Chicago’s Ambassador of Joy
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
John 3:1
Tony has Down syndrome and substantial hearing loss.
“When he speaks,” explains his mom, Alyce, “It is with enough volume so he can hear himself.”
His loud speaking voice often makes a few heads turn, but the friends Tony has made at our Chicago Family Retreat enjoy his broad smile and joyful disposition. Tony has scores of friends who cannot wait to see him each year at Family Retreat.
It’s no wonder Tony has earned the titles “Ambassador of Joy” and “Life of the Party!”
“I see Down syndrome as a gift,” Alyce says. “I get to see love and joy in action each day.”
“If you don’t know Tony when you arrive at Family Retreat, you will by the second day. He pours himself into everything he does!”
But Tony has faced some unhappy times, too, especially when his father, Paul, passed away. Alyce had pictures of Paul in their home, but the sight of them was too painful for Tony to bear. He turned his father’s pictures face-down or hid them in drawers around the house.
When Tony lost his dad, it appeared he had also lost his joy.
When Alyce took Tony to Family Retreat after his father’s death, she wondered if he would retain his lighthearted, joyful reputation.
Would Tony ever feel joyful again? Would the smile ever return to his face?
As God would have it, the volunteer paired with Tony had lost both parents at an early age. He was able to understand and help Tony process through his pain in a way no one else could.
“The connection was incredible,” remembers Alyce. “It made a huge difference.”
When they returned home, Tony restored the pictures of his father that he had hidden or turned face-down. And God restored Tony’s joy.
And now Alyce is part of our weekly support group for the moms of children with disabilities.
“I won’t miss that for anything! It is set in stone on my schedule.”
Alyce
Alyce explains that families living with disability often have two sets of friends.
“One set is outside the disability community, and the other set has children with special needs. You can say things to that second group that the first group would not understand.”
And that’s the group God brought Alyce and Tony to through Joni and Friends Chicago.
At Family Retreat, Alyce shares, “Nobody stares. You feel like you’re a part of the rest of the world. It’s a feeling you just can’t get anywhere else.”
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
John 3:1
Support Joni and Friends Illinois
You can be part of all God is doing through Joni and Friends Chicago! Show your generous support today so that more and more families living under the strain of disability can experience the miraculous power of Jesus. Your support restores their joy and give great hope!
