Focus Magazine of SWFL Swimsuit Heat Wave | Page 99

Doing things by the need, not by the book
The Hicks family’s spiritual journey is purposeful. The mission is
to offer a service to the general public. Hicks, holds every degree,
advanced or otherwise, possible from the Home Builder’s Association. It’s a lot of hard work. The company works diligently
incorporating the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA); Certified
Aging in Place, and the Veterans Administration. He makes it a
point to put himself in the circumstance of the other person to try
to evaluate their need, if at all possible. For example, he shared a
story about receiving a call from a relative of a disabled veteran.
After going to the home, he asked if he could sit in the wheelchair in order to visually and physically ascertain what the specific
needs would be to bring comfort to the vet. “You cannot understand another man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins
– quoting “an old Native American adage.” Mr. Hicks goes as far
as to use two knee socks and two tennis balls taken from his
briefcase, placing them on his hands and walks the home to see
if he is able to open doors, turn on water faucets, or turn knobs.
The answer turns out to be an emphatic – NO! He adamantly
exclaims, “Every person has different needs. You’ll never find a
carbon copy of a human being. I don’t care how long or how hard
you look there are no two people that do the same thing, and
there are so many things that are involved with it.” He, further enquiries if the person is left or right handed, which inevitably make
a significant difference if you are forced to utilize a hand you were
not accustomed to using before a disability, which also includes
the inability to use your hands due to arthritis.
Additionally, Mr. Hicks shared that integrity, freedom, and independence are necessary key components he keeps in mind as it
relates to Cabinets Extraordinaire and his personal approach to

their life’s mission. It’s all about the client’s he serves. “You have
to refresh their integrity, give them their freedom and help to
recreate their independence. If they (dependent aging or disabled
people) are able to take a shower due to his meticulous planning,
they will take one every day because it’s more accommodating.
The Veteran’s Administration calls Hicks with special needs clients
in mind, and Mr. Hicks figuratively answers the call. “You can
never harvest a product if you didn’t sow the seeds. You’re only
going to reap what you sow.” Hicks just remodel a vet’s home that
was in dire need of repairs and modifications. It was a tear down
job which included a new kitchen and bathroom renovation – a
$60,000 value, at no charge to the vet. “It’s not about the dollar.
It’s about the service,” he said proudly. “When people are appreciated they do very well regardless of the challenges.”
A successful man gives from his heart and with sincerity in servicing the community. This is not just once a year when he assumes
the role as the “original Santi Claus for 150 disabled kids at Christmas,” he really did say “Santi Claus,” he gives of himself freely
and willingly throughout the year.
As a child in Southern Virginia, inspired by his grandmother, his
everything, Mr. Hicks wanted to be a country doctor. Instead, he
stuck with where his heart guided him. Just as one might imagine he has the inclination of a country doctor giving at all times to
those in need. Mr. Hicks seems to have mastered the measure of
a successful man, indeed.

941-378-3258
www.wphicks.com

FOCUS of SWFL 2014 99