympic Training Center in Vail, Colorado

JOIN US... in helping others have the time of their lives by donating to the Tom Beatty Memorial; assisting persons of all abilities to participate in recreation and individual pursuits.

TOM'S LEGACY......
Tom loved life and lived it to the fullest, whether he was carving a turn at Alyeska, hooking a big one on the American Creek in Katmai or going on a Monster Slide at the water park with his daughter Lindsay. But most of all Tom loved seeing people of all abilities having fun and trying out new adventures no matter how big or small. Tom's energy and life lives on in all who knew him. The Tom Beatty Memorial will support Alaskans with disabilities to pursue their dreams of adventure, fun and confidence in life.

HOW YOU CAN HELP.....
The Independent Living Center is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides services to people and families experiencing disabilities. TRAILS is our inclusive recreation component that incorporates recreation, adventure and community into our services and our lives. Tom was an integral part of the development of TRAILS. Tom's family, co-workers and friends have come together to find a way of sharing Tom's love and joy of the outdoors. This Memorial Fund will enable us to provide unique activities and/or equipment for individuals wishing to access adventure and personal dreams. We are asking those who knew Tom and those who support his mission of everyone having fun in life to please make your tax deductible donations to:

TOM BEATTY MEMORIAL (C/O ILC)
BOX 2474
HOMER, ALASKA 99603


Caleb horsin' around with Tom on the Kenai River.

Where there's a will there's a way; fishing the Kasilof with Colton, Tom and Jaha.

Chanda and Tom hit the ice in TRAILS new sledge.

Tom setting up camp for TRAILS first overnight.

Jeremey and Tom paddling in Kayaker's Cove.

Colton and Tom fishing Johnson Lake.

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln