(661) 313-3323 tom@thomasiland.com

It was Benjamin Franklin that said there are two certainties in this world: death and taxes.  When I was a young boy, I wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals, but after nearly passing out from the smell of formaldehyde during a frog dissection in junior high school, I found that I would not be very happy dealing with death.  As a result, I switched my focus to my strength in math and numbers.  As I grew up, I wanted to become, and did become, a certified public accountant (CPA) because everyone needs someone to count their money and do their taxes, right?  However, as my career progressed, I thought more and more about my future and the legacy that I want to leave behind when I inevitably die.  About four years after getting my CPA license, I had an epiphany…I don’t want to die doing taxes.

This brings me to the creation of this website and what I hope will be the start of my legacy that I leave behind for present and future generations to see.  For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to help people.  Those that I really want to help, those that likely need it most and those I will more likely than not find the most fulfillment in helping are those in the autism community.  Whether it be the individuals with autism themselves, their families, friends, educators, employers, etc., I have a message to share with the world and I am looking to meet and speak with those that wish to hear it.  I have already given a number of speeches to students, teachers, school administrators, and even police officers on the signs of autism.  I love hearing when my speeches impact people’s lives or even help save them.  One recent instance involved police officers that, literally hours after hearing one of my speeches, encountered an individual with autism on the streets and knew exactly what to look for in this person and handled the situation very well.

Ben Franklin was right about death and taxes being certainties in this world.  I believe there is another certainty in this world that I wish to bring out in those that I meet: personal development.  I will talk more about this in my next blog…

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Thomas Iland
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