Port Clinton High School and Ottawa County Workforce Hub graduate, Mason Fenton, center, stands with his parents April and DJ Fenton. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Mason Fenton’s senior year changed dramatically when a brain tumor caused him to go blind. Mason faced his new challenges with resilience and courage. (Submitted photo)

PORT CLINTON – Mason Fenton’s senior year of high school didn’t end the way it began, but his heart never changed. Last fall, Mason enrolled in the Ottawa County Workforce Hub’s Skilled Trades program, but a brain tumor that left him blind rerouted the course of his future. By midyear, his body was different, his senior experience was different, and his future was different.

But Mason never stopped being Mason. He never stopped smiling, joking, and enjoying life.

“I’m not going to fight something you can’t control,” he said.

Mason began to temporarily lose his sight whenever he would stand up, and his family suspected low blood pressure, but the condition worsened. Mason’s doctor recommended a visit to the eye doctor, who recommended an MRI. An MRI in November, 2025, revealed he had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball. His family learned the news as they were sitting in a Toledo hospital.

“We almost didn’t process it,” said his mother, April Fenton. “We thought there was a mistake.”

When Mason was scheduled for surgery, doctors told him they were hoping that removing the tumor would relieve pressure on the optical nerve and his vision would improve, but there were no promises.

Mason underwent surgery to remove the tumor on Dec. 1.

Recovery was difficult. Mason, who has Becker Muscular Dystrophy, struggled to come out of the anesthetic, which is common with Becker patients, and he suffered from temporary mutism.

“He couldn’t talk for a week. We had no idea how long that would last,” April said.

Mason Fenton faced brain tumor surgery and sudden blindness with courage and didn’t let his challenges prevent him from graduating from the Ottawa County Workforce Hub. He was presented with the Phoenix award at graduation. (Submitted photo)

Mason’s vision declined after the surgery, and today, he is completely blind in his right eye and has about 10% vision in his left eye.

“My left eye is light sensitive, and I can see bright colors and silhouettes,” Mason said.

Mason was back to school by the beginning of the year, and he switched from the Skilled Trades Academy to the Hospitality & Tourism Academy so he could continue his studies. When he graduated from the Workforce Hub on May 14, he was honored with the Phoenix award which is presented each year to a student who overcame tremendous obstacles and still reached success.

“They give it in recognition of rising above hard circumstances,” April said.

The Workforce Hub staff and the Port Clinton High School staff helped Mason navigate his new life, and they are still helping. Workforce Hub hospitality teacher, Erin Steinbrick, gifted Mason braille Legos and began teaching him to read braille.

“She offered to help me this summer, too,” Mason said.

When Mason began his school year, he was considering a career as a sanitation worker or an electrician, but blindness made those options impossible. So, he switched gears. Mason is currently studying to become a Certified Peer Recovery Supporter, and when he is finished, he plans to seek employment working with male youths in recovery, showing them that overcoming obstacles is possible.

Mason’s life changed dramatically, but he didn’t change with it. For him, obstacles are to be expected, and you don’t have to let them change who you are or how you enjoy each day.

“You live, and you die,” he said. “Becoming blind never really phased me.”