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A man who was born with only half of a body isn’t letting his disability get in the way of life.
Tim Mason, born without legs and one arm, says he’s living life to the fullest — and independently, as he loves to spend time walking his dog, dancing and cooking.
Russian-born Mason was told by doctors that his mother was exposed to high levels of radiation from the infamous Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, resulting in his condition.
At age 3, Mason was adopted by retired non-profit CEO Virginia Mason, who visited Russia after reading about Tim — and from the moment they met, the now-80-year-old knew that she wanted to be his mother.
When Mason was 7, his adoptive mother lost her partner, and continued to raise her adoptive son as a single parent.
“She was very happy to find me,” said Mason. “She knew I would be fine as I looked over and made fish faces at her.”
Mason, now 25, said he has thrived in the US.
“I went to elementary school and I just skyrocketed,” he recalled. “I was really active and always played on the playground.”
According to Mason, he was given prosthetic limbs and a walker, though he preferred not to use the medical devices.
“I really didn’t like them, they weren’t me,” said Mason. “I wanted to be myself without them.”
He also reports he was able to make friends with ease until he hit middle school, which was a struggle for him.
“One thing that has been limited is forming relationships,” said Mason. “Growing up was like a rollercoaster.”
“Middle and high school is when I started to notice the impacts my disabilities have on making friends,” he continued. “I would get asked, ‘Who would even date you?’”
Mason said that he was able to get through those tough years by surrounding himself with loving friends and family. “There is a lot of doubt in what I can do,” he said. “It can be discouraging.”
“But I am here and making it through. I have seen so many positive comments and it means the world to me,” he added.
Mason says that he now focuses on things that make him happy, showing people that “life is as normal as he makes it.”
“I really strive to prove people wrong so a lot of my hobbies have come from that,” he said. “People thought I wouldn’t be able to take care of a dog but he is my best friend.”
The young adult now resides in Hartford, Connecticut — independently — and has started a fitness routine that has positively impacted his life.
“I use the treadmill for about 10 [to] 30 minutes and I do my own version of weight-lifting and crunches,” he said, adding that he “lost 40 pounds in 2021.”
Mason’s next big adventure: falling in love.
“Dating is hard in this generation, people see disabilities on your online profiles and base you off that,” Mason said. “They don’t see the powerful person I see.”
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