You can learn about me on tmazanec1.xepher.net
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Hello everybody
-
Tom Mazanec
- Posts: 4189
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:13 pm
Hello everybody
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
-
Tom Mazanec
- Posts: 4189
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:13 pm
Re: Hello everybody
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
Re: Hello everybody
That's a nice article ...
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.a ... ryid=97116
Almost 50 years old and diagnosed with autism
Bill Safos
CLEVELAND -- After four decades a Cleveland man has what he always
hoped for, an explanation.
He lived his life plagued by an unknown challenge. Now he faces it
head on as he talks about living with Asperger's Syndrome.
Those who know Thomas Mazanec know he is nothing short of brilliant.
It's a far cry from what the once reserved 50 year old was called
growing up.
"My nickname at school was the 'retard'," said Mazanec.
School was never easy but Tom never gave up. Instead he kept up and
made it into Case Western Reserve University.
"I did fairly well in college, in Astronomy," said Mazanec.
He earned his first bachelor's degree in Astronomy. However when he
would get a job, he would quickly lose it. That's when he changed
fields and went back to school.
"So I got a second Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information
Science," said Mazanec
Once again hanging on to his good job was impossible. He searched for
a reason and saw may different doctors. Like during his childhood,
doctors never could help.
"I've been diagnosed as just about everything under the sun so I had
given up on psychiatry," said Tom.
Without a reason to explain some of his behavior, he lost job after
job.
"Then for a period in the 90's, I wasn't working."
Jobs were scarce but Tom kept looking.
"I felt worthless to society," said Mazanec.
Even so he kept trying to find work. Tom, with two degrees was
desperate, but not done.
He saw an advertisement for a janitor at a rooming house, Brendan
Manor, a home for challenged but gifted people. He was so eager to
work, that this brilliant mind was not above making floors shine. His
boss was very pleased with his work but saw so much potential. With a
full time job and health insurance, his boss suggested he go see a
psychiatrist.
"For two reasons, I decided to take her up on the offer. She had
become my best friend and she was my boss and I weigh suggestions from
her heavily," said Mazanec.
"Two, I'm a science fiction fan...I believe in scientific progress and
I figured maybe something had changed by now," said Tom.
He went to the doctor and go the best news he's ever heard.
"He diagnosed me with Asperger's. I looked it up on the web and
thought that's me," said Mazanec.
"Once he was diagnosed with Asperger's it was like a different Tom,"
said Diane Kalchert.
Kalchert is the Executive Director of Brendan Manor.
"He began to realize that he was worth while and that he does have
gifts and talents," said Kalchert.
She urged him to share one talent in particular, talking to others
about how he overcomes the barriers set before him by his disorder.
For Mazanec it's just one more job he does with great pride.
"One of Tom's gifts is to be able to talk about Asperger's and to
share it with people in the larger community," said Kalchert.
His words are uplifting. Those who hear them don't walk away with the
story of a tortured man but with great hope that they too can
understand this disorder and overcome what is before them.
"My self respect and my dignity are back," said Tom.
His boss, couldn't be happier and doesn't just use the word brilliant
to describe Tom. She also says he is the;
"Perfect example of hope," said Kalchert.
© 2008 WKYC-TV
mamz1 wrote:
Hi Tom, I said a prayer for you today and am so happy that you have
finally found answers. You are a good man. Love your cousin Michele
(Ricky Mazanec's sister). God bless!
9/24/2008 11:27 AM EDT on wkyc.com
reena6 wrote:
This is only one example of the wonderful people associated with and
in residence at Brendan Manor. This was not mentioned in the article,
but Brendan Manor operates on the generous donations of people and
businesses in the community. Please consider donating so these
marvelous individuals may continue to live independently.
9/24/2008 11:09 AM EDT on wkyc.com
Recommend
DHurtuk wrote:
Tom is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. He exemplifies what
is good in this world. Thank you for sharing your story, Tom.
Love, Jen & Dave from St. Dominic
9/23/2008 3:15 PM EDT on wkyc.com
bigdaddykane wrote:
amazing story good luck to you Tom.
9/23/2008 11:40 AM EDT on wkyc.com
Retro1955 wrote:
Hi Tom!
I am so proud of you! This is a wonderful article about you!
Now everyone knows why you are so special to us!
Love, Your cousin Barb
9/23/2008 10:09 AM EDT on wkyc.com
ccie44116 wrote:
This man is a shining example of what hard work will do for you.
Congratulations Tom I wish all the best.
9/23/2008 8:58 AM EDT on wkyc.com
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.a ... ryid=97116
Almost 50 years old and diagnosed with autism
Bill Safos
CLEVELAND -- After four decades a Cleveland man has what he always
hoped for, an explanation.
He lived his life plagued by an unknown challenge. Now he faces it
head on as he talks about living with Asperger's Syndrome.
Those who know Thomas Mazanec know he is nothing short of brilliant.
It's a far cry from what the once reserved 50 year old was called
growing up.
"My nickname at school was the 'retard'," said Mazanec.
