Lean On Jesus
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, with a special interview today.
And I’ve got in studio with me, Shauna Amick.
SHAUNA: Hey there, Joni.
JONI: Good to be with you. And, Shauna, you’re a mom of a young person with Down syndrome. It can be pretty hard, right? Don’t you think? Raising a child with Down syndrome?
SHAUNA: Yeah, I have to admit, it is. I mean, parenting any child is hard, right? But parenting one with disabilities – we watch our children go through trials, and it’s hard on them, and it’s heartbreaking on us as moms. And, you know, any time disability is in there, it adds to the strain. I know that as a mom of three children; one with Down syndrome. And, you know, I’m guessing your own mom knew that, too?
JONI: Well, way back when, yes; when I was 17, I’m sure my mother struggled like any special needs mom. I remember, Shauna, she’d say to me, “Joni, you gotta do what I do. Just take one day at a time. There’s no grace available for tomorrow, only for today, sweetheart.” Wow. Thinking of my own mother doing that. And there are constantly mothers with special needs children doing it every single day. They’ve got to remind themselves that the Lord is stronger than anyone could ever imagine. And they’ve got to remember that these things – disabilities, broken necks, Down syndrome – it all happens that they might not rely on their selves, but on God. I think that’s from 2 Corinthians chapter 1, right?
SHAUNA: That’s right. Yeah, and, you know, the Word, and your mom’s words, are so wise and timeless. Because relying on the Lord is the only way we’re gonna get through our suffering with grace. And, you know, I can’t help but think of our new friends, Karen and Rebecca.
JONI: You know, I’m so glad you brought them up. I’m gonna tell our listening friends. Rebecca, okay, is a beautiful young lady with Down syndrome, but not long ago she had an accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. So, you gotta picture this. She’s in a wheelchair, and she also has Down syndrome. So, you can imagine, Rebecca’s challenges are a lot.
SHAUNA: Well, they are, they’re many. And yet her mom, Karen, is quick to point out that Rebecca is always looking forward. She’s been given this amazing attitude by the Lord that just never looks back. So, instead of focusing on limitations, she finds stuff to get excited about and look forward to. Well, Rebecca feels that way. But often, Karen admits, it pains her to watch Rebecca struggling, especially emotionally. So, we know, Joni that social gatherings are difficult enough for people with Down syndrome. Cause, let’s face it – they’re typically focused around activities that – they’re just not wheelchair friendly.
JONI: Well, I’ve been there. I understand that.
SHAUNA: And, you know, now Rebecca, she can’t carpool with her friends on outings anymore. She has to rely even more on her mom, and her mom has to rely even more on God to give enough strength for the day.
JONI: Well, for any special needs mother listening, I’ve got to say, I remember Karen telling me that her daughter Rebecca’s favorite song is from “Finding Nemo,” when times get tough. Here, let’s play just a little bit of it.
DORY: When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do?
MARLIN: I don’t want to know what you gotta do.
DORY: (singing) Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
MARLIN: Dory, no singing.
DORY: (vocalizing) Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. I love to swim. When you want to swim, you want to …
MARLIN: See, I’m gonna get stuck now with that song. Now it’s in my head!
JONI: I think that song is in my head, too! So, what do you gotta do when time’s get tough?
JONI and SHAUNA: (singing) Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.
SHAUNA: I’m glad it’s stuck in my head! Because I know I need that reminder every single day. You know, when we’re under great pressure, when it’s beyond our ability to endure, and when our hearts ache over our struggles our children are going through, well, what do we do? We look to Jesus and we …
JONI and SHAUNA: Just keep swimming!
JONI: When your trials are many, think of Karen and her daughter with Down syndrome, Rebecca, who is also in a wheelchair, who just keeps swimming forward. Visit joniradio.org. You gotta see a photo of me and Rebecca that I’ve posted. And you will also find a link to Shauna’s blog post about this special needs mom and daughter. And so, friends …
JONI and SHAUNA: (singing) Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming …
JONI: … closer and closer to Jesus!
SHAUNA: Amen!
© Joni and Friends
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World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome DayTomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day, and we’re celebrating Rebecca, one of our special friends with Down syndrome.
Read Rebecca’s story today on the blog!
