Christa Woodside

Hi, I’m Christa Woodside. I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Trey—we’ve been best friends since we were 14, and this year we’re celebrating 15 years of marriage. Together, we’re raising four amazing kids: our daughter Calah, who’s ten, and our three adopted children—Eric (9), Olivia (8), and Timothy (5). Our house is full of laughter, chaos, and love, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

When I was 16, my life took a sharp turn. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At the time, I was a three-sport athlete with dreams of playing basketball professionally. MS stole that dream, and over the years, it’s continued to challenge me in ways I never imagined. Every five years or so, a new symptom shows up. At 21, I developed a tremor in my dominant hand and had to relearn everything with my left. At 26, I experienced foot drop. Now, at 36, my mobility has declined significantly. I use a walking stick and a walker, but even with those, I fall often. I’ve had to stop working because of the pain and the difficulty getting around.

It’s hard. I’m only 36, but my body has been fighting itself for over two decades.

Insurance doesn’t cover the mobility devices I need, and while there are grants and state programs, they’re complicated and slow. With four kids and one income, going into more debt just isn’t an option.

But for the first time in a long time, I’m feeling hopeful. I’ve discovered a mobility device called the Zeen. It’s not just a walker or a wheelchair—it’s something more. It would allow me to stand and move hands-free, to cook safely at the stove, to walk beside my family instead of watching from the sidelines. I could play basketball again. I could join in on pickleball games. I could be part of the fun instead of sitting out. I haven’t taken a walk with my family in ten years. The Zeen could change that.

If you feel moved to help, I’m fundraising through Help Hope Live. Every donation brings me closer to reclaiming movement, independence, and joy. If you can, please give—and share my story with others who might want to help too. Your support means the world to me.

Thank you for walking this journey with me.

—Christa