Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Hernandez Pumarejo.
Tony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Antonio “Tony” Hernandez Pumarejo. I was born and raised in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on March 3, 1990, now residing in Orlando, Florida. I was first diagnosed with at age four with Autism. As a person with Autism I went through different challenges that are common with others that have Autism, but, also I went to challenges and situation that are usual for a person with Autism. Some of the most common challenges of Autism that I dealt and still dealing to this day are the following: non-verbal until age 4th, struggles with social communication and making long lasting friendships with other people, depression, anxiety, repetitive behavior and struggles with frequent changes.
In addition, I went through different tough situations that impacted my life in all areas. For example, due to my struggles with communication, I went through a lot of social rejection and different types of bullying in school. Also, was struggling in keeping a job, working in the area of customer service, an area not recommended for a person with Autism. Despite the struggles, challenges and situations, there have also been good things in my life, like my hobbies. Some of those hobbies helped me to survive in life, like: arts, videogames, nature, wrestling and becoming a lifelong Star Wars fan. After years of struggling and surviving, I was able to eventually graduate with my bachelor’s degree in Business and Information Management from Seminole State College with a 3.6 GPA. At the graduation, I was recognized by the college president as a graduate with Autism.
Today, I work full time as manager in customer service and sales, writer and author of my book “An Autism Unscripted Life”, public speaker and being a TV collaborator/presenter with Univision Orlando at their program Despierta Orlando every Thursday. What helped to survive life’s challenges is perseverance and not giving up. Not matter what, each individual with Autism have a purpose in the World and my job as an advocate for the community is to advocate for them in society.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a tough road. Some of the challenges that I went through are the following: verbal impairment issues, social communication, short term working memory issues and struggles with relationship building with people, depression and anxiety.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I am a TV collaborator with Despierta Orlando on Univision Orlando. I have my own segment every Thursday. I am also author and writer of the book “An Autism Unscripted Life” (Una Vida Autista Sin Libreto), which talks about my life in the Autism spectrum from childhood to adulthood. Also, I do speak engagements as motivational speaker and also I talk about topics that impact the Autism community and mental health. But, my most important job in life is to be an advocate for people that have been impacted by Autism in the World.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
First, I give credit and recognize God, because without him, I will not be here right now. Then, I give credit to the two most important people in my life, to my mom Evelyn Pumarejo and dad Julio Hernandez. Despite the situations and challenges that we faced, they were there and are still there for me. Very blessed to have them. I recognize some of the teachers from school life that had a long lasting impact in my life, which are the following: history teacher Ms. Iniabel Sanchez, Spanish teacher Ms. Iris Negron and my senior year teacher, Ms. Nelly Perez. Also, I give credit to my college professors Prof. Terri Walsh and Prof. Tom Walker from Seminole State College. They helped me improve my social skills and vocational skills, which were the key to not only my career, but, also my life. I also recognize Angel Sepulveda, the director of Univision Orlando and Univision Tampa Bay for giving me the opportunity of life to be on television and bring a voice to the Autism community. I recognize Donna Lorman, president of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando, Paula Breeden of the ASD Adult Achievement Center for giving me the first opportunities to work for the Autism community. And also, the entire Autism community for being my biggest supporters. Without their support, I will not be here right now. But, also, I want thank all the rest of the people that that have had an impact in my life, not only positive, but also negative too. Because of those experiences, it helped me become the person that I am today.
Contact Info:
- Email: tonyhpuma@gmail.com
- Website: www.tonyhpuma.com
- Instagram: @tony_hernandez_pumarejo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyhpuma
- Twitter: @tonyhpuma
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/TheJedimaster360
Suggest a Story: VoyageTampa is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
