You Gave Special Needs Families the Time of Their Lives!

By |Published On: October 5, 2020|Categories: Family Retreats, Inspiration, Stories|

Bryden, a medically fragile 19-year-old with Mitochondrial Disorder-Leigh’s syndrome, had the “time of his life” at our Arizona Half-Time Respite Program! After months of isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bryden was able to do crafts, play games, learn about prayer, dance and worship God in a safe and caring environment.

And while Bryden was enjoying this much-needed time of fellowship and interaction after so many months of being cooped up in the house, his parents were blessed with three hours together for the first time in way too long.

Exhausted from the 24/7 caregiving needs of their son, which include breathing treatments three times a day and feeding Bryden through a feeding tube implanted into his stomach, Traci and Barry experienced a “life-giving” transformation in their marriage. They felt completely confident that Bryden would be safe during the Half-Time Respite Program because we made sure there was a nurse at the event, as well as our highly trained staff and volunteers.

Traci had tears in her eyes when she explained how very much she and Barry needed this chance to reconnect as a couple, knowing that their family – and all the families at the event – were safe and protected.

 

And though staff and volunteers wore face masks and face shields, the joy of the Lord was clearly shining on the faces of everyone there!

Our brand-new Half-Time Respite Programs aren’t just serving families impacted by disability, they’re also being used as a training ground for local churches – teaching church members how to interact with children and adults with disabilities, and showing them how to put on additional respite events in the future. God is raising up the next generation of disability rights advocates and caregivers!

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Since 1979 Joni and Friends has committed to reaching and serving people with disabilities with practical help and the saving love of Jesus.

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