Only one more day left of the Heart for the Disabled! Celebrate Valentine’s Day early by listening to this amazing family’s story. Send a note of encouragement to them today!
SHAUNA: And Joni, I’ve been down to the mailroom and the letters of encouragement from our listening friends – well, they’re pouring in for the Heart for the Disabled!
JONI: Oh, I’m so happy to hear that! And I love that so many people care about families who struggle with disability. And of course it’s why Heart for the Disabled is one of my favorite weeks, because you, friend, listening, you actually take time to bless some of the most hard-pressed families we serve at our Family Retreats. Like Guillermo, and Carolann and their three-year-old son, Lucas. Guillermo has been using a wheelchair for 21 years ever since an undiagnosed condition took away his mobility. He and Carolann are well acquainted with disability, but then when Lucas was diagnosed with autism, their lives became really challenging.
Lucas is full of energy, and he spends most of the day running around, putting whatever he can find directly into his mouth. And chasing a toddler is extremely difficult for Guillermo in his wheelchair. He just wishes he could be more helpful, but their home only has a few wheelchair-accessible areas. He cannot get into the bathroom to help with Lucas’s bath, leaving Carolann to do all that heavy lifting herself.
Guillermo’s constant medical appointments became even more frequent when he was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, which causes severe chronic pain in his face. Knowing my own battle with chronic pain, Guillermo and Carolann looked to our Joni and Friends ministry for help and they found our Marriage Getaway. A scholarship allowed the couple to attend, but they couldn’t find overnight care for Lucas. And so, we included Lucas, and our staff members cared for this active little guy so that Guillermo and Carolann could take part in the Marriage Getaway. Attending small groups, game time, meals, and more. And the whole experience was so life-changing for both Guillermo and Carolann. Not only could they work on disability issues within their marriage, they also now have support as parents of a disabled child. Craving even more connections, Guillermo and Carolann signed up for Family Retreat. And there, they got closer to one another, to Jesus, and to other families.
Since Family Retreat, Guillermo’s trigeminal neuralgia has only worsened. Doctors were able to perform a procedure that eased Guillermo’s pain, but it’s only available an hour’s drive from their home. Carolann needed to commute between the hospital and home, as it was important to maintain Lucas’ school routine. Though caregiving for both her husband and her son has become so taxing. Our Joni and Friends staff, volunteers, and other Family Retreat families keep in close contact with Carolann to make sure the family has what they need. Guillermo and Carolann can’t wait for the next Family Retreat. But they need support now. There are so many needs! And so, Shauna, where should folks send their uplifting Valentine cards?
SHAUNA: Well, you can send your cards, your hymns, your scriptures, your prayers – send them all to Guillermo and Carolann in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. And go to joniradio.org to see a beautiful photo of this special family. And don’t forget to pray for Guillermo, Carolann, and Lucas. Pray for all our Heart for the Disabled families. If you need more details, we hope you’ll visit us at joniradio.org. And please send in your card right away because tomorrow is the last day of Heart for the Disabled so, let’s hear from you soon! Mail your card today.
© Joni and Friends