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Kristyn Mason

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Finalist

Education

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Master's degree program
2024 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Social Work

University of Toledo

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Social Work

Owens Community College

Associate's degree program
2020 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Social Work
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Social Work
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Mental Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Public services

      • Advocacy

        NWO LGBTQ+ Coalition — Secretary of Healthcare commitee
        2022 – Present
      • Advocacy

        Equality Toledo — Intern
        2024 – Present
      Disability in Social Work Scholarship
      My name is Kristyn Mason, and as a child, at 11 years old, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Polyarticular Arthritis, which shattered my world and goals of being a basketball player. As the years went on and the condition worsened, more of the dreams I had shifted, each with a period of grief and acceptance along the way. With having a chronic, unpredictable, yet progressively debilitating disease, there is a continuous acceptance that presents throughout life. Now, as a 38-year-old single parent pursuing my Masters in Social Work, I have found I bring incredible lived experience as well as learned. I have been by these events and experiences given a unique perspective and level of relatability with others who may find themselves navigating a world they did not foresee or wish for. The disability status I have now is something I have not been and hope never to be limited by. I see it as information, not restriction. This thinking has brought me to where I am today and further increased my resiliency. With my experience navigating the world as I have, I find myself pursuing social work with the desire to incorporate art, nature, and animal-assisted therapies into my work. I want to offer holistic approaches that honor a person's journey and recognize the interconnectedness within their physical body, the environment in which they live, and their spiritual practices. My ultimate vision is to establish a private practice immersed in natural surroundings, providing multiple therapeutic spaces with views of nature to support increased mindfulness and tranquility. These spaces will facilitate various therapeutic modalities, including meditation and movement-based approaches, fostering holistic healing. Honoring my experience as a person with mobility differences can offer a bridge to those moving through life in an able-bodied world. The space will be mindful of the barriers often encountered by those with physical differences. I have personally been in spaces that were ADA-compliant and accessible; however, there was a disconnect in the ease of the accessibility, often with ramps being on different ends or parking spaces being restrictive and not intuitive to those utilizing them. I envision a dedicated studio space equipped for artistic activities, serving as a creative sanctuary where clients can explore self-expression and healing through visual arts such as pottery, painting, and more. This vision epitomizes my career aspirations in social work. It reflects my commitment to holistic healing and comprehensive support for clients on their wellness journey, including meeting the person where they are.