Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada; welcome to “Heart for the Disabled” week.
That’s right, all this week I’ve been mentioning the stories of families with special needs — moms and dads and disabled kids who really, really need the encouragement of Jesus. And you have helped me give that encouragement as you’ve written notes, Valentine’s cards, and letters to the people I’ve mentioned each day. For those of you who haven’t yet written, I’ve got a family who really needs an uplifting word.
Fred and Bev have a 29-year-old son named Tim who was born with his disability. The doctors listed Tim’s developmental disability as severe and profound mental retardation, seizure disorders, and he is deaf in the left ear. He responds on about a two-year-old level, so Tim needs constant 24/7 supervision. Tim LOVES music – one of his favorite activities is to listen to the sounds from his Fisher-Price plastic record albums. Although Fred and Bev have full-time care of Tim, he does attend a day program five days a week. Typically he gets up at about 6 am every morning, and his nighttime routine takes about 1 ½ hours to get him to bed (and that routine cannot be deviated from AT ALL or else he will not sleep!). Finally, he’s usually able to fall asleep about midnight. So you can see his parents, Fred and Bev, have very long days and very short nights.
Fred and Bev are nearing retirement age, but, understandably, they are not in a position yet to retire. Due to the economic situation, they have both been unemployed for months. As many parents are thinking of the years ahead as a time to travel, relax, and slow down – Fred and Bev’s life remains unchanged; they must continue the diligent routine for Tim to feel comfortable and at peace. They are both currently in good health, although Bev is a cancer survivor and continues to get routine checkups (that’s another challenge with health insurance lapses due to unemployment). The thing is, we have never, ever heard Bev or Fred complain in their almost 30 years of parenting their severely disabled son, Tim. Sure, it’s not easy to toilet a full-grown man, but they will continue to help him with his needs until their daughter, Marcie, is able to take over. She is not sure how she will do it, but loves her brother dearly and she’ll figure it out. All the family knows the Lord and relies on His strength to get them through day to day. They also find support from local Joni and Friends family activities and church groups.
So, friend, here is a family who I know would very, very much appreciate an encouraging reminder from God's Word. Maybe you have struggled against cancer or perhaps you recently lost your job; perhaps you are raising a child with serious disabilities. Whatever your situation, I know that God can use your words, your favorite Scriptures, maybe the words to your favorite hymn or poem. I don’t need to tell you what to write, let the Holy Spirit do that. The important thing is, please just write! And when you do, remember to pray for Fred, Bev and their son Tim — I know they would appreciate hearing that many brothers and sisters in Christ are lifting them up before the Lord.
Do it right away and then mail it off to Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376. If you’ve missed any details, you can always go to my radio page at joniandfriends.org — we’re even posting it on our Facebook page. Oh, how your note will encourage this family! I can just picture them opening their mailbox on Valentine’s Day. I think it’s going to help them over a lot of hurdles as they read what you have to say. So write today and thank you from Joni and Friends. Thanks for having a heart for the disabled.
© Joni and Friends
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376