Community Profile: Eliana Mason — Paralympic Medalist & Mental Health Visionary

Eliana Mason isn’t just a two-time Paralympic medalist; she’s a trailblazer at the intersection of professional sports and mental health advocacy. Born with glaucoma and cataracts, Eliana’s journey has been defined by a relentless drive for independence and a commitment to filling gaps in support for the blind and low-vision community.

The Road to Gold

Eliana’s athletic career is nothing short of elite. As a goalball standout, she brought home a bronze medal from Rio 2016 and silver from Tokyo 2020. She is currently training for the L.A. 2028 Games, with her sights set firmly on the gold.

For those unfamiliar with goalball, Eliana describes it as a high-intensity, physical sport created specifically for athletes with visual impairments. All players wear eye shades to ensure a level playing field, regardless of their degree of vision loss.

“It was invented after World War II for blinded veterans. And so, it’s its own unique sport.” Eliana explains. “Out of the 22 Paralympic summer sports, goalball is the only one that was created, not adapted.”

Players use their bodies to block a ball containing bells, thrown at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

Eliana notes that a single game is like doing “90 burpees” because of the constant diving and popping back up to throw.

“So, I joke that it’s like reverse dodgeball because we want to be hit with the ball.”

Bridging the Gap in Mental Health

When she isn’t on the court, Eliana is a licensed mental health counselor. Her decision to enter the field was personal. Growing up, she realized how difficult it was to find a therapist who understood life through a “disability lens”.

“I really wanted to be what I didn’t have growing up for someone else. Being able to bridge the gap between disability awareness and mental health is so important to me.”

Today, she runs her own private practice, helping clients find fulfillment and purpose while navigating the nuances of disability.

Empowering a Small Business

Eliana began using Aira with the Job Seeker offer to look for work after graduation. She now uses the Intuit Small Business offer to navigate the complex administrative hurdles of launching and operating her practice.

For example, she utilized Aira to apply for her business license, set up her LLC, and complete insurance credentialing. Aira assisted her in configuring a Google Workspace to ensure it met strict HIPAA privacy standards. She also uses the “Five Minutes Free” offer for quick tasks like reading mail, signing forms, or adjusting a thermostat.

Independence Beyond the Office

Whether navigating a pastry shop in Greece or finding a check-in desk at the Portland Airport, Aira has become Eliana’s go-to tool for travel. During a trip to Greece and Italy, professional visual interpreters allowed her to navigate independently rather than just following the group.

“I’m usually in the back of the group following someone, and I’m like, ‘OK, guys, we’re turning right, we’re turning left.’ And it was so freeing and empowering.”

The family enjoys sending texts and that’s where AI comes in. She uses Access AI to describe photos in family group chats so she can stay connected with her nieces. Eliana and her husband, who is also blind, use Aira to read cards during games like Cards Against Humanity.

Follow Eliana’s Journey

Follow Eliana as she prepares for L.A. 2028 and continues her work in mental health advocacy.

Instagram: @elianamarie
Facebook/LinkedIn: Eliana Mason

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