I'm Joni Tada and sometimes, new friends make all the difference.
I saw it happen right before my eyes some time back when I was speaking at a Sunday church service out of town. From the platform, I could not help but notice the 13 year-old girl sitting on the front row, squirming and trying her best to look very disinterested. This was one troubled kid and I think that the severe scoliosis I could see in her spine and the paralysis in her one arm were at the bottom of it all. When the service was over, I wheeled up to her and learned that her name was Amber. She had been brought to church that morning by her neighbor. I guess the neighbor thought that this kid with her disability might be able to relate to me in my wheelchair but I don’t think so.
This girl—bless her little heart—tried her best to shock me with all her talking about the rap groups and heavy metal rock artists she likes listening to, everything on MTV. I thought to myself, oh, my goodness, this kid needs new friends. I then gamely tried to move the conversation forward, directing her attention to our Walk-n-Roll, which we would be holding that afternoon on the campus of a local college. That’s where people come with all kinds of wheels – wheelchairs, strollers, whatever – and help raise funds for disability ministry. I said to Amber, “Why don’t you come and join in on the fun?!”
I left the service and got ready to go to the Walk-n-Roll. I arrived on the scene that afternoon, marveling at the tents, snack booths, balloons and flags in the breeze, the best 'handicap' band you'd ever want to hear, everybody set, ready to walk and roll, elderly folks walking arm-in-arm, teenagers jogging, bicycles, kids on roller skates, tricycles, mothers pushing baby carriages, folks in wheelchairs, four little girls being pulled in a wagon … you name it, there was even a lady walking her three Dachshunds! It was such fun! All of it to raise funds as well as raise awareness for our disability outreach in the area.
I wondered, in the midst of all the activity, about Amber. I scanned the crowd and lo and behold, there she was over by the registration table. I could tell she was getting into the action. I watched her do her best to walk a few laps: it was no easy feat with that severe scoliosis of hers and her limp arm, paralyzed and dangling at her side. Later that afternoon, I saw her cheering everybody on and giving out bottles of water to the walkers. I think Amber was nearly the last one to leave Walk-n-Roll that afternoon.
I think maybe Amber has made some new friends. Maybe she now sees that you can have fun beyond MTV and video games. We work hard at Joni and Friends to influence for Christ kids like Amber. I told her at the close of the day, “You know, Amber? Heavy metal rock music isn’t where it’s at, following Jesus is neater, wouldn’t you agree?” Just who are her new friends? The little kids in wheelchairs she met that day at the Walk-n-Roll; the young mother holding her Down syndrome boy; the child on crutches. There were plenty of new friends for Amber there that day, friends with much more severe disabilities than hers. Hanging out with these people … well, I think Amber realized her scoliosis and paralyzed arm were nothing to cry about because there were other kids handling their handicaps and doing it with a smile. Speaking of smiles, you’ve got to see some of these kids with disabilities today that are in this cute little video I’ve posted on my radio page. So, when we’re finished here, just head over to joniandfriends.org and watch a few kids handle their handicaps with a big smile. And maybe, just maybe the lesson Amber learned will also be a lesson that will touch your heart. God bless you and thank you for listening to Joni and Friends.
© Joni and Friends
Used by permission of Joni and Friends
P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376