Page 14 November 2014 By Katie Mayer The grinding sound of skateboard wheels against pavement and the clicks and clacks of riders’ tricks echoed off the concrete skate park walls while Ian Parkinson carefully stepped onto his board. The Arcadia native leaned over to position himself, and then took off down the ramp. He built momentum and raced up a quarter pipe, before stalling on the coping and sailing back down again. With his athletic build and coordination, the 24-year-old looked like any other experienced skateboarder riding at the Wedge Skate Park in Scottsdale. But there was one major difference – Parkinson has no legs. While serving in Afghanistan in 2011, the retired U.S. Army sergeant survived a 60-pound improvised explosive device blast directly below his feet. The explosion shattered his arm, cracked his pelvis and destroyed his legs – but didn’t break his spirit. After nearly 30 surgeries and hours of practice, the avid skateboarder is riding again and learning new tricks every week. His friend and fellow skateboarder R.J. Galloway is fi lming his progress. Galloway recalls, “When he came back, I was like, ‘What do you want to do?’” And according to Galloway, Parkinson’s exact words were, “Let’s go skate.” Growing up in Arcadia, Parkinson became so skilled at skateboarding that he once received a sponsorship. “Learning to ride again was a very incremental process,” Parkinson said. “I had to fi rst learn to stand without falling and it was tough because I mentally wanted to do so much more.” As a child, Parkinson knew that one day he would either skate professionally or join the U.S. Army. “My mom tried to push me away from joining the military,” Parkinson said. So after graduating from Arcadia High School in 2008, Parkinson kept a promise to his parents and gave college a try. He attended Scottsdale Community College, but couldn’t shake his dream of joining the Army. Continued on page 15 Retired U.S. Army sergeant skates his way to recovery Army veteran Ian Parkinson spins his wheels at the Wedge Skate Park in Scottsdale. • Certifi cate in Travel Health Medicine • Recognized as one of Conde Traveler Magazine’s Top U.S. Travel Health Specialists Medical Director: David Francyk, D.O. Eileen Klecka, R.N. Flu Shots without preservatives available now! Family Practice Specialists 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Suite F-100 Phoenix, AZ 85018 Phone: 602-955-8700 Website: www.travelshots.net Email: travelshots@cox.net Daniel J. Siegel Daniel J. Siegel, P.C. Attorney at Law 1617 E. Pinchot, Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-274-1099 • dan@danieljsiegelpc.com www.ARIZONADIVORCELAWYER.com Arizona State Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law Celebrating 20 Years Practicing Law “I got horrible grades,” he said with a laugh. Finally, in 2009, after years of talking with U.S. Army recruiters, Parkinson enlisted and began basic and specialized infantry training. He then spent a one-year tour in South Korea, and in March 2011, was deployed to Afghanistan serving in the 10th Mountain Division. “I did everything I could to get there,” Parkinson said of being deployed to a combat zone. But after just three months, Parkinson’s military career was cut tragically short. “Our outpost had been attacked that morning, but then we went out like it was any other day,” he said. “It was supposed to be a two-hour patrol, but after about fi ve hours, we headed back to base.” As Parkinson and his team were walking down a road in a single- fi le line, he intercepted an enemy transmission. Moments later, the ground erupted around him. “There was so much noise and light,” he said. “I fl ew up into the air and my mind was racing.” He added, “The second I hit the ground, I just went through the motions – Am I alive? Am I hurt? I didn’t know how badly I was hurt.” In the middle of the chaos, Parkinson heard his lieutenant shout, “IED!” Then he heard the medic yell, “I have a double amputee!” “I knew that was me,” Parkinson said. The soldier was taken to an area hospital before fl ying to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for months of surgery and rehab. “My fi rst thought was ‘Bummer, I don’t want to leave my friends’ and I thought of my fi ancé and my family,” he said. In October 2011, Parkinson married his high school sweetheart, Ashley, in a simple military wedding. Last month, the pair held a formal ceremony in Chandler. “She is loyal, loving and caring,” Parkinson said. “There are days when she needs to lift my wheel chair in and out of the car, come to medical appointments and wait through surgeries.”

Page 15 November 2 0 14 Skateboard Continued from page 14 d on page 15 Today, Parkinson is back at Scottsdale Community College – this time earning straight As. He’s working toward a degree in computer science and will transfer to ASU next semester. He also started his own freelance Web development company and is speaking at various community events. “I don’t know anyone who has made the transition [to living without legs] and said it has been a piece of cake,” Parkinson said, “but regardless of what anyone says about the VA [Department of Veterans Affairs], they have been fantastic.” For the optimistic veteran, some days are challenges and sometimes there are setbacks in his progress, but he doesn’t let it bring him down for very long. “You go to war and see the worst of our species, how could you come back and not enjoy a beautiful day or time with family?” In fact, Parkinson said if he had to do it all over again, he still would. But he doesn’t want to be called a hero. “It’s like that saying, ‘All gave some, some gave all,’” Parkinson said. “I’m not a hero, just for joining.” But to those who know him, follow his story and hear him speak, he most certainly is a hero. And to the skateboarders who regularly see him at The Wedge Skate Park, he is undoubtedly an inspiration. “He’s one of a kind,” Galloway said. “It’s a pretty traumatic situation and he is extremely humble.” As Parkinson and Galloway pick up their boards to skate on a recent October day, the two friends join a small group of other skaters in the park. One female rider smiles and waves as she whizzes by on her board. Parkinson smiles and waves back, before once again taking off down the ramp. Like the other skaters in the park, he occasionally falls down while trying a trick. But like the brave soldier he is, he doesn’t let it keep him there. “When I first came to the skate park it was pretty intimidating,” Parkinson said. “Now they’ll stop and say, ‘Hey, that’s really cool what you’re doing.’ They’re really supportive.” To watch a video about Ian Parkinson or to make a donation to support education and employment for veterans, visit see4vets.org. Parkinson is a hero to many, especially at the skate park where his smile and enthusiasm are contagious. Maybe YOUR home is the next... Contact editor@arcadianews.com Follow us on J V MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR AND U.S.M.C. VET “As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, I was committed to serving our Country. Now I am committed to serving You!” Jimmy lives in, and serves the Arcadia Neighborhood. He’ll treat your family just like his own. www.VALoansForVets.com www.JimmyVercellino.com Offi ce: 602-908-5849 Email: jimmyv@fcbmtg.com NMLS #184169 First Choice Loan Services Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Choice Bank (First Choice Bank NMLS # 177877, First Choice Loan Services Inc. NMLS # 210764) located at One Tower Center, Floor #18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is registered or exempt from state licensing in the states it originates mortgage loans. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is not an agency of the federal government and is not affi liated with your current lender. All loans are subject to credit approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are current, but are subject to change and may expire without notice. Other restrictions may apply. All applications must be submitted in writing. This advertisement is not a loan disclosure and all disclosures provided after applying should be reviewed carefully. This is not a commitment to provide a loan approval or a specifi c interest rate. 7702 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 220, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. 8.11.2014 • Conventional • Jumbo • FHA • VA Home Loans