Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni Eareckson Tada (born October 15, 1949) is an evangelical Christian author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community."

Joni Eareckson Tada
Born (1949-10-15) October 15, 1949
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
OccupationAuthor, artist, singer, radio personality, advocate for the disabled
GenreChristian literature
SubjectNon-fiction
SpouseKen Tada
Website
www.joniandfriends.org

Early life

Joni Eareckson Tada was born in 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland, the youngest of four daughters. Her parents were named John and Lindy Eareckson.[1] Joni was named for her father, John Eareckson, so her name is pronounced like "Johnny".[1] Her father participated in the 1932 Olympics as an alternate for the United States wrestling team and was honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 1996.[2][3]

With the example of her parents, Tada lived a very active life all through her growing up years. She enjoyed riding horses, hiking, tennis, and swimming. On July 30, 1967, she dove into the Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water. She suffered a fracture between the fourth and fifth cervical levels and became a quadriplegic (or tetraplegic), paralyzed from the shoulders down.[1]

During Tada's two years of rehabilitation, according to her autobiography Joni, she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, and religious doubts. However, during occupational therapy, she learned to paint with a brush between her teeth and began selling her artwork. She also writes this way, although for most writing tasks she relies on voice recognition software. To date, she has written over forty books, recorded several musical albums, starred in an autobiographical movie of her life, and is an advocate for people with disabilities.[1]

Tada wrote of her experiences in her 1976 international best-selling autobiography, Joni: The unforgettable story of a young woman's struggle against quadriplegia & depression, which has been distributed in many languages. The book was made into a 1979 feature film of the same name, starring herself. Her second book, A Step Further, was released in 1978.[4]

Ministry and public life

Tada founded Joni and Friends in 1979, an organization to "accelerate Christian ministry in the disability community"[5] throughout the world. In 2007 the Joni and Friends International Disability Center in Agoura Hills, California, was established.[6]

Led by Tada (founder and CEO) and John Nugent (president and COO), the Joni and Friends International Disability Center runs a multi-faceted non-profit covering a number of program outlets. The longest running program is "Joni and Friends Radio", a five-minute radio program begun in 1982. It now runs four minutes in length and can be heard each weekday on over 1,000 broadcast outlets.[7] Tada also records a one-minute radio broadcast "Diamonds in the Dust" that airs daily.[7] Both programs have received awards: "Joni and Friends Radio" received the "Radio Program of the Year"[8] award from National Religious Broadcasters in 2002 and "Diamonds in the Dust" won the same award in 2011 in the short program.[9]

Other Joni and Friends programs include Family Retreats (a camp/retreat experience for families affected by disability),[8] Wounded Warrior Getaways (which offer a similar experience for families of Wounded Warriors),[10] and Wheels for the World (collects manual wheelchairs and other mobility devices which are refurbished by volunteers in prison restoration shops then shipped overseas where the wheelchairs are fitted by physical therapists to people in developing nations).[8] Joni and Friends also has produced 51 episodes of Joni and Friends TV,[11] overseen the formation of the Christian Institute on Disability (a training and advocacy arm of Joni and Friends), among other ventures.[12] While the main office of Joni and Friends still resides in Agoura Hills, California, smaller offices can be found across the United States.[13]

In 2005, Tada was appointed to the Disability Advisory Committee of the U.S. State Department.[14] Tada served on the National Council on Disability under Presidents Reagan and Bush in 1988. The Americans with Disabilities Act's first draft was authored by this council.[15]

Tada is a conference speaker. Her articles have been published in Christianity Today,[16] Today's Christian Woman,[17] The War Cry (Salvation Army),[18] and newspapers around the world. Tada has appeared several times on Larry King Live.[19] In 1989, Tada was a plenary speaker at the Second International Congress on World Evangelization in Manila. Also, in her appointment as the Lausanne Senior Associate for Disability Concerns, she served until 2013. As of 2017, Tada is still a board member of the Lausanne Movement.[20]

