Hey, it's “Heart for the Disabled” week here at Joni and Friends.
Thanks for joining me, Joni Eareckson Tada, as we begin one of my favorite weeks of the year. This is when I ask you to take a few minutes to write a note of encouragement to disabled people who attended last summer's Family Retreats. Many of you have done this before (last year beat all records; you friends really responded) and it has meant the world to these especial needs people who receive, well, Valentine's cards, letters, notes with Scriptures, words of a hymn, inspirational poems. And today, I’m thinking of Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cindy. Boy, could they use some encouragement.
You see, this older couple adopted all four special-needs children from their daughter who was unable to care for them. There had been abuse by their daughter and I’m not sure what happened to the father. But I do know that Jim and Cindy brought to Family Retreat Tiffany who is 9 years old and has a slight brain disorder and epilepsy due to an accident when she was five months old. Along with Tiffany, they brought 10-year-old Cody who has cerebral palsy; Destiny who is 11 years old, but has ADHD and behavior issues; and finally 12-year-old Lindsey who also has ADHD. Oh, my goodness! You can imagine what a huge encouragement our Family Retreat was for this unusual family. Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cindy were so blessed by the way all our volunteers embraced Tiffany, Cody, Destiny, and Lindsey. Cindy even commented that Family Retreat was the first place she ever felt as though her children were welcomed and accepted, all in the name of Jesus. And Cindy was so blessed by the women’s one-on-one sharing time; it was helpful for her to hear perspectives from other special-needs moms.
Physically, things are getting a little challenging for Jim and Cindy as they are grandparents—especially with lifting little Cody in and out of his wheelchair. They are aging but he is getting bigger, and they wonder how they’ll be able to manage in a few years. Who will take care of these little ones they love so much? All this, and Jim and Cindy have to work through the “invisible” disabilities happening with the other three other girls who were rejected by their mother. For this family, it’s a difficult haul, a long road. I look at them and think, "I don’t know anything about hardship!" My goodness, these people really know suffering.
What can I say! Jim and Cindy would love a note of encouragement. They know nothing about our Heart for the Disabled program this week, and with a card or note from you, you can assure this Grandmother and Grandfather that you’ll be praying for them. Share some uplifting Scriptures or ask your children or grandkids to crayon a picture for Tiffany, Cody, Destiny, or Lindsey. How about writing out the words to a favorite hymn? Maybe send a gift certificate to McDonald’s or share a poem, or just let them know you’re praying. Send your card, note or letter to “Jim and Cindy” in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. If you missed any details, I’m posting the entire story on our radio page at joniandfriends.org. Just know that we need you to send your note in right away to ensure it arrives in Jim and Cindy’s mailbox in time for Valentine's Day. Again, write your card to Jim and Cindy and send it to Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. And thank you so much for having a heart for the disabled, disabled children like Jim and Cindy are grandparenting.
© Joni and Friends, 2014
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376