Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada … and what will they think of next?!
Thanks for spending these few minutes with me here on "Joni and Friends,” where I always enjoy sharing stories of inspiration. And, boy, was I inspired recently when I went up to the San Francisco Bay Area to promote our Family Retreats. It was such a blessing to speak to over 6,000 people from dozens of churches, and cast a vision for them to reach more people with disabilities with the Gospel. It was also my chance to get more volunteers on board to serve at our retreats for special needs families.
But I must tell you about one little boy in particular. On Sunday night at the closing service at one of the churches, I spent a lot of time as I always do greeting people after the meeting. I noticed one family in line: mom and dad with their little son in his wheelchair, and obviously two brothers on either side of the chair. This was one happy family, I could tell. And I understood why when they finally reached me. I learned that the boy in the wheelchair, his name is Kevin, and he is 11 years old and has cerebral palsy. Although Kevin is non-verbal, he is able to communicate with an electronic board that he operates with his eyes; the sensor on the board ‘reads’ where his eyes are focusing on the board and then it ‘voices’ the sentences he constructs with his eyes. And, oh, is this young man and his family happy about this wonderful device.
In fact, after I met the family, Kevin with his bright face and big smile took great effort to lean forward, steady his eyes, and then, when he seemed to be focusing on the right spot, immediately, the communication board said, “Hello Joni, I very much enjoyed your message this evening!” He constructed that sentence all by himself, just by looking at the letters and looking at words; and, boy, when this kid was able to get in the right position with no spasms, was he a whiz at typing quickly with his eyes (that’s right, his eyes). His parents patted his shoulder; they were so proud of him. And so were his brothers! I was, too; in fact, I was absolutely amazed at this 11-year-old and what he was able to do—what he was able to say—with his incredible communication board. The fact that it can sense where you’re looking, and choose words and phrases with you just blinking your eyes! What will they think of next! It is heartwarming to see how digital technology has really altered the landscape for so many, many disabled children and adults. I wish you could see Kevin’s communication board. It’s why I posted a photo of him on my radio page today; you’ve just got to see this kid and his great smile, not to mention his nifty digital communication board! Kevin loves the Lord Jesus and he loves that he can read his Bible on his special board. I guess whether it’s on the printed page or through digital imaging, God says in Isaiah chapter 55, “[My Word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire.”
And the best part is, this little family is planning to come to Family Retreat—unfortunately it won’t happen this year in the Bay Area because both of our Family Retreats got filled up so quickly about a month ago. But next year they plan to be the first in line! Oh, and by the way, many of our Family Retreats are already be filled with special needs families, they are maxed out, but we still need volunteers. And I would like you to consider serving with us this summer. Just go to my radio page at joniandfriends.org and click on the video that shows you exactly what serving as a volunteer would look like. Believe me, you would be so blessed working with special needs families like, well … like Kevin’s. Oh, and don’t forget to take a look at that wonderful photo of Kevin and like it so that all your Facebook friends can see it, too.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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