Joni sang "Alone Yet Not Alone" (music by Bruce Broughton, lyrics by Dennis Spiegel) for the film of the same name, which was nominated for Oscar in the Original Song category, but the Academy's board of governors voted to rescind the nomination.[21] With limited lung capacity due to her disability, Tada, had her husband, Ken, pushing on her diaphragm while she recorded the song to give her enough breath to hit the high notes. Tada has no professional training in music.[22][23]

As of 2017, Tada is an adviser on many organizations, such as the Board of Reference for the Christian Medical and Dental Society, Young Life Capernaum Board, CBM International, National Institute for Learning Disabilities, and the American Leprosy Mission.[7] She also served on Love and Action, Institute on Learning Disabilities, Disability Advisory Committee, New Europe Communications, Christian Writers Guild and honorary co-chair on the Presidential Prayer Team.[24] She has been interviewed in the Chicago Tribune.,[25] Ligonier Ministries,[26] and the Los Angeles Times.[27]

In November 2009, Tada signed an ecumenical statement known as the Manhattan Declaration calling on evangelicals, Catholics and Orthodox Christians to work towards changing laws which permit abortion, and other matters that go against their religious consciences.[28][29]

Awards

Degrees

She also holds the following honorary degrees:

Source: [45]

Books

Bibliography

Tada is the author of over 48 books on the subjects of disability and Christianity. Several of them have been children's books, including Tell Me The Promises, which received the Evangelical Christian Publishers' Association's (ECPA) Gold Medallion and the Silver Medal in the 1997 C.S. Lewis Awards, and Tell Me The Truth, which received the ECPA Gold Medallion in 1998.

The life story of Tada was used by Czech composer Ivan Kurz in his opera Vecerní shromáždení ketho (Evening Divine service).[46]

Written works[24]

