Christa’s Story

Christa has an extremely rare heart condition, and has spent her entire life navigating a reality most of us will struggle to understand. She has had 9 surgeries to manage her complex heart condition.

Recently she came home from what was to be her tenth with the devastating news that there was nothing they could do to increase the oxygen levels in her 02 depleted blood.

The last four years have been the hardest yet. After a long recovery from hernia surgery she developed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a complex, chronic, and debilitating neuroimmune condition characterized by profound, non-restorative fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and sleep abnormalities. Its hallmark symptom is post-exertional malaise (PEM), a severe worsening of symptoms after minor physical or mental effort. ME/CFS has largely kept her housebound, sometimes bed-bound since 2022 .

The woman who loves to homeschool her boys, tended her garden, and pour into everyone around her now has very little capacity for the very basics of daily life like cooking, cleaning, and caring for herself. She is still fighting as she always fights but her body has limits that no amount of willpower can override.

What This Means for the Family

Christa’s husband, John, has been her primary caregiver, fathering their two boys and the sole provider for the family. Managing the household, caregiving, parenting, and trying to generate income all at once. For months at a time working for John has been impossible and the financial weight has become crushing. Debt has accumulated. Income has been inconsistent.

What We’re Asking For

We are asking for a little breathing room.

Any contribution, truly any amount, makes a difference. Here is what hope looks like for

this family right now:

• A wheelchair for Christa, so they can start doing things together again as a family simple things, like going somewhere, being outside, being present with each other. **Update** A wheelchair has been generously donated to Christa. Their family is beyond grateful.

• Relief from the financial pressure that weighs on them every single day.

They have given so much. To their boys. To each other. To the people around them. If you’ve ever known someone who gives quietly and asks for nothing, you know this family.

Now it’s our turn. Every dollar shared, donated, or prayed over matters. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Leah,

on behalf of John, Christa, and their boys