It’s the last day of Heart for the Disabled week! It’s not too late to send them an encouraging note! Listen to all the families’ stories on www.joniradio.org and be inspired!
SHAUNA: And Joni, it’s our last day of Heart for the Disabled!
JONI: And on this final day, I want to share a story about a remarkable family. And I want you, listening friend, to send this family the love of Christ through a note, or a Bible verse, or an assurance of prayer. Let me tell you about Maryana and her three children, two of whom have a disability. Maryana’s oldest is Eric. He’s 15. And then there’s Filip who’s 11 and has Down syndrome and autism. And eight-year-old Elsie also has both Down syndrome and autism.
Maryana is from Ukraine and has lived in the United States for 18 years. Before having children with disabilities, Maryana didn’t understand that people with disabling conditions actually experience the same emotions as others do. Boy did that change when Filip was born! Not only did she learn that people with disabilities are created in God’s image, she also discovered that in the Slavic community, 70% of children with disabilities are left in the hospital because doctors tell their parents they shouldn’t have to take them home. Maryana was understandably devastated by these statistics. And so, God prompted her to adopt a disabled child from a Slavic community, and Maryana chose Ukraine.
When Maryana saw a picture of Elsie she immediately said, “Oh, my goodness, that girl’s mine,” and before long Elsie was a permanent part of the family. Having two children with disabilities has changed everything for Maryana—her priorities, her lifestyle, and it’s opened her eyes and heart to different perspectives. She now shares the truth about people with disabilities—you know that they, like us all of us, are fearfully and wonderfully made—she shares that biblical perspective to Ukrainian refugee families who’ve recently relocated in her area.
As a single mom, Maryana is living in the extreme, especially when her kids are out of school. It sometimes feels impossible to find after-school and summer programs that accept kids with disabilities. Not only does Maryana struggle to find the right caregiving programs for her children, but she is so worn out, trying to find the right therapies and therapists to support her children’s needs.
Thankfully, Maryana found respite and support at Family Retreat. She said [and this is quote], “Family Retreat is absolutely amazing. It is so important when volunteers meet the exact needs of your kids and it provides me with total rest. I know how hard disability is. You can look at another mom and say, ‘I know your pain, I know what you’re going through. I experience the same thing.’ And it is a blessing to be a part of the Joni and Friends family.” Wow!
Hey, you can encourage this precious mom, Maryana with an uplifting note, a Christ centered note, or a fun card. Or send the words to your favorite hymn. Remind this woman that God will never abandon her and that she can rest in his care. So, Shauna, where do folks send their Valentines?
SHAUNA: Send your cards to Maryana, in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. You can see Maryana and her beautiful family at joniradio.org. And on this Friday, I’m so glad that you, my friend, have a Heart for the Disabled. Thank you for praying for all the families whose stories we’ve shared this week. You have outdone yourself in remembering their struggles. God bless you for that!
JONI: Amen!
© Joni and Friends