  • Joni (1976) with Joe Musser (published as Joni: An Unforgettable Story)
  • A Step Further: growing closer to God through hurt and hardship (1978) with Steve Estes
  • The Great Alphabet Fight: and How Peace Was Made (1983) with Steve Jensen
  • Choices...Changes 1986
  • All God's Children: Ministry to the Disabled (1987) with Gene Newman
  • Friendship Unlimited: How You Can Help a Disabled Friend (1987) with Bev Singleton
  • Jeremy, Barnabas, and the Wonderful Dream (1987)
  • Meet My Friends (1987)
  • Darcy (1988)
  • Ryan and the Circus Wheels (1988) with Norman McGary
  • Secret Strength: For Those Who Search (1988)
  • Glorious Intruder: God's Presence in Life's Chaos (1989)[47]
  • Let God Be God (1989)
  • A Christmas Longing (1990)
  • Pursued (1990)
  • Seeking God (Reflections): My Journey of Prayer and Praise (1991)
  • A Step Further: Growing Closer to God Through Hurt & Friendship (1991)
  • Joni's Story (1992)
  • All God's Children: Guide to Enabling the Disabled (1992)
  • When Is It Right to Die?: Suicide, Euthanasia, Suffering, Mercy (1992) with Everett Koop
  • Darcy and the Meanest Teacher in the World (1993) with Steve Jensen
  • All God's Children: Ministry with Disabled Persons (1993) Gene Newman, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Diamonds in the Dust: 366 Sparkling Devotions (1993)
  • Just Like Everybody Else (1993) Jim Pierson, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • The Healing Promise: Is It Always God's Will to Heal? Will He Heal Me? (1994) Richard L. Mayhue, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Flights of Angels (1994) with others
  • Darcy's Dog Dilemma (1994) with Steve Jensen
  • Darcy's Great Expectations (1994) with Steve Jensen and LoraBeth Norton
  • A Quiet Place in a Crazy World (1994)
  • Heaven: Your Real Home...From a Higher Perspective (1995)
  • How to Create an Effective Disability Outreach in Your Church (1995) Steve Miller, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • The Life and Death Dilemma: Families Facing Health Care Choices (1995)
  • A Christmas Longing (1996)
  • Honestly (1996) Sheila Walsh, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Tell Me the Promises: A Family Covenant for Eternity (1996)[48]
  • When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty (1997)[35]
  • Tell Me the Truth: God's Eternal Truth for Families (1997) with Steve Jensen[49]
  • Barrier-free Friendships: Bridging the Distance Between You and Friends with Disabilities (1997)
  • God's Precious Love (1998)
  • More Precious Than Silver: 366 Daily Devotional Readings (1998)
  • I'll Be With You Always (1998)
  • Holiness in Hidden Places (1999)
  • Prayers from a Child's Heart (1999)
  • Heaven: What Will It Be Like (1999)
  • Acres of Hope: The Miraculous Story of One Family's Gift of Love to Children Without Hope (1999)
  • You've Got a Friend (1999)
  • The Amazing Secret (Darcy and Friends, #1) (2000)
  • O Worship The King (2000)
  • Forever Friends (2000) with Melody Carlson
  • The Unforgettable Summer (Darcy and Friends, #2) (2000) with Steve Jensen
  • Choices Changes (2000)
  • Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith (2001)
  • NIV Encouragement Bible (2001)
  • The Incredible Discovery of Lindsey Renee (2001)
  • O Come, All Ye Faithful: Hymns of Adoration and Joy to Celebrate His Birth (2001) with Robert Wolgemuth, Bobbie Wolgemuth, John MacaArthur
  • The Mission Adventure (2001)
  • Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith (2001)
  • God's Tender Care (2002)
  • On the Wings of the West Wind (2002)
  • What Wondrous Love Is This: Hymns of Wonder and Worship to Remember His Love (2002) with Bobbie Wolgemuth (with CD)
  • When Morning Gilds the Skies: Hymns of Heaven and Our Eternal Hope (2002) with Bobbie Wolgemuth (with CD)
  • The Hand That Paints The Sky: Delighting in the Creator's Canvas (2003)
  • The God I Love: A Lifetime of Walking with Jesus (2003)
  • Special Needs, Special Ministry (2003) (forewood)
  • Hymns for a Kid's Heart Vol. 1 (2003)[37] with Bobbie Wolgemuth
  • Hymns for a Kid's Heart Vol. 2 (2004) with Bobbie Wolgemuth
  • Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart (Hymns for a Kid's Heart Vol. 3) (2004) with Bobbie Wolgemuth
  • Passion Hymns for a Kid's Heart (Hymns for a Kid's Heart Vol. 4) (2004) with Bobbie Wolgemuth
  • 31 Days Toward Intimacy with God (2005)
  • Living Without Limits: 10 Keys to Unlocking the Champion in You (2005) Judy Siegle, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • Why (2005) Anne Graham Lotz, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • A Father's Touch (2005)
  • 365 Days of Hope: Encouragement for Those Facing Loss, Pain, and Disappointment (2006) with Dave Dravecky, Jan Dravecky
  • Pearls of Great Price (2006)
  • How To Be A Christian in a Brave New World (2006)
  • 31 Days toward Overcoming Adversity (2006)
  • 31 Days Toward Passionate Faith (2007)
  • Hope...the Best of Things (2008)
  • A Thankful Heart in a World of Hurt (2008)
  • A Lifetime of Wisdom: Embracing the Way God Heals You (2009)
  • Life in the Balance: Biblical Answers for the Issues of Our Day (2009)
  • Finding God in Hidden Places (2010)
  • A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God's Sovereignty (2010)
  • Life in the Balance: Leader's Guide: Raise Awareness & Move People to Action (2010)
  • Silver & Gold Devotional (2010)
  • When is it Right to Die? (2012)
  • Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: Life After Shock (2012)
  • Gaining a Hopeful Spirit (2012)
  • Anger: Aim it in the Right Direction (2012)
  • God's Sovereignty: God's Hand in Our Hardship (2012)
  • God's Hand in Our Hardship (2012)
  • Breaking the Bonds of Fear (2013)
  • Living a Life That Pleases God (2013)
  • No Longer Alone (2013)
  • When God Seems Unjust (2013)
  • Stressed to the Max: Peace for Women Under Pressure (2013)
  • Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story (2013)
  • Pain and Providence (2013)
  • Beyond Suffering Reader: A Christian View on Disability on Disability Ministry: A Cultural Adaptation (2014) with Steve Bundy, Pat Verbal
  • Speaking God's Language (2014)
  • Beside Bethesda: 31 Days Toward Deeper Healing (2014)
  • A Spectacle of Glory: God's Light Shining Through Me Every Day (2016)[50]
  • Grief (2016)
  • When God Breaks Your Heart: Choosing Hope in the Midst of Faith-Shattering Circumstances (2017) Ed Underwood, Joni Eareckson Tada
  • When Is It Right to Die?: A Comforting and Surprising Look at Death and Dying (2018)
  • Infinite Hope: In the Midst of Struggles (2018) Joni and Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada (forward)

