Our Story

Ruth Grant-Bailey

Ruth Grant-Bailey has been an RN for over thirty years, with most of her career experience in leadership and management. She brought an intensive physical therapy model to the Cincinnati area and co-founded an intensive physical therapy center that treated children with neuromuscular disorders. Ruth also started two non-profits—Smiles for Kids and CP Inspires (no longer in place). These accomplishments, along with her strong advocacy for Mason and his medical care and treatments, led to her being recognized as one of Nabisco’s 100 Extraordinary Women in 2008.

In addition to A Muddy Life, Ruth has written two children’s books and several articles for various magazines. As an educator on cerebral palsy and intensive therapy models, she has done multiple presentations and speaking engagements at elementary schools, physician offices, PTA meetings, and chambers of commerce.

Mason Bailey

Mason is the co-author of A Muddy Life, bringing his own perspective, humor, and determination to a story that he and his mom, Ruth, have lived together.

Born with cerebral palsy following complications from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, Mason grew up facing plenty of predictions about what he would never be able to do. Through years of therapy, surgeries, persistence, and a refusal to accept “you can’t” as the final answer, he continued finding his own way forward.

A lifelong fascination with heavy equipment eventually led Mason to pursue formal training after initially being denied an opportunity because of his disability. He found an instructor willing to focus on what was possible and ultimately achieved his goal of becoming NCCER certified in heavy equipment.

During high school, Mason also discovered sled hockey at a time when he was searching for a place to belong. The sport became another important chapter in his life and another reminder of what can happen when someone is given an opportunity.

Today, Mason uses those experiences—and plenty of humor—to share a perspective centered on perseverance, inclusion, independence, and challenging assumptions about disability. His speaking has included elementary schools, county workshops, and medical residency programs.