JONI: Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and I want you to meet one of my friends, because when it comes to Joni and Friends, it’s people like Dennis and Lynn Gladman who serve as the backbone for what we do. I met Dennis and his wife, Lynn, about three decades ago when we first started our ministry to people with disabilities. And when I met him, boy, was I really impressed – he introduced himself as Capt. Dennis Gladman, US Navy fighter pilot. And just why would a fighter pilot on an aircraft carrier be so interested in a ministry serving those with disabilities? Well, I'll let him tell you; welcome, Dennis, and I'm glad my friends listening have this chance to meet you…
DENNIS: Thank you Joni. It’s my pleasure to be here.
JONI: I have to ask you: Why would a fighter on an aircraft carrier be interested in me and our ministry?
DENNIS: Well, it’s an interesting story and the first time I told it to you when I met you a few years later you were somewhat surprised. I had just recently become a Christian and was returning from a deployment; faced with the breakup of a relationship and I was just distraught and for some reason (and I know the date because it is written in my Bible of June 27, 1981) I went to a Christian bookstore and I bought two books: a new Bible and a book entitled Joni. I don’t really know why I bought the book called Joni, but I read it all the way through and highlighted all the encouraging passages from the book in my Bible. That’s when I wrote to you and started supporting you on a small basis and why I was first interested in you just because I went to a bookstore and it attracted me for some reason.
JONI: Well, any time that I can encourage someone like you, a fighter pilot on an aircraft carrier, I tell you that means a lot. Dennis, you know what it means to suffer and suffer greatly. Just tell us a little about that…
DENNIS: As I said when I met you, you said this is an unusual reason for someone to come to your ministry, but God in His providence and sovereignty knew that I would need this ministry later on, so about 10 years later at the age of 44 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and yet because of my association with Joni and Friends all those years I never questioned God’s selection of me to bear that affliction, as Paul would say. I was just able to deal with it in a way that honored God and I didn’t ever say “Why me, God?” or “Why is this happening?” It was just something that I was able to deal with in a way that I felt honored God.
JONI: Well, you’ve not only honored God in your Parkinson’s disease by your response, but you have passed on the blessing to others with disabilities. You are pretty involved right now, I know, with our Joni and Friends chapter up in Oregon. What excites you most about what we do at Joni and Friends?
DENNIS: I think for me it puts names and faces with disabilities instead of just unknown people. People are able to get involved directly with Joni and Friends and things like Family Retreat. I just saw the joy that it brings and Joni and Friends creates the basis for getting involved.
JONI: I’ve seen you getting involved and it touches me deeply because I know that you struggle with your own disability. Parkinson’s is not easy; I know that it has affected your speech; I know that it has affected your gait and you’ve had a lot of problems with severe shaking, but I’m celebrating with you right now because you recently went through an extraordinary surgical procedure.
DENNIS: Four weeks ago I went through a procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation and at that point I was off medication and I stood up and walked.
JONI: You were able to walk?
DENNIS: I am able to walk. There is no sign of Parkinson’s that I once had.
JONI: Dennis, I am so grateful to God that He has answered your prayers and we’re going to be passing along that information to anyone who is interested in this extraordinary surgical procedure. Thank you for not only passing on the blessing of encouragement from God’s word, but the blessing of this extraordinary new medical advancement. Thanks, Dennis!
DENNIS: You’re welcome, Joni.
JONI: Until next time, this is Joni and Friends.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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