Joni Eareckson Tada facts for kids

Joni Eareckson Tada (born October 15, 1949) is an American author, artist, and radio host. She is also the founder of Joni and Friends, an organization that helps people with disabilities.

Joni's Early Life and Injury

Joni Eareckson was born in 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the youngest of four daughters. Her father, John Eareckson, was an athlete who participated in the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Joni grew up enjoying many sports like riding horses, hiking, tennis, and swimming. When she was 17, on July 30, 1967, she had a diving accident in the Chesapeake Bay. She misjudged how shallow the water was.

This accident caused a serious injury to her neck. She became a quadriplegic, which means she was paralyzed from her shoulders down. This changed her life completely.

Learning to Adapt

Even though she was paralyzed, Joni found new ways to express herself. During her therapy, she learned to paint by holding a brush between her teeth. She started selling her artwork, which was very inspiring.

She also learned to write this way. For most of her writing today, she uses special voice recognition software. Joni has written over 40 books and recorded several music albums. She even starred in a movie about her own life.

Joni wrote about her experiences in her 1976 book, Joni: The unforgettable story of a young woman's struggle against quadriplegia & depression. This book became a best-seller around the world. In 1980, it was made into a movie called Joni, where she played herself.

Joni and Friends: Helping Others

In 1979, Joni founded an organization called Joni and Friends. Its goal is to help people with disabilities around the world. In 2007, the Joni and Friends International Disability Center was opened in Agoura Hills, California.

Joni leads the organization as its founder and CEO. Joni and Friends runs many different programs. One of its longest-running programs is "Joni and Friends Radio." This short radio program started in 1982 and can be heard on over 1,000 radio stations every weekday.

Joni also records another short radio feature called "Diamonds in the Dust." Both of her radio programs have won awards for being excellent.

Programs and Outreach

Joni and Friends offers several helpful programs:

• Family Retreats: These are special camp experiences for families who have a member with a disability.
• Wounded Warrior Getaways: Similar retreats for families of military members who have been injured.
• Wheels for the World: This program collects wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Volunteers in prisons fix them up. Then, the wheelchairs are sent overseas to people in developing countries who need them. Physical therapists help fit the wheelchairs to the people.

Joni and Friends has also created a TV show called Joni and Friends TV. They also formed the Christian Institute on Disability, which trains people and speaks up for those with disabilities. While their main office is in California, they have smaller offices across the United States.

Advocacy and Public Speaking

President George W. Bush speaks about human cloning in 2002. Joni Eareckson Tada, a disability advocate, is pictured to the right of the podium.

Joni Eareckson Tada is a strong voice for people with disabilities. In 2005, she was chosen to be part of the Disability Advisory Committee for the U.S. State Department. She also served on the National Council on Disability under Presidents Reagan and Bush.

This council helped write the first draft of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This important law helps protect the rights of people with disabilities in the United States.

Joni is also a popular speaker at conferences. Her articles have been published in many magazines and newspapers worldwide. She has appeared on TV shows like Larry King Live. She also advises many organizations that help people.

Music and Books

Joni received a lot of attention in 2014 for singing the title song from the Christian film Alone yet Not Alone. Because of her disability, she has limited lung capacity. Her husband, Ken, had to gently push on her diaphragm while she recorded the song to help her get enough breath for the high notes.

Joni has written over 48 books about disability and Christianity. Many of her books are for children. For example, Tell Me The Promises and Tell Me The Truth both won awards for being excellent Christian books.

Personal Life

Joni married Ken Tada in 1982. Ken used to be a high school history teacher and coach, but he is now retired. Ken's family came from Japan, and he is the third generation to be born in the United States. Joni and Ken live in Calabasas, California.

In 2010, Joni shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She received treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2015. In 2018, the cancer returned, but after more treatments, she was declared cancer-free again in 2019.

Awards and Recognition

Joni Eareckson Tada has received many awards for her inspiring work and advocacy. Some of these include:

• 1979: Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
• 1985: First woman to be named "Layperson of the Year" by the National Association of Evangelicals.
• 1993: "Churchwoman of the Year" by the Religious Heritage Foundation.
• 2001: Inducted into the Christian Booksellers Association's Hall of Honor.
• 2003: Lifetime Achievement Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.
• 2009: Inducted into the Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers.
• 2011: Named the Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer.
• 2012: Inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
• 2017: Named Daniel of the Year by WORLD News Group.

Honorary Degrees

Joni has also received several honorary degrees from different universities, recognizing her contributions and achievements.

Images for kids

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  In Spanish: Joni Eareckson Tada para niños