Joni needs to borrow your hands for yet another family she’s highlighting today for Heart for the Disabled. For more information, visit joniradio.org.
SHAUNA: Joni, I’m watching the letters of encouragement start pouring in for Heart for the Disabled!
JONI: And Shauna, it’s clear that so many people care about families who struggle with disability. And friend, it’s why Heart for the Disabled is one of my favorite weeks, all because you actually take time to bless some of the most hard-pressed families we serve at our Family Retreats. Like Brandon and Evelyn and their five children: Kayden, Kolby, Mariah, Kyler, and Madison. These kids, between them, have either epilepsy, conditions that affect swallowing and digestion, hearing losses, other medical complications, and let’s not forget autism [oh my goodness]. As you can imagine, Brandon and Evelyn struggle with exhaustion and the financial burden of medical emergencies and around-the-clock care. They juggle the needs of their children, but here’s the thing – Evelyn has her own health concerns.
Now, Mariah, needs constant supervision due to her risk of choking. Her parents are accustomed to being with her 24/7, and like so many moms and dads of kids with disabilities, they feel uneasy with another person caring for Mariah. Kyler also needs constant supervision and has no awareness of danger. Hospitals and doctors are a trigger for him. Kyler can easily have a meltdown and Evelyn and Brandon are exposed to judgment and criticism that families dealing with a tough disability often face. But listen to this; in spite of their hardships, Evelyn and Brandon are always finding ways to help others. When a family they know lost a child to leukemia, Evelyn wanted to find an avenue to help them, as well as others who struggle. And so, she started a Facebook group called Christmas Smiles to collect gifts for local families who otherwise could not afford presents for their children. Christmas Smiles has gained many contributors in their community, and they are on their ninth year of having sponsors “adopt” children for gift-giving at Christmas.
With all that they’ve got going, you can imagine that this family’s first experience at our Family Retreat was off-the-chart wonderful! When Brandon and Evelyn were surrounded by so much love and care, they could just let go and accept the help they never had before. All the children, Kyler and Mariah included, were making friends and jabbering about what they were learning in the Bible. Kyler was able to be himself, instead of being isolated. And already, Mariah is raising money for this year’s Family Retreat. She even wants to raise enough so she can give extra to another family.
And so, please write Brandon and Evelyn and the kids an uplifting note, would you? Assure them of your prayers – visit joniradio.org for everyone’s names and all the details in this amazing story. Include scriptures, or an inspirational poem, or ask your child or grandchild to draw something for Evelyn, Brandon, and their kids, Kayden, Kolby, Mariah, Kyler, and Madison. Shauna, where should folks send their cards?
SHAUNA: Send your cards to Brandon and Evelyn in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. And go to joniradio.org to see a fabulous photo of this amazing family. And please pray for Brandon and Evelyn and all their children. Remember, all the details are at joniradio.org.
JONI: And feel free to share this program with your friends and visit joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends