At first glance, you cannot tell that Brett Mann has a
disability. Brett was born on April 14, 1971 with double pneumonia that led to
lung failure just hours after his arrival into this world. As he lost oxygen, he
suffered brain damage that destroyed a lot of his short-term memory. “I am just
thankful God wanted me here and I am alive today because of Him,” said Brett.
Brett also grew up with a severe limp, although today you can hardly see it. “I
had to work extra hard to get where I am today. People made fun of me growing up
and would tell me that I would never make anything of myself, never finish high
school or go to college. But I love proving people wrong,” and he did. After
high school graduation Brett attended one year of college at the University of
Louisiana, Lafayette. “I wanted to prove to everyone and to myself that I could
do it if I tried hard enough. Giving up was never an option-it takes me a lot
longer to learn new things, work machinery etc. Your disability only holds you
back as much as you let it. For instance, it took me two years to learn to drive
a car, but I wasn’t going to give up.”
It is because of Brett’s tenacity that he never let his disability get him down
or keep him from trying to reach his goals. Today he is married with two
children and just finished building his first home. “I’m so blessed to have
these opportunities that God has given me, and I don’t ever take for granted how
hard it was to get where I am today.” Brett joined NRCS in 1992 working at the
Crowley Watershed as a WAE.
By 1995, Brett moved down to Galliano where he worked at the Plant Materials
Center (PMC) as a Biological Science Technician Aid until 2002. Brett’s main
duty consisted of maintaining greenhouse facilities, to include plant weed care,
building maintenance and organization.
In 2002, Brett had the opportunity to apply for Mail Clerk at
the State Office in Alexandria and he got the job. “It’s hard to learn new
things, but I won’t let that stop me. I work with some of the greatest people
here at the NRCS, and my co-workers are always willing to lend me a helping
hand.” When asked what he likes best about his current position at the NRCS,
Brett said,
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Brett Mann, Mailroom Clerk |
“I like helping people, I get a lot of satisfaction when I feel I have helped
someone, whether it’s loading boxes, sending out the mail, or cleaning vehicles,
I always try to do my very best. I’m very passionate about doing a job and doing
it well-that’s how I was taught.”
Brett has had his challenges, and has had to work double to get
where he is, but he would not trade a minute of it. “I’ve never felt sorry for
myself; I can do anything anyone else can do, although it might take me a little
bit longer.” Brett has always loved the outdoors, and his hobbies include
hunting and fishing with his dad and friends. He also likes to do yard work and
play soccer with his children-anything that will lead him to the outdoors. “I
love my job at the NRCS and I love the people I work with- I wouldn’t trade it
for the world!”
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