Challenges.

Thursday, May 17, 2001

Challenges. Life is full of challenges for all of us.

Some people try and avoid them and others face them head on.

Austin native Pam Bryzinski is one of those souls who has experienced a life full of adversity.

Bryzinski has had muscular dystrophy all her life; she was diagnosed with it at age 5. She is confined to a wheelchair.

On Friday, Bryzinski reaches a major goal in her life when she graduates from Riverland Community College with an associate of science degree in human services.

"I quit school at age 17," she explained. "I got married and had two children. I ended up being a single mother. I got my G.E.D. when I was in my 30s, in 1991. I decided to go back to school when I was doing volunteer work for Mower County Council for the Handicapped. I saw I needed more knowledge to work with people."

She set goals for herself and started college in 1996. Her biggest fear was not that she couldn’t accomplish her goals, but that she was too old. But she saw Riverland in a different light once she started going to school.

"To me, the faculty at Riverland and the students became my family," Bryzinski said. "The atmosphere was homey. I got along with everyone."

Bryzinski was picked up by Heartland Express everyday and transported to campus. She took a few classes in Albert Lea during the five years and was picked up by students from Austin attending the same class. While she liked all her teachers, the one who inspired her the most was Al Mayotte.

"He was just so neat," Bryzinski recalled. "I became stressed going to school and taking his stress and management class really helped me handle things better."

Right now, Bryzinski facilitates a women with debility group. She holds the meetings at Prairie Sky Apartments, where she lives. She helps the women in the group with self-esteem, depression and other issues that may affect their lives.

Bryzinski has two children, Scott and Melissa, and seven grandchildren ranging from 5 weeks to 11 years old. Her family is very proud of her accomplishments. Her grandchildren say it’s not fair grandma is done with school when they have to keep going.

Bryzinski’s advice to others considering going back to school is to make sure it is really what you want to do and set a goal for yourself. She is grateful to all the help she had on the way to achieving her degree and thanks Heartland Express, her family, the faculty and counselors at Riverland.

"I couldn’t have done this on my own without everyone’s help," Bryzinski said. "Education is very important nowadays. I can’t change the past, in how I quit school, but I can change the present and the future. Being successful depends on the goals one sets. A person has to be realistic, but still there is always a way."

Call Sheila Donnelly at 434-2214 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.