Padgett, J: Struck by Genius

Jason Padgett had struggled as a student and has spent his professional life working at his father's shop, Planet Futon. Following a mugging outside a bar in 2002 he became agoraphobic and during that time at home he developed an unprecedented passion for learning. A chance encounter in a mall with a university physicist encouraged him to return to college where his genius is discovered, particularly his unique ability to hand draw mathematical fractals. He has Acquired Savant Syndrome and synesthesia and is believed to be unique. Maureen Seaberg is a science journalist, and as a synesthete herself focuses on writing about synesthesia. She met Jason as a result of Google alert on the subject and introduced him to the neuroscientist that diagnosed his condition.