Joni: Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and it’s almost time for “Heart for the Disabled.” Hi everybody and yup it’s that time of year again. We’re coming up on the week when we share the stories of special needs families who need a word of encouragement from you. And last year, you friends listening, oh my goodness, you pulled out all the stops and you wrote the most beautiful letters, cards, you sent in gifts, you sent in poems, copies of hymns … and it blessed the hearts of all the people to whom we sent those valentines last year. And one of those persons who was blessed is my friend, Sara. Sara, thanks for joining me on the phone.
Sara: Oh not a problem, Joni.
Joni: And Sara, first tell our listening friends a little bit about your disability.
Sara: Well, I was born missing both tibias and I had seven toes on one foot, eight on the other. And I was pretty much premature; I weighed 2 lbs. 7 oz. Long story short, both my feet were amputated before I turned two. And then my fingers were also webbed together when I was born and so the doctors did multiple reconstructive surgeries to separate them and try to restore function to them.
Joni: Wow! That’s a lot … And life can be pretty challenging, huh?
Sara: Yes, it can.
Joni: I remember last year, I had it on my heart to ask our listeners to write you and they sure did. You want to describe what happened on Valentine's last year when you opened up your mailbox?
Sara: Well, I had been going through about four or five days of just really, deep, dark depression. I hate to admit it, but it’s the truth. And just feeling like I was all alone and I could not … I just had this overwhelming feeling of being exhausted; I just felt tired—not physically tired, but just emotionally, even spiritually. When you deal with chronic pain and feeling trapped inside a body that doesn’t work the way that you want it to can be very overwhelming, mentally and emotionally, and sometimes even spiritually.
Joni: Wow.
Sara: And so, I was just having a few days of just asking God, “God … do you see me? Do you understand where I am? Do you know where I’m at?” And, I asked for a miracle. I asked him to tangibly remind me of how much he loved me and the very next day, I got this big, humongous box in the mail from Joni and Friends.
Joni: Oh my goodness, God answered your prayers.
Sara: Yeah, I cried for about five straight minutes.
Joni: And you know, I saw the photo of you. (In fact, listening friend, I’ve got it posted up on my radio page today at joniandfriends.org). Sara there’s this awesome photo of you, without your prosthetic legs on, you just sitting in your living room, and you’re surrounded by cards and letters and Valentine notes and gifts and … People even sent you gift cards, didn’t they?!
Sara: Yes, they did. They sent a few.
Joni: Wow! What did you say to the Lord after you opened that box?
Sara: I just kept saying, “Thank You.” I was just really, really overwhelmed; it was a complete surprise to me. I had no idea about the radio program that had aired and so it was a very humbling experience, because, you know, as a disabled individual sometimes it’s hard to accept things when you want to so badly provide for yourself. So it was very humbling but also encouraging; anytime I feel my hopes slipping all I have to do is look at this mountain of cards and gifts and remember that even when I feel all alone, I’m not alone.
Joni: And Sara, next week I’m going to be sharing the names of five more special needs families and I’m going to be asking listeners to pick up a pen and pad of paper and jot a note—and what would you tell them? Would you encourage them to participate in “Heart for the Disabled” ?
Sara: Oh, absolutely. I think it’s a beautiful thing when the body of Christ brings healing and restoration to a disabled individual by becoming and providing what is needed for that individual in practical, tangible ways.
Joni: Sara, you do that so well. I know when I see you at Family Retreats reaching out to other people with disabilities, so thank you Sara for having a heart for the disabled.
Sara: Thank you, Joni, for everything you’ve done.
Joni: And thank you, listening friend.
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PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376