Joni: Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I have a special guest today! Jessica Ebersole, welcome to "Joni and Friends".
Jessica: Hi, Joni! It’s so good to be here today.
Joni: Absolutely. It’s always good to have you, and Jessica you have been serving as an intern here at the Joni and Friends International Disability Center, but your connection with our ministry goes way, way back, right?
Jessica: Yes, I’ve been involved with Joni and Friends for many, many years. We started going to Retreat in 1999, and then my father had served with Joni and Friends for the past 15 years as the U.S. Field Services Director.
Joni: Wonderful! Now when you said your family has been coming to Family Retreat we need to explain that you have a twin sister, and her name is Amanda, and she has cerebral palsy, and you have a little bit of cerebral palsy, right?
Jessica: I do, I just have a little bit. I can walk and talk and do everything else that a normal person can do.
Joni: I will attest to the fact that you do talk! It’s fun talking with you, Jessica. Now even at your age, and you are only 22 years old, I think — and you would probably disagree with me — you are an expert when it comes to disability. The other day you were giving me a drink of water, and, bless your heart, when I got my chin wet you simply wiped it with the back of your hand. I just thought that was great. Tell me how your family and Amanda’s special needs have shaped your work and your ministry for the future.
Jessica: Growing up in a family with disability, God just gave me a passion for people with disabilities. When I wiped your chin the other day, that was on instinct. That was just something that God has ingrained in me.
Joni: Not many 22 year olds would do that. And what’s really cool is that you had served as a student at Trinity International University. What was your major there?
Jessica: I will be graduating in May with a degree in communication, and I would love to serve with a Christian organization like Joni and Friends and to serve people with disabilities.
Joni: Well, I know you are also a writer of a blog. Yes, you are and you have occasionally shared about your own disability. Give me some insight about that because I think that’s really neat.
Jessica: I wrote a poem about two years ago called “The Voice for the Voiceless” and it really shared my heart about the disability and just my cry for people with disabilities, and how I want them to really be treated. I think there is so much injustice in that. And also when people come away from my blog, I just want them to come away with a sense of encouragement. I don’t really care about blog views or anything like that.
Joni: Well, I know that there are some special needs moms who are listening and some young people who have disabilities. Friend listening, I want you to take a minute and I want you to read Jessica’s blog. We have a link to it on our radio page today at joniandfriends.org, so go right to my radio page and there will be your link to hear all about Jessica’s insights. Now, Jess, you have to share at least one favorite memory of Family Retreats. I know you volunteer and I know you have also been there as a family. What’s a favorite remembrance?
Jessica: My favorite memory? The time I guess would be when all the families come in to Family Retreat. Just the joy on their faces is such a blessing and we clap and we cheer and it’s just so great for them to all be there.
Joni: …hold signs, wave banners, the whole thing. Well, Jessica would you please take a moment and encourage a young listener to come and serve as an intern with us here at Joni and Friends? But first, has it been a good experience for you?
Jessica: Honestly, this has been one of the best experiences of my entire 22 years of life.
Joni: No way! Are you serious?
Jessica: Yes, yes Joni.
Joni: I’m so honored. Wait until your dad hears that; I’m so excited.
Jessica: It has been an absolute joy and an honor to serve here.
Joni: Would you encourage other young people?
Jessica: Oh yes. If you are interested in disability and serving others, this is the place to do it.
Joni: Oh, cool! Friend listening, I hope you will go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and following the link to Jessica Ebersole’s blog. It’s called “My Beautiful Life” and I know you will be blessed reading it. Jess, God bless you and thank you for joining us today.
Jessica: Thank you so much.
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