School was never easy but Tom never gave up. Instead he kept up and
made it into Case Western Reserve University.
"I did fairly well in college, in Astronomy," said Mazanec.
He earned his first bachelor's degree in Astronomy. However when he
would get a job, he would quickly lose it. That's when he changed
fields and went back to school.
"So I got a second Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information
Science," said Mazanec
Once again hanging on to his good job was impossible. He searched for
a reason and saw may different doctors. Like during his childhood,
doctors never could help.
"I've been diagnosed as just about everything under the sun so I had
given up on psychiatry," said Tom.
Without a reason to explain some of his behavior, he lost job after
job.
"Then for a period in the 90's, I wasn't working."
Jobs were scarce but Tom kept looking.
"I felt worthless to society," said Mazanec.
Even so he kept trying to find work. Tom, with two degrees was
desperate, but not done.
He saw an advertisement for a janitor at a rooming house, Brendan
Manor, a home for challenged but gifted people. He was so eager to
work, that this brilliant mind was not above making floors shine. His
boss was very pleased with his work but saw so much potential. With a
full time job and health insurance, his boss suggested he go see a
psychiatrist.
"For two reasons, I decided to take her up on the offer. She had
become my best friend and she was my boss and I weigh suggestions from
her heavily," said Mazanec.
"Two, I'm a science fiction fan...I believe in scientific progress and
I figured maybe something had changed by now," said Tom.
He went to the doctor and go the best news he's ever heard.
"He diagnosed me with Asperger's. I looked it up on the web and
thought that's me," said Mazanec.
"Once he was diagnosed with Asperger's it was like a different Tom,"
said Diane Kalchert.
Kalchert is the Executive Director of Brendan Manor.
"He began to realize that he was worth while and that he does have
gifts and talents," said Kalchert.
She urged him to share one talent in particular, talking to others
about how he overcomes the barriers set before him by his disorder.
For Mazanec it's just one more job he does with great pride.
"One of Tom's gifts is to be able to talk about Asperger's and to
share it with people in the larger community," said Kalchert.
His words are uplifting. Those who hear them don't walk away with the
story of a tortured man but with great hope that they too can
understand this disorder and overcome what is before them.
"My self respect and my dignity are back," said Tom.
His boss, couldn't be happier and doesn't just use the word brilliant
to describe Tom. She also says he is the;
"Perfect example of hope," said Kalchert.
© 2008 WKYC-TV
mamz1 wrote:
Hi Tom, I said a prayer for you today and am so happy that you have
finally found answers. You are a good man. Love your cousin Michele
(Ricky Mazanec's sister). God bless!
9/24/2008 11:27 AM EDT on wkyc.com
reena6 wrote:
This is only one example of the wonderful people associated with and
in residence at Brendan Manor. This was not mentioned in the article,
but Brendan Manor operates on the generous donations of people and
businesses in the community. Please consider donating so these
marvelous individuals may continue to live independently.
9/24/2008 11:09 AM EDT on wkyc.com
Recommend
DHurtuk wrote:
Tom is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. He exemplifies what
is good in this world. Thank you for sharing your story, Tom.
Love, Jen & Dave from St. Dominic
9/23/2008 3:15 PM EDT on wkyc.com
bigdaddykane wrote:
amazing story good luck to you Tom.
9/23/2008 11:40 AM EDT on wkyc.com
Retro1955 wrote:
Hi Tom!
I am so proud of you! This is a wonderful article about you!
Now everyone knows why you are so special to us!
Love, Your cousin Barb
9/23/2008 10:09 AM EDT on wkyc.com
ccie44116 wrote:
This man is a shining example of what hard work will do for you.
Congratulations Tom I wish all the best.
9/23/2008 8:58 AM EDT on wkyc.com
-
Tom Mazanec
- Posts: 4189
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:13 pm
Re: Hello everybody
Brace yourself when you talk to a reporter:
1) I never had a job in Astronomy. My BS came with a 2.8 GPA, which boded ill for my chances of an MS, much less a PhD, which you need for an Astronomy job. My second BS was a 3.0 GPA (at a top university for computers, BTW), which let me get (but not keep) the jobs I had till Brendan Manor...and
2) I did not come across an add for janitor. I heard about Brendan Manor in a job seeking group.
Quibbles, I know, but I just wanted to set the record straight.
1) I never had a job in Astronomy. My BS came with a 2.8 GPA, which boded ill for my chances of an MS, much less a PhD, which you need for an Astronomy job. My second BS was a 3.0 GPA (at a top university for computers, BTW), which let me get (but not keep) the jobs I had till Brendan Manor...and
2) I did not come across an add for janitor. I heard about Brendan Manor in a job seeking group.
Quibbles, I know, but I just wanted to set the record straight.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
-
Tom Mazanec
- Posts: 4189
- Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:13 pm
Re: Hello everybody
Bump.
It's been a baker's dozen years, so try my website again.
It's been a baker's dozen years, so try my website again.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
― G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain
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