Maja Kazazic | Bosnian Genocide Survivor, Entrepreneur and Mental Health Advocate

Maja Kazazic

Bosnian Genocide Survivor, Entrepreneur and Mental Health Advocate

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Palm Harbor, FL

Maja Kazazic
Biography

When she was 16 years old, Maja Kazazic's life changed forever. In the summer of 1993, two years into the Bosnian War – a genocide that killed 250,000 people and injured millions - a rocket propelled grenade exploded in her courtyard destroying her home and killing five of her friends. Her legs were shattered in the blast, and her face and arm were peppered with shrapnel.

Maja was treated in a local makeshift basement hospital that lacked medical supplies and antibiotics. Her left leg became infected and over the next couple of months flesh was cut from her leg until she eventually underwent an amputation – all without the benefit of anesthesia. 

Kazazic lay close to death when she was selected to be one of three children evacuated for treatment. She left her home and her family with only a teddy bear, a t-shirt and a rock. As people in Maja's new hometown of Cumberland, Maryland learned of her story, the community volunteered their time, money, and effort to make her whole again. 

Maja was determined to succeed; she had the will to overcome any obstacle. Despite the challenges presented to her as a below-the-knee amputee, she was able to build a new life beyond anyone’s expectations. She learned how to walk again, finished high school and college, and eventually started a very successful software company whose clients included Fortune 100 companies. She has since learned to windsurf, play tennis and golf, and even run. She completed her first 5K in 2009.

As a result of the tragedy she endured, Maja was left with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which left her living through constant panic attacks and night terrors, rendering her unable to function at times. On the recommendation of her clinician, Maja adopted Rosie, an amputee Great Dane, and they have been an inseparable pair ever since. With Rosie’s help, Kazazic's PTSD symptoms have abated. Kazazic and Rosie have given hope and inspiration to countless people with limb loss and those struggling with adjustment and depression. 

Kazazic has been featured in Reader's Digest, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s World, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CTV, BBC News, and on the Discovery Health Network.
 

Maja Kazazic
Featured Video

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Maja Kazazic
Featured Keynote Programs

A Mile In My Shoes
The Power Of Empathy

In this keynote address Maja helps attendees harness the power of empathy to teach corporations how to cultivate and build positive and healthy work environments that thrive on teamwork—how to become better leaders, and create and foster healthy and meaningful relationships with coworkers, employees, and customers. The tools learned during this keynote are easily applicable to personal relationships.

Turn Obstacles Into Advantages

Maja was ecstatic when she got her first prosthetic leg, but she was shocked to realize that she forgot how to walk. So she had to re-learn first with a walker, then crutches, then cane. No matter what we do in life or in business we will face obstacles and failures, but the key is to get up, learn from our experiences, improve each time and implement our knowledge to reach any goal!

Extra Effort Leads To Loyalty

On her Lufthansa flight to a speaking engagement Maja needed privacy to accommodate her injuries. She realized that the gate agent went an extra mile and upgraded her to first class. Often, it doesn't take too much extra effort to serve our customers better which can result in lifetime benefits, business, and loyalty otherwise we wouldn't be able to get.

Change = Growth

Maja's childhood dream was to become a professional athlete - that all changed when she lost her leg. Instead of fighting it, Maja embraced the change. This inevitable change led to Maja motivating and inspiring people around the globe. It is only when we embrace the change do we experience growth and reach heights that often change the world.

Maja Kazazic
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