Joni Eareckson Tada, author, radio host and founder of Joni’s Friends Ministries, is recovering at home after suffering from double pneumonia.
In a Facebook post published on September 21, the author, who featured a smiling Tada and her husband Ken, told her fans about her recent 16-day stay in the hospital and said God had brought her through it.
“Like many of the people we serve who often struggle with health issues, I can say to them, ‘God saved me! After 16 days in the hospital battling double pneumonia, I’m home, happy, and recovering and rest. The hospital gave me oxygen, but it was only temporary,” 73-year-old Tada explained.
Tada, an advocate for people with disabilities, said God’s promises in the book of Isaiah gave her comfort during her ordeal.
“I’m so grateful for all Ken (and a few good friends) did to take care of me… they made sure I got my rest. At night, God’s promise in Isaiah 43:1-2 was great of comfort. : “Don’t be afraid, for you are mine. I will be with you as you walk through deep waters. When you cross a difficult river, you won’t drown. “Yes, Jesus was with me during every scan, X-ray, blood draw and respiratory treatment,” Tada wrote.
“This whole experience reminded me how important it is to share the saving message of Jesus with the families we serve. That’s why we do what we do at Joni’s Friends, and I’m so excited to be able to share it with you and every friend of the ministry ,” he continued.
“Thank you for your love, prayers and support…and for cheering with me and Ken as I get better every day!” she said.
“Onward, upward…” Tada concluded.
This isn’t the first time Tada has struggled with his health. She has been a fighter since becoming a quadriplegic at a young age and previously battled cancer. As CBN News reported in 2019, he announced that he was cancer-free and thanked his followers for their prayers.
Eight years ago, Tada was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free until tests revealed a small nodule at the mastectomy site contained a cancerous tumor.
However, after a PET scan, he got good news from his doctor.
“Considering how aggressive this recurrent cancer is, this news is pretty amazing,” Tada said. “We’ve gotten rid of more of our battles with cancer at this point.”
Ukrainian White Cross Order of Honor
On September 22, Tada announced in a Facebook post that she and her department had been awarded the prestigious Order of Honor “With Honor” by the White Cross of Ukraine for her role in helping to rescue disabled Ukrainians during the invasion of Ukraine.
He also included a photo of the medal and former Joni and Friends partners Serhii and Nataliya Bolchuk, who traveled to California to present the medal to Tada and its ministry at its headquarters.
The medal is awarded to non-Ukrainians on behalf of the Ukrainian government. The award honors those who played an important role in helping their country during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Among the winners are volunteers, rescue workers, philanthropists and experts who actively help and support Ukraine.
Tada wrote in the post: “I am so grateful and feel so honored… But, of course, the real honor belongs to all the strong and brave fighters who continue to fight in Ukraine, and to those, like our friend Serhii Nataliya Bolchuk, who continue to fight for Ukraine Disability Services.”
CBN News reported last April that Tada’s unit helped rescue more than 300 disabled people who were trapped in Ukraine after the Russian invasion.
She spoke to CBN’s PrayerLink about the difficulties faced by many, describing their plight as dire.
“Imagine if you were a quadriplegic like me,” Tada said in the interview. “I can’t use my hands. I’m in a wheelchair and if you’re on the seventh floor of an apartment building and you’re being bombed in Mariupol and there’s a rocket attack, you can’t jump out of bed and grab something, Run out the front door and run to the border.”
“You can’t. That’s why a lot of disabled people are trapped in apartment buildings. A lot of them are in basements,” he continued.
He explained how his department was working to get many people out of the war zone.
“We have been working with our partner Galyna,” Tada said. “Even in the most dangerous areas of eastern Ukraine, Galina and our team have been searching for these people to rescue them and bring them across the borders to safe havens in Poland, Germany and the Netherlands. So far we have More than 300 disabled people and carers have been evacuated and we are still actively working.”
A diving accident over 50 years ago left the Jonny and Friends founder unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair.
Since then, his faith in God has fueled his ministry to people with disabilities. For the past 47 years, the ministry has been dedicated to reaching and serving people with disabilities, providing not only practical help but the saving love of Jesus Christ.
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