CHAMP asks local man to inspire

"When I was a teenager, it was very simple. 'You have cancer, you can either lose your leg or you can die.'"

Brent Hickman was a physically active 13-year-old when he was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, bone cancer. The only sign had been a sore calf muscle, but X-rays revealed a tumor in his leg. A biopsy confirmed the worst.

He had undergone only a few chemotherapy sessions when he was told that it was his leg or his life.

It was an easy choice.

Now Hickman is 35, the vice-president of sales at a manufacturing company and living happily in Maple Ridge with his wife and son.

He credits his development to the strong foundation he received from the War Amps CHAMP program. The program, which stands for Child Amputee, coaches children under 18 on how to accept their disabilities and create positive strategies to overcome challenges. Along with counselling, they offer financial assistance for special prosthetics and equipment.

Every year the program holds regional seminars, one in every province. Hickman was still undergoing chemotherapy when his father signed them up for their first seminar. Sick from the radiation, he was unable to attend much of the seminar, but his father connected with other parents.

Next year, Hickman returned and was inspired by the children he saw. Small children would play unhampered by their amputations and youth his age and older talked to him about their experiences.

This past weekend, Hickman was able to give back to the program that helped him. He was asked to be the keynote speaker at this year's CHAMP seminar. He called the opportunity an honour, especially with this being the program's 35th anniversary.

"The focus of my speech is my life as an amputee," he said. "It's designed to help younger kids and families realize even people with disabilities can live a full and interesting life."

With the encouragement from his parents, Hickman never adopted the "poor me" mentality.

"I think it's no different than somebody who has to deal with other types of challenges in their life," he said. He likens his missing leg to someone needing to wear glasses, or a hearing aid.

One of the things he wanted to do was the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day, 260-kilometre bike ride from Vancouver to Seattle. The marathon required intense training and his regular prosthetic wasn't cutting it. Through War Amps he received funding to have his prosthetist develop a special cycling leg. Hickman and his eight-person team raised $48,000.

Cancer has claimed not only Hickman's leg, but his father Rocco, who died of prostate cancer in 2008. This has inspired many to sponsor his team.

"A lot of people see it as inspirational. I'd just be another guy, but in this case I happen to be the guy with one leg," he said with a laugh.

His casual demeanour towards his leg carries over to those who ask about his amputation. Children are often curious about prosthetics, but can be discouraged by parents who feel their interest is rude. But Hickman said most of the time, amputees would be happy to indulge the inquisitive, in order for kids, and adults, to better understand the disability. He said confidence is something the CHAMP program gives kids.

Answering a stranger's questions actually allowed Hickman to help a woman who approached him on the ferry one day.

"I started answering questions, then I found out later she had a son that was about to go through an amputation," he said.

However, proper social etiquette is appreciated, such as not interrupting him when he's in the middle of a conversation.

"I have been known to make up a story or two about a shark attack," joked Hickman.

For Hickman, a missing leg has not been something to cause him a great deal of sadness. It hasn't always been easy, he acknowledges, but he sees his amputation as a defining moment for the better.

"I think that, had I not had a prosthetic, I don't think I would be the same person I am now."

[for the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Times, April 5, 2010]


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