Joni and Friends Makes an Ongoing Difference for Families Living with Disability

By Joni and Friends|Published On: March 12, 2024|Categories: Family Retreats, Marriage Getaway|

Early in their marriage, Chris and Kayla didn’t foresee disability coming into their life. When their son, Holston, was two years old, the couple found out they were having twins—an extremely rare set of identical twins known as mono mono twins.

Chris and Kayla found out early that the pregnancy was high risk. And at just 26 weeks, the twin girls—Morgan and Teagan—came into the world. After only two weeks, Teagan passed away. And Morgan spent 122 days in the NICU before coming home.

When Life Changes Forever…

When Chris and Kayla brought baby Morgan home, not only did they carry the heavy grief of Teagan’s loss—but they also faced a new reality as parents of a medically fragile child. Busy with necessary specialist visits, therapy sessions, and medical appointments, Chris and Kayla struggled with feelings of isolation and grief over missing out on a typical parenting experience.

When Morgan was 18 months old, doctors diagnosed her with cerebral palsy. While coming to terms with the diagnosis and the ongoing care Morgan needed, Chris, Kayla, and Holston struggled with loneliness. They needed support.

Finding Connection at Marriage Getaway

When they learned about Joni and Friends, Chris and Kayla saw the opportunity to find something their whole family desperately missed: connection with others who could relate to their life with disability.

Eager to meet other parents facing similar challenges, Chris and Kayla signed up for a Marriage Getaway in their area. And the Marriage Getaway experience provided just the encouragement and sense of belonging they needed. Bonding with other parents over shared challenges, victories, medical providers, treatment options, and struggles, Chris and Kayla quickly made friends.

Like many other couples who come to Marriage Getaway, Chris and Kayla also needed refreshment and encouragement in their relationship with one another. They found that through the pastoral teaching, time to reconnect with each other, and time with other couples.

“We left that weekend recharged and committed to finding a way to maintain connections with others on similar journeys,” says Kayla.

Finding Belonging at Family Retreat

After their experience at Marriage Getaway, Chris and Kayla decided that they would do whatever it took to go to Family Retreat the next summer. When they made it to Family Retreat, Chris, Kayla, and their whole family felt at home and accepted.

“For the first time in a really long time our family didn’t feel like a burden to others. And we didn’t feel invisible. Joni and Friends does an excellent job of creating space for relationships among families to grow. They make the invisible feel seen, the isolated feel connected, and the weary feel rested. Joni and Friends puts the focus squarely on those who are normally pushed to the side,” says Kayla.

Family Retreat also gave Chris and Kayla the opportunity to say “yes” to all the activities that their children wanted to do, not having to make choices based on what was accessible for Morgan’s equipment. Holston’s volunteer buddy gave him undivided attention, a rare experience in his life.

Ongoing Impact

While Joni and Friends Retreats & Getaways have made a meaningful difference for Chris and Kayla’s family, the impact continues through their everyday lives. Joni and Friends has provided consultation and training for Chris and Kayla’s church, equipping their local body of Christ to love and serve families living with disability.

Now with greater awareness and resources, church leaders have identified physical and social barriers within their space and community, and have worked to improve accessibility and inclusivity. They have even designated a parking spot for Chris and Kayla’s family, making it easier for them to join in at church.

You can make it possible for more families like Chris and Kayla’s to find encouragement and belonging in the body of Christ!