AuthorChristina Chase

Although crippled by disease, I'm fully alive in love. I write about the terrible beauty and sacred wonder of life, while living with physical disability and severe dependency. A revert to the Catholic faith through atheism, I'm not afraid to ask life's big questions. I explore what it means to be fully human through my weekly blog, and I've written a book titled It's Good to Be Here, published by Sophia Institute Press.

Posted 5 days ago5 Comments in the world

Humility: Setting the Tone

It seems like a bit of irony to write about humility around the Fourth of July, when my nation celebrates freedom and independence with great pride. Then again, Independence Day … Continue Reading Humility: Setting the Tone

Posted 2 weeks ago3 Comments in the world

Cut to the Heart

I’ve been suffering. I’ve been suffering from something that I caught through the rants, ridiculing, and general rancor of social media. Symptoms include feverish disgust and the malignant, aching fatigue … Continue Reading Cut to the Heart

Posted 3 weeks ago1 Comment biographical

Daughter

On the most recent Solemnity of Corpus Christi, I heard something in the familiar Gloria that I had never heard before. What struck me was calling the first Divine Person … Continue Reading Daughter

Posted 4 weeks ago4 Comments biographical

Holy Communion

God Stuck in My Teeth the sublime shock of knowing I gnaw and gnash the Body of God in my mouth; I swallow Him, digest Him, and even my breath … Continue Reading Holy Communion

Posted 1 month ago1 Comment in the world

Man

(This is an unusual post for me. But it felt necessary.) They didn’t need a gun to kill George Floyd. Just a knee on the neck, + gravity + time… … Continue Reading Man

dark night, reflection, green place, shelter

Posted 1 month ago5 Comments art, literature, music

Renewal

While trying to look for something else the other day, I rediscovered this old poem that I’m going to share with you. I don’t remember writing it, but I do … Continue Reading Renewal

Posted 2 months ago1 Comment biographical

Golden Wedding

Today, my parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! I would love to honor them by writing something about how they met, why they fell in love with each other, … Continue Reading Golden Wedding

Virgin Mary in a month of May with flowers

Posted 2 months ago2 Comments Mary

Mother’s Day

What did Omnipotent God first need in order to become a human being and bring about His divine plan of salvation? A mother. Let’s give thanks for and to all … Continue Reading Mother’s Day

Posted 2 months ago4 Comments art, literature, music

Saints with Disabilities

Saints intercede to bring about miraculous cures for people with disabilities — they don’t have disabilities themselves. Right? Wrong. “It’s not like people with disabilities are usually known for feeding … Continue Reading Saints with Disabilities

coronavirus, pandemic, mercy and compassion

Posted 3 months ago1 Comment life and death

A Pandemic of Mercy

I’m struck by all of the sacrifices that people are making during this coronavirus pandemic of 2020 — staying inside, denying themselves social gatherings, even losing income. And for what? … Continue Reading A Pandemic of Mercy

Posted 3 months ago2 Comments holy days

Way of the Cross

I want to read something to you … a reminder that, even in the worst times, it’s good to be here. Concluding my Lenten series, this is an intimate meditation … Continue Reading Way of the Cross

Posted April 3, 20207 Comments in the world

Stripped

“I am poor and needy.”[i] Since I was a baby, and throughout my life, I have been slowly and relentlessly stripped of strength and abilities by progressive motorneuron disease. Crawling, … Continue Reading Stripped

Posted March 27, 20205 Comments life and death

Heartache

“Son, why have you done this to us?”[i] Okay. I’m just going to say it. I don’t want to contract covid–19 and die. I don’t want any of my loved … Continue Reading Heartache

fear and panic when you feel helpless and abandoned

Posted March 20, 202011 Comments biographical

Abandonment

“Remain here and keep watch with me.”[i] I’m quite helpless. And I’m afraid. This Lent, as I continue to examine my struggles and weaknesses in the light of Christ, I … Continue Reading Abandonment

Posted March 13, 20201 Comment life and death

Pain

“It was our pain that he bore, our sufferings he endured.”[i] I love being alive, body and soul. Sometimes, though, I think that my diseased, crippled body looks like it’s … Continue Reading Pain

Posted March 6, 20205 Comments biographical

Agony

“Not my will.” How many times have I desperately longed for my life of progressive disability to be different? For countless hours upon hours I have agonized, with teenaged hormones … Continue Reading Agony