Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni is one of the most amazing people that I have never met. Her endurance and overcoming attitude often leaves me filled with awe. Here is the wiki on Joni:

A diving accident in 1967 left Tada hospitalized and paralyzed (as a quadriplegic; unable to use her hands or legs). After two years of rehabilitation and in a wheelchair, Tada began working to help others in similar situations. Tada wrote of her experiences in her international best-selling autobiography, Joni, which has been distributed in many languages, and which was made into a feature film of the same name.

During her two years of rehabilitation, Joni learned how to paint with a brush between her teeth, and has sold a lot of her artwork. Joni's art is what initially catapulted her into national prominence.. it is amazing what she does holding a brush between her teeth. It is equally amazing the things that come out of her mouth. Here are a few things that Joni has said:

Even though I have rough moments in my wheelchair, for the most part I consider my paralysis a gift. Just as Jesus exchanged the meaning of the Cross from a symbol of torture to one of hope and salvation, He gives me the grace to do the same with my chair. If a cross can become a blessing, so can a wheelchair. The wheelchair, in a sense, is behind me now. The despair is over. There are now other crosses to bear, other "wheelchairs" in my life to be exchanged into gifts.

Sometimes God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.

Heartache forces us to embrace God out of desparate, urgent need. God is never closer than when your heart is aching,

Contentment ... has an internal quietness of heart that gladly submits to God in all circumstances.

The fact that disabled people hang in there does something for Christians. It's not about being an inspiration for others, it more than that.... it's a mystery. God somehow strengthens others by their faithfulness. They may feel like a burden to others, but God thinks the opposite. He thinks its necessary for others to take care of the disabled... they do more for one's spiritual well being than can be imagined.