Letter from Joni Eareckson Tada

[titanium4motion]

While looking for my sun glasses in my dresser I found this letter I received from Joni Eareckson Tada while I was still in the hospital. Then, I didn't know who she was. I showed my physical therapist the letter and she took it to show other therapists I received this letter from her. I was half way through my stay at Lorain Community Hospital; postmarked June 5th, 1987. I left the hospital August 30th, 1987.

She states, "Still, it's hard to think about living another 20 years in a wheelchair. But ..." I past that point already. I am going on 23 years now. It is a way of life now. For others who are fresh out the hospital it gives hope.

My real name was removed from the letter and envelop for privacy.


titanium4motion

[Mona~on~wheels]

Cool saw her movie about her accident when I was still in school.
She's helped thousands of people & paints beautiful pictures with her mouth.
I watch her on her tv show every week.
How did she know about you?

[betheny]

Somebody left a copy of that (to me, appallingly serene, spiritual, blahblahblah bs) book when I was in rehab.

To date, nobody has confessed.

I gotta hand it to her-she apparently knows that book doesn't set well with some of the newly injured, judging by her letter. Nice of her to write. My rehab roomie had a letter from CR, she was a C2 injury also.

Thank God I found John Hockenberry. HIS book got me through rehab. I required more grit and anger than Joni was laying down, to keep me driven. I needed to believe that failure was not an option. Not that Joni was a failure, she is just so darned accepting. And grateful. Hockenberry gave me sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, and a truly exciting life to aspire to. Joni gave me church.

Still, nice of her to contact you.

[Curt Leatherbee]

I got a letter from Larry Flint when I was first paralyzed He said Welcome to the F in club my friend.

But, ya seriously I always liked everything I've read about Joni, she is a pretty amazing woman even though I dont believe in the stuff she does. I think worship is a waste of time, I'd rather dedicate my time to Sailing and Handcycling. to each their own I guess.

[Sue Pendleton]

Joni should take her gimp accepting butt and get a real job. She preys on the believing disabled as much as all the other send me every dime you have tele-evangelists. She needs a real job not a tax free one. JMHO

[tgoodwin]

Joni handles her injury the best way she knows how...if worship works for her...great. No reason to be bitter against her because it isn't your bag. She sent a letter to my son too...never asked for anything in return for what it's worth. In the 1960's when she was injured, people believed the doctors when they were told, get used to the chair...it's your future. Wait...what am I saying...doctors still say that!

[cass]

interesting this should come up now. a very dear friend of mine recently ran into joni inadvertently and stood in line to talk to her about me. joni asked for my address, wrote, sent me a couple of things. it was very nice of her to take the time.

i, too, was given the book, etc. in rehab. in fact, joni rehabbed where i did. was too soon for me, too. her recent letter to me and enclosures meant a lot. esp. the dvd where her pain is evident and she talks about taking her w/c to heaven w/her when she dies and she says something like, now god, you can send that thing to hell (meaning chair). it's a good dvd.

and no, she didn't ask for money.

[BeeBee]

just out of the blue, I read her book while in high school. Who knew I'd need that information 25 years later.

[Van Quad]

I received three copies while in rehab. I'm looking for a fourth to raise my reading table.

[bollefen]

VQ that is too freakin funny.

b

[WheelieMike]

Joni should take her gimp accepting butt and get a real job. She preys on the believing disabled as much as all the other send me every dime you have tele-evangelists. She needs a real job not a tax free one. JMHO

So Sue, I'm a little fuzzy, tell me how you really feel. While I agree she has done some good things, she comes across the same way to me.

[Sue Pendleton]

So Sue, I'm a little fuzzy, tell me how you really feel. While I agree she has done some good things, she comes across the same way to me.

This is an R rated open forum Mike. Now if it were members.. Personally, I think the lady has had "issues" since she was named "Joni" and her family pronounces it "Johnny". Think Dad was expecting a quarterback?

[harley-lynn]

I met her twice in person and she was quite nice...I read both of her books too...She handles her life the way she wants to and I respect that...everyone deals with it in their own way...and to me she's honest about her feelings about it...

[sjean423]

I received a note from her, and a book a few years back. My uncle met her at a conference, and gave her my name. I don;t agree with her philosophy, but it was nice of her to take the time. I have no idea what ever happened to the book tho, or I;d send it on to you Van Q.

[Sue Pendleton]

I met her twice in person and she was quite nice...I read both of her books too...She handles her life the way she wants to and I respect that...everyone deals with it in their own way...and to me she's honest about her feelings about it...

Yea, I guess whatever gets you through the day thing is up to her, Harley-Lynn. I just get highly upset when she has suddenly appeared on my TV screen and wonder if she realizes that many people will think she speaks for all of us. Her books short of miracuously winding up on the Best Sellers List should be in Christen book stores not Borders unless back in their religious area not in self-help. And, IMHO, all those shows on CBN and other such networks should pay taxes on their profits the same as CBS, TNT and CNN.

I was never too thrilled with the Army chaplain showing up when I was slowly being taken out of the coma while I was so fuzzy brained and covered by the equivalent of a large towel. This, I later learned, is the guy who gave me last rites. Last rites? Anyone who knew me knew that would not be my ideal idea for my possible soon to be death and is there at least a Unitarian in the house? I had left the Army almost 7 years previously. And then the dude kept showing up when I was barely able to say a full sentence without needing a breath between each word and a nap at the end. Six or so weeks later he had his counterpart at Bethesda coming over to NRH on my behalf. I very quickly let him know, politely, that I really did not follow the party line, Episcopalian, anymore and hadn't for many, many years. This one was nice enough to ask why he had gotten the word that I appreciated these visits. I explained the inability at first to object. Then I told him to feel very free to call on my husband who did appear to appreciate the comforting words and traditions. A Catholic might be reqested but he's not overly picky. Do call first and prepare to meet over lunch at the nearest officer's club or Burger King unless he had a clearance to get into my spouse's offices. Home was out as we were technically homeless as our place was rented out when we moved to Germany. I cannot even imagine a priest entering our friend's house where he was staying. I am a reasonably good Pagan. Our friend while a magnificient friend has made sinning in the christian world a goal in this life. Sins with hot, slightly younger women preferred-often.

IOWs? The religious types should ask the patient if they would like the company/prayers/whatever and ask in such a way that at our weakest we can squeak out a polite, very weak NO and that's it.

What would have helped get me through the day a little better back then would have been a visit from the Chippendales. OK, a clothing designer.