Joni and Friends

For the past 40 years, it has been our mission to present the hope of the Gospel to people affected by disability and their families through our programs and outreaches around the world. We energize the church and our community, moving people from lack of awareness to including everyone into the fabric of worship, fellowship, and outreach. We also train and mentor people with disability to exercise their gifts of leadership and service in their churches and communities. Joni and Friends was founded by Joni Eareckson Tada who in 1967 was injured in a diving accident at 17 years old, becoming a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations. She founded Joni and Friends in 1979 to provide Christ-centered ministry to special-needs families, as well as training for churches. Joni and Friends serves thousands of special needs families through Family Retreats and has delivered over 170,000 wheelchairs and Bibles to needy individuals with disabilities in developing nations through Wheels for the World. Joni and Friends also provide church training at local and national disability ministry conferences. 2019 is a milestone year, marking the 40th anniversary of Joni and Friends ministry.