Joni and Friends Blog
“Behold, I am doing a new thing!” says the Lord. “Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19 It’s a New Year filled with God’s provision and new beginnings! I know we’ve all had our share of hardships in 2020, but now, here at Joni and Friends, we’re rolling up our sleeves…
Read MoreWhen people learn that most quadriplegics cannot bathe or toilet themselves, feed or dress themselves, they are quick to think, What a poor quality of life! They think a good quality of life means higher pay, good health, or a stable home. Hardly ever does someone associate a “good” quality of life with disability. Having…
Read MoreCOVID-19 separated us dangerously. As in any crisis, the threats of the virus disproportionately affected the vulnerable and marginalized. Hospitals had no choice but to conserve very limited medical supplies. Without serious advocacy and intervention, this meant that people with disabilities were often last in line, in some cases, left alone to fend for themselves.…
Read More“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, NLT The other day, a friend lamented aloud about a well-thought-out plan that had come to nothing. She sighed, then ruefully said, “Man plans and…
Read More“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:6 Dan and Sandra Rivera were super excited when they heard about Family Retreat. Their sons DeMetrius (19), Nathan (11) and Isaac (6) matched their parents’ excitement. Both DeMetrius and Nathan have global developmental delays, making their day-to-day caregiving routines incredibly complicated – and making vacations impossible. Little Isaac was perhaps anticipating Family Retreat most of all. As he explained, “I was looking…
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