Music

Tada received media attention in 2014 for her performance of the title song from the Christian film Alone yet Not Alone.[51] While the song's writers initially received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song, the nomination was later revoked for what the Academy deemed improper campaigning by the composer, Bruce Broughton.[52] Some controversy followed this decision, and subsequent media attention helped the song's official YouTube video, featuring Tada, surpass one million views.[46][53]

Discography
  • Journey's End (1979)[54]
  • Joni's Song (1981)
  • Spirit Wings (1982)
  • Lord of Love (1984)
  • I've Got Wheels! (1985) with Joni's Kids
  • Let God Be God (1989)
  • When Is It Right to Die? Suicide, Euthanasia, Suffering, Mercy (1992)
  • Harps & Halos: Songs About Heaven (1994)
  • Joni: An Unforgettable Story (2001) audio book
  • The Great Adventure: A Very Special Story for Children (2001) Narrator
  • God's Precious Love (2002)
  • God's Tender Care (2002)
  • When Morning Gildes the Skies, Great Hymns of Our Faith (2002)
  • Choose Life!, Focus on the Family (2004)
  • Alone yet Not Alone (2013)[53]

Source:[24]

Filmography
  • Joni (1979)
  • Reflections of His Love (1981)[55]
  • The Journey (1992)
  • Heaven: Our Eternal Home (2001)[56]
  • Joni and Friends (2007-2009) TV series[11]
  • The Terri Schiavo Story (2009)[57]
  • When Robin Prays (2009)[58]

Personal life

Joni married Ken Tada in 1982. For many years, Ken was a high school history teacher and coach, though he is now retired.[59] Ken is sansei, meaning that he is the third generation to be born in the United States after his family relocated from Japan.[60] Ken and Joni live in Calabasas, California.[61]

In 2010, Tada announced that she had been diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy.[62][63] Her treatment proved successful, and she was declared cancer-free in 2015.[64] In November 2018, Tada was diagnosed with a malignant nodule on her chest wall near the site of her original cancer.[64] Radiation treatments for the nodule proved successful and in July 2019 she announced that she had once again been declared cancer-free.[65]

