She was an active, lovely teenager when the unthinkable happened—a diving accident . . . a broken neck. In July 1967, doctors told Joni Eareckson she would never walk again, and they were right. But after working through the hardest of challenges, she surrendered her life to Christ completely, and God began a work through Joni that has changed millions of lives. In this unique, splendid interview, Joni shares her story with Chuck Swindoll as she has never shared before.
Watch the Interview
Interview Questions
- What did a friend’s kindness reveal to you about God’s compassion?
- How do you fight the temptation to be bitter?
- Tell us about the Joni and Friends ministry.
- How did you meet your husband, Ken?
- What do you say to the broken or hurting today?
- Be Not Afraid—ministering to Joni through song
Let Me Hear from You
One of the hardest steps we can take is also one that brings us the freedom we often long for. That step is taking responsibility for life as it is, not as we want it to be. It is accepting our circumstances, our struggles, our lives as God has allowed and living fully within His sovereign care. For some, this is a simple decision while others of us struggle with it, but all of us must come to it—if we want to experience all God has for us.
No one is exempt from the unexpected . . . a paralyzing situation, a loss, grief that won’t end, cancer, disease. Perhaps you feel as though your soul has been bound by suffocating and isolating bitterness. Isn’t it time to talk about making a change? Do you want to go through life as a captive or with contentment? Only you can choose how you will respond.
Joni has lived with paralysis and chronic pain, she’s survived cancer, and she has learned to live with contagious joy. And like Joni, we all make choices. What is holding you back? Let’s connect and talk about how you can turn your life around today.
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Joni Eareckson Tada Resources
Insight for Living Ministries Resources
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About Joni Eareckson Tada
Joni, the founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities. A diving accident in 1967 left 17-year-old Joni Eareckson a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands and legs. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. Mrs. Tada has served on the National Council on Disability and the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department. She has helped guide evangelism strategies among people with disabilities worldwide as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization.
Joni has received numerous awards and honors, including the Victory Award from the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the Golden Word Award from the International Bible Society. She has been awarded several honorary degrees, including: Doctor of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Humanitarian Services from California Baptist University, and a Doctor of Humane Letters by Indiana Wesleyan University where she was inducted into IWU’s Society of World Changers.
Joni has written more than 50 books. She has received the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Joni’s latest book is Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story published by Zondervan.