This is John Mason (JT). He is a 13-year-old boy who was very active in sports such as basketball, football, and outdoor activities. For Christmas in 2023, his parents John and Latoya got him a new dirt bike. He was so excited and loved to ride it. I will never forget the excitement that JT's dad had in his face and voice when he told us that he purchased the dirt bike for him. JT didn't have long to enjoy and ride that dirt bike once he received it for Christmas. In January, 2024, JT complained of back and chest pain to his parents. They took him to the doctor and his symptoms were diagnosed as muscle inflammation due to all of the sports that JT plays. The pain in JT's chest and back continued to get worse, so as any parent would, they took him to the ER. There he was diagnosed with COVID like symptoms and sent home. Not long after, JT woke up paralyzed. John and Latoya rushed their son to the ER again. This time, they finally got answers but not the answer that any parent wanted to receive. The hospital found an Astrocytoma Intramedullary Tumor compressing on JT's spine. The surgery for removal was successful at this time. JT has been in ongoing therapy but due to the nature of the tumor affecting his nerves, he is struggling to walk again due to nerve loss/damage. JT pushes himself to be able to walk again and wants nothing more than to be that teenage boy out there riding his dirt bike, playing sports, and most importantly he just wants to be a kid doing kid things. JT's mom, Latoya, has had to take a leave of absence from her job due to JT needing around the clock care. JT's dad, John, continues to work from sun up to sun down while going to appointments with his son. Recently, JT had a follow up MRI completed to check to make sure everything was still moving forward in a positive way. My heart breaks to say that the tumor has come back and now JT is going through proton therapy.

The Mason's have become part of our family over the years. John has been a customer of my husband's for many years in the pressure washing industry. They are the most inspirational, caring, and loving family. John is that guy who is always willing to help out the new guys in the pressure washing industry. I truly believe that this industry sticks together when one of our own are in need. And at this time, The Mason's need our help more than ever. They are doing whatever it takes to keep their son strong and to keep his willingness to beat this and to walk again. We all know how difficult it is to get the medical help that is needed. If things couldn't get any worse for this family, their oldest son was recently taken from them in a tragic accident where he lost his life. So with their permission, I am setting up this account to help them pay for medical bills, equipment, etc. All proceeds go directly to an account that the Mason's have set up specifically for JT's expenses.