References
  1. "Joni Eareckson Tada". A Minute with History's Women. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  2. "Wrestling Hall of Fame | Johnny Eareckson". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  3. Rev. Neil C. Damgaard, Th.M., D.Min. (March 25, 2018). "Notes from the Pulpit Ministry" (PDF). Dartmouth Bible Church. Retrieved December 2, 2018.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Joni Eareckson Tada". RightNowMedia. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  5. "About Us". Joni and Friends. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  6. "Disability Center has impressive debut". Ventury County Star. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  7. "Joni Eareckson Tada - Wilberforce Weekend". Colson Center. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  8. "Joni Eareckson Tada". Ambassador Advertising. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  9. "Diamonds in the Dust Named NRB Short Form Radio Program of the Year". Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  10. "Leaving It In God's Hands". Ambassador Advertising. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  11. "Joni and Friends Television Extends Broadcast to Korea". National Religious Broadcasters. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  12. "Free articles from the Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability". Disabled Christianity. September 17, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  13. "Area Ministries". Joni and Friends. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  14. "Advisory Committee on Persons with Disabilities". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  15. "Disability Campaign". National Council on Disability. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  16. "Joni Eareckson Tada: Suffering Helps Me See Heaven". Christianity Today. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  17. "Joni Eareckson Tada". Today's Christian Woman. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  18. "Bible Idiots – Movie Review". War Cry. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  19. "Joni Eareckson Tada story". Larry King Show. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  20. "Joni Eareckson Tada Member, Board of Directors". Lausanne Movement. November 9, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  21. "Oscar Nominee 'Devastated' by Disqualification; Tune Sung by Quadriplegic Singer".
  22. "Alone Yet Not Alone (Song) Performed by Joni Eareckson Tada".
  23. "Oscar Scandal: 3 Ways the Academy Could Change its Tune".
  24. "Tada, Joni Eareckson 1949-". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  25. "Paralyzed, but not in her faith". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  26. "A Purpose in the Pain: An Interview with Joni Eareckson Tada by Joni Eareckson Tada". Ligonier Ministries. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  27. Lobdell, William (August 7, 2004). "Daily She Says, 'I Can't,' Then Finds She Can". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  28. "Manhattan Declaration & Signers". DeMoss News. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  29. "Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience". Manhattan Declaration. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  30. "All Honorees". Academy of Achievement. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  31. Dart, John (June 24, 1993). "Evangelical Superstar Is Spreading Wings : Religion: Joni Eareckson Tada". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  32. "Gala Victory Awards® Past Honorees". MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  33. Johnson, Christine D. "Christian Retailing". Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  34. "Joni Eareckson Tada Presented with the First True Woman Award". National Religious Broadcasters. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  35. "2003 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners". Christian Book Expo. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  36. "ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients". ECPA. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  37. "2004 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners". Christian Book Expo. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  38. "Joni Eareckson Tada | World Changers". Indiana Wesleyan University. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  39. "Anne Graham Lotz wins Women in Christian Media award". Dallas News. January 28, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  40. "2011 Honorary Chairman, Joni Eareckson Tada". National Day of Prayer Task Force. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  41. "2018 Robert Neff Award". Moody Bible Institute. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  42. "Daniel of the Year". WORLD. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  43. "Joni Eareckson Tada". National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  44. "Joni Eareckson Tada to Receive Biola University's Charles W. Colson Award". Biola University. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  45. "Family Talk Broadcast". Dr. James Dobson. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  46. "Ivan K u r z". Archived from the original on May 28, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  47. "1990 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners". Christian Book Expo. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  48. "1997 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners". Christian Book Expo. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  49. "1998 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners". Christian Book Expo. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  50. "2017 Christian Book Award® Program Finalists". Christian Book Expo. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  51. "'Alone Yet Not Alone' Actress Views Oscar Controversy, Christian Movie". Christian Film Database. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  52. Fitzgerald, John (January 31, 2014). "'Alone Yet Not Alone': Inside the Conservative Christian Movie the Oscars Ousted". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  53. "Alone Yet Not Alone (Song) Performed by Joni Eareckson Tada". November 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2018 – via YouTube.
  54. "Joni (1979)". IMDb. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  55. "Reflections of His Love". Amazon. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  56. "Heaven: Our Eternal Home". Amazon. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  57. "The Terri Schiavo Story: Terri Schaivo's family, Joni Eareckson Tada, George Felos, Ken Carpenter: Movies & TV". Amazon. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  58. "When Robin Prays". Amazon. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  59. "He Married a Quadriplegic--For Better or Worse". ams vans. August 1, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  60. "Joni Eareckson Tada". Woman Alive. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  61. "Joni Eareckson Tada Was Evacuated Due To The California Wildfires. Now She Encourages All Affected". God TV. November 13, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  62. "Joni Eareckson Tada: Breast Cancer Update". Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly - PBS. June 7, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  63. Tada, Joni Eareckson (October 31, 2013). "Life After Breast Cancer - Update". HuffPost. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
  64. "Joni Eareckson Tada Has New Cancer Diagnosis, Asks for Prayers for Upcoming Surgery". CBN News. November 19, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  65. "Joni Eareckson Tada announces she's cancer-free: 'quite miraculous'". www.christianpost.com.

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