HE HAS struggled all his life with a condition forcing him to walk on tiptoes. Born with short Achilles tendons, Tom Kinsley cheerfully bore years of treatment and dreamt of joining the Army. But when the condition proved a barrier to that as well, things started to spiral out of control.
Tom, 20, was only able to get his life back on track with the support of charity The Prince's Trust – and he has now been honoured with an award celebrating his progress.
"I'm naturally a very positive and happy person, but I couldn't believe it," he said. "The Army had given me structure and focus. It was everything I'd ever wanted, and then, suddenly, it was gone."
When Tom, of Hull, started to walk, his parents noticed he was on his tiptoes.
Doctors discovered he had been born with short Achilles tendons.
To stretch them out, his feet were placed in plaster 23 times in 15 years, each for a period of six weeks.
His condition meant Tom missed out on a normal childhood and teenage life.
But he put up with it, knowing he would eventually be able to walk normally and fulfil a lifetime ambition to serve his country.
When Tom enrolled on an 18-month Preparing for the Forces course, his legs were better, although he occasionally still walked on tiptoes out of habit.
Tom attended the course every day and completed all the physical requirements.
On the final day, his tutors noticed his unusual gait.
They pulled up his medical records and had to reject his application.
Tom found the end of his dream hard to cope with and, for six months, he drifted aimlessly.
"I had to help myself, or I'd go crazy," he said.
The answer came from Get Into Retail, a Prince's Trust programme helping unemployed young people learn skills to find work in the retail industry.
Throwing himself into the programme, he learned everything from customer service to health and safety and stock control.
He enjoyed the experience and was assigned a mentor by the charity when the programme ended.
He also became a Young Ambassador and was later offered a 12-month apprenticeship in customer services with a recruitment agency.
Feeling positive again, Tom is now training to become a police officer – or if his condition prevents it, he is obtaining a plumbing qualification.
"As long as I have a skill and a trade and a practical job that's full of activity, I'll be happy," he said.
The icing on the cake came when he was one of three people from across Yorkshire to be shortlisted for Young Achiever of the Year at The Prince's Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards.
Tom was named runner-up during a ceremony at the Howard Assembly Rooms in Leeds.
The awards recognise young people who have struggled through difficulties to transform their lives.
Their stories are used to inspire others to strive for success.
Andy Griffiths, managing director of Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, said: "Huge congratulations to all of the young people recognised at today's award ceremony for proving that it is possible to succeed against the odds.
"On behalf of all at Samsung, I would like to congratulate Tom for being honoured in this way and for inspiring other young people to seek the help they need to get their lives back on track."
The awards honour the achievements of disadvantaged young people supported by the trust who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on the community.
They are now supported by a partnership with Samsung.
Now in its second year, it is seeing the phone company work with the trust to introduce technology initiatives.
Their centre in Kennington is to feature a Samsung Digital Classroom aimed at enhancing the learning environment for young people.
The trust gives disadvantaged young people the skills and confidence to find a job.
Three in four young people it helps move into work, training or education.
For Tom, it was the perfect boost, pulling him back on track and making him realise there were still second chances.
"The Prince's Trust has helped me define my future," he said.
