Joni & Friends

Nearly 1 billion people around the world live with disabilities. Many of these individuals and their families live in poverty, pain, and despair. Yet, ministries like Joni & Friends envision a world where everyone with a disability can find hope, dignity, and identity in Christ. When she was only 17 years old, Joni Eareckson Tada was in a diving accident that left her a quadriplegic. Yet, instead of letting her disability ruin her life, God used her accident to draw hundreds of thousands of people to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

In 1979, Joni started a ministry, Joni & Friends, which has been committed to reaching and serving people with disabilities with practical help and the saving love of Jesus. Following the call of Jesus in Luke 14:21–23, Joni & Friends delivers wheelchairs worldwide, offers retreats and getaways so that families living with disability can experience rest, offers hope and encouragement through their podcasts and radio programs, and much more. They also partner with local church to help create a disability-welcoming environment.