Christina Massad

“My life is like a Kinder Surprise Egg--it looks simple and smooth on the outside, but the inside is always filled with a surprise.

Sometimes that surprise is like biting into a jalapeno pepper that takes a minute or two to recover from, and sometimes it’s like drinking a cozy cup of tea that makes you want to curl up on a couch with a massive, warm blanket. 

Today, I work in broadcast television and am the owner of Maison by Christina, an abstract painting business. But the road behind me and the road in front of me are roads less traveled. 

At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscles to progressively weaken. And no, going to the gym and working out unfortunately won’t solve that fun problem. 

By the time I graduated high school, I made it my mission to be proactive and spread awareness about Muscular Dystrophy.

I founded the annual York Region Walk for MD with the help of family and friends, and it has raised over $200,000 to date for medical research, to financially assist families with the purchase of medical equipment, and other services. 

Navigating postsecondary education, internships, and multiple jobs in my twenties while adapting to my changing physical abilities kept me on my toes.

But through humour, community support, and some comfort food along the way (especially chocolate and french fries), I feel more myself today than I ever have before! 

I’ve always been quite a determined and stubborn person, so having a disability has never stopped me from accomplishing what I set my mind to. But having limited abilities has forced me to always think two steps ahead and invest in mobility aids that help me reach my goals and live a life of quality...even if that life has to look slightly different than many peoples. 

I don’t know where the road in front of me will lead, but who does?

For now, I hope to keep working, painting, and enjoying my Kinder Egg life!”

Christina Massad, 33, Markham, ON. 
@maisonbychristina

CHEERS TO YOU CHRISTINA - You are such an inspiration ❤ 🥂