Tom is legally blind with Optic Disc Hypoplasia, along with irreversibly depressed acuity. The right and left eyes are under 10 degree central acuity with a Acuity of OD 20/125; OS: 20/250 along with diabetic retinopathy.

Tom went toLeader Dogs for the Blindin May of 2010 and was paired up with Bubba. Since then they have teamed up and started walking many miles to get in shape. Tom has gone from a size 48 pants to 36 pants, went from a 4X to a loose fitting 2X, and has figured he has been walking over 160 miles of face-pace stepping per month since they teamed up together.

Tom loves writing short stories, and drawing cartoons. As a published cartoonist, Tom enjoys making people laugh, and even at his own expense. He has found a true love in a animal, not only does he love his dog unconditionally, but he gets unconditional love back.

Tom enjoys singing southern gospel music, he has spent ten years with the Beardsmen Quartet, as their bass vocalist. Currently Tom is singing in his Church Choir, and has done back-ups with Jon Smith, Aaron Kyle, Vince Stillman, and recently with Kristy Dephnise.

Bubba is a three year old service animal extremely well trained for a visually impaired person from the Leader Dogs for the Blind, located in Rochester, Michigan. Tom teamed up with Bubba on May 2, 2010 and spent 26 days at the school in Rochester, Michigan working, learning, and having a blast with other students, staff and Bubba.

To give you a couple chuckles.. The one thing they do teach you.. LISTEN TO YOUR DOG! and guess what, I should have. I was in the local lumber store one day and thinking I knew where and what was going on around me. I told Bubba to turn left, he refused (this is called learning to disobey when needed) I thought I knew or could see enough to get by so I dropped the harness and turned left all on my own.. I turned right into a 2x4 knocking out the lower front tooth in my mouth. the clerk said "Your dog just sat down and looked up at you like.. ya dumb fool.." I should of listened..