Celebrating Joni Eareckson Tada
Before the books, the speaking tours, or the worldwide ministry, Joni Eareckson Tada was just a teenager growing up right here in Baltimore, riding horses, playing sports, and living an active life. But everything changed in 1967 when a diving accident in the Chesapeake Bay left her paralyzed from the shoulders down.
At just 17 years old, Joni faced a future she never could have imagined. The physical pain was overwhelming, but so was the spiritual battle. She wrestled deeply with God, questioning her purpose, her worth, and whether her life still mattered.
But in that valley, God met her. Joni once said, “Suffering is the textbook that will teach you who you really are.” Through her suffering, she discovered a calling greater than anything she had planned for herself.
Refusing to let her disability define her, Joni taught herself to paint by holding a brush between her teeth. She became a gifted artist, an author of dozens of books, and a voice of hope to people around the world living with disabilities.
In 1982, Joni’s story reached even more hearts when she launched “Joni and Friends” on radio, offering encouragement, biblical truth, and a reminder that every life has dignity and purpose. Her voice became a daily companion for listeners across the country, including right here in Baltimore.
Through her ministry, Joni has advocated for people with disabilities, providing wheelchairs, resources, and the love of Christ to millions across the globe. And through it all, she has never stopped pointing people back to the hope she found in Jesus.
Joni once said, “He has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me.” It is through that honest, powerful faith that she has brought comfort to countless lives.
From the shores of the Chesapeake to airwaves around the world, Joni Eareckson Tada’s story reminds us that when we place our brokenness in God’s hands, He writes a greater story than we ever could on our own.
Join us this month, on-air and online, during Christian Heritage Month on BRIGHT-FM as we journey through history and celebrate the rich legacy of those who answered God’s call.
