Meeting Joni Eareckson Tada

We were so inspired to finally be able to meet Joni and see God’s love, blessing & faithfulness come full circle! Joni has been such an inspiration for us over the years. Joni broke her neck in a diving accident at age 17 leaving her paralyzed with quadriplegia and no use of her hands. Her story of battling depression, wanting to commit suicide, to then being so filled with love, joy, hope & peace while choosing to live a life full of purpose has helped millions! We have been so inspired…from getting the Joni book & movie given to Corina 20 years ago while Kelly lay paralyzed in a hospital bed hooked up to a ventilator fighting for his life after breaking his neck. God gave us hope through her story and spoke to our hearts that He did have a plan for Kelly even despite being faced with being a quadriplegic the rest of his life.

To again being inspired eighteen years later when we were introduced to Joni and Friends Arizona at a Disability Conference & meeting the Keynote Speaker who put us in touch with Joni & encouraged us to write Joni a letter of how she impacted our lives. Then being blessed to attend Joni and Friends Family Retreat & also connect with Joni’s Photographer Mike Yuen & his wife Beth on his last Retreat before retiring. After leaving Family Retreat being inspired to starting our family’s KCT Project helping others overcome, as well starting a Spinal Cord Injury support group locally.

Now two years later we were inspired & blessed by Joni’s photographer Mike with his invitation to give us a personal tour of Joni and Friends & arranging to introduce us to Joni. Mike’s example of Christ’s love is nothing short of amazing! Years of ministry through Joni & Friends and is now “retired”, yet Mike’s heart of service is shining through in his extremely action-packed schedule, like him making this happen for us.

Then we met Joni! She signed our original Joni book (the tiny little book that so greatly helped us at such a traumatic time in our lives when our whole world was turned upside down & faced with such tragedy!). Something we’ve held onto all these years and has been so special to us. To see her sign it for us, holding the pen with her teeth, was pretty special! Now celebrating God’s faithfulness of Joni being in a wheelchair 50 years this year and 20 years for Kelly! God is so good!

The excitement, anticipation & expectations we had beforehand of not knowing what to expect from a “celebrity”…yet Joni’s sincere love, selflessness & encouragement touched our hearts. She was so real & authentic. It was such an encouragement to us, it is rare to see someone celebrate their disability/hardships…Joni is a great example of living with a cheerful heart!

After 20 years, the time finally came. Between attending a conference, our schedule, Joni’s schedule, it all finally worked out. Nothing is impossible for God – we never thought we’d get to meet her, but in God’s timing He paved the way! She inspires us how she continues to encourage, bless, & inspire those around her even among her having to deal with her own quadriplegia & chronic pain. She’s inspiring how she gives all glory to God and how she gets her strength from within that she needs to keep on going, and to help others. As well as we do…that inner strength, hope & peace within from Jesus is what gets us through our daily hardships & battles filling us with love & joy! We are so grateful & thankful for much! Our hope is just that for you as well!

Xoxo,

Kelly & Corina

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