Welcome to the last and best day of our “Heart for the Disabled” week.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and all this week I’ve been telling stories about families with special needs (really big needs) so that you could write notes of encouragement and a Valentine card. And, boy, are you responding — so many of you have already sent in your cards and letters. But I’ve got one more family to tell you about.
It’s Steve and Julie, they are remarkable parents. Their three children, at a very early age, developed a rare genetic disease—so rare, they didn’t have a name for it. David (their one son) passed away from this disease, but his twin brother Tyson and sister, Paige, continue on. And how can I describe Paige and Tyson’s disability? Oh my goodness, this condition (now get this) has caused them to lose their hearing (they are deaf), their sight, and their mobility. The two of them sit totally paralyzed in their wheelchairs and even use a ventilator to help them breathe. They use a feeding tube, as well. So we’re talking about two young people being virtually blind, deaf, totally paralyzed, ventilator dependent, and fed on a tube. The way their parents, Steve and Julie, communicate with Paige and Tyson is to get real, real close to their faces and use sign language. These two know American Sign Language — but you have to be within a foot or two of their eyes for them to see the hand signs.
I had the great blessing of visiting Steve and Julie and Paige and Tyson in their home. Oh my goodness, you would not believe the joy and peace you feel when you walk through the door. This family loves Christ and holds onto His grace every step of the way. The prognosis for Paige and Tyson is not the best, but these two young adults are making the most of their lives. Both of them are prayer warriors, and Tyson has finished an on-line Bible course. Whenever I travel, I always send Paige and Tyson my itinerary so I know they can be praying. Who wouldn’t want two young people like that praying for you, right?
Still, the day-to-day routines and non-stop challenges, even at night, are so overwhelming. I know it would be an incredible gift and blessing for this family to be on the receiving end of Valentine cards and encouragements! So would you please take a moment to jot a note or a card to them and let them know you’ll be praying for them? Include a favorite Scripture or, as I’ve shared earlier this week, tuck in a copy of a favorite inspirational poem or the words to a hymn. Steve and Julie need an extra measure of God's grace and I know they’d be blessed to hear that you are cheering them on — and of course, their children, Paige and Tyson would be thrilled by your notes as well (their parents would just hold them up inches within their faces so they could see what you wrote). And if you want to be creative, the sky’s the limit — perhaps includes a small gift certificate to McDonalds or Baskin Robbins Ice Cream or whatever. I know Ken and I are going to be doing something like that for them, but the important thing is, your note and the Scriptures from God's Word that you include.
Make sure you get your card or note to Steve and Julie (that’s the parents), Paige and Tyson. Mail your letter in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376. Visit my radio page at joniandfriends.org where we’ve posted a photo of Tyson and Paige. I can’t wait for all these families that I’ve been sharing about this week to open up their mailboxes on Valentine’s Day to see how so many Christians truly care! So send your note to Steve and Julie and to their children, Tyson and Paige in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376.
© Joni and Friends
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376