Rest, Support, and Hope: A Powerful Family Retreat Story

By Joni and Friends|Published On: March 15, 2026|Categories: Family Retreats, News, News & Stories|

Alex in his wheelchair next to his mom Trish, who is holding a cardboard sign with their last name, “Toole.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5

This past summer at Family Retreat hosted by our Northwest team, God gave Trish a vivid picture of His faithfulness. While stepping onto the extreme swing, Trish discovered something unexpected: she couldn’t balance on her own. The swing wanted to pull her forward, and she wasn’t strong enough to lean back against it. But when she leaned forward, the bright red safety rope held her securely.

In that moment, God reminded her: “I am like that red rope. You can lean on Me, and I will hold you.”

That lesson became very real as the week unfolded.

Trish had arrived at Family Retreat with her son, Alex, who is 27 and has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, and painful spasticity. At home, Trish and her husband Ken share the responsibilities of caring for Alex—Ken taking the nights, and Trish taking the days. But at Family Retreat, Trish was on her own.

“I put on my big girl boots,” Trish says. “But by the second morning, I was already in tears.”

The medications, therapy sets, oxygen, and transfers—it was more than she could manage alone. But God had already provided. Volunteers stepped in with coffee, golf cart rides, and strong arms to lift Alex safely. Trish was overwhelmed by the radical acceptance and love of God’s people. She began to see that Family Retreat was a place where she could finally rest and lean into support.

Ken and Trish have four sons: Ben, Caleb, Alex, and his twin brother Zach, who is now in heaven with Jesus. Life at home is structured and demanding. Alex’s morning routine alone can take three hours, and though he receives some nursing support, Ken and Trish are Alex’s primary caregivers. At night, they monitor his oxygen and wake as needed to clear his airway. Yet amid the challenges, their home is full of warmth and humor. Trish remembers her sons as young boys playing together—Ben balancing on the back of Alex’s wheelchair while Alex spun him in circles, both laughing. Once, she found Ben curled up asleep beside Alex in his safety bed.

When Ben was 13, he began helping with tube feedings and medications. Caleb, the youngest, learned patience and empathy by playing games with Alex and including him in everything. “And at Family Retreat, siblings are celebrated,” says Trish.

By midweek, everything shifted. Ken arrived for a visit, Alex perked up, and together they planned his act for the talent show. That evening, Alex came alive. On stage, his humor, quick wit, and perfect timing filled the room with laughter and joy. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand—so much so that people later asked him for more jokes.

For the rest of the week, people saw Alex for who he truly is: not “too hard” or “too complicated,” but a young man created in the image of God—intelligent, capable, and full of light.

Trish says, “I am so used to balancing on the edge, keeping us from falling. But this week, God reminded me that I can lean into His people, and He will hold us steady.”

Trish stands beside her son Alex, who is in his power wheelchair, as they sing together during a talent show at Family Retreat.

Trish and Ken know both the pain and beauty of trusting God through hardship. When Alex and Zach were born 12 weeks early, Trish prayed that God would “make everything okay.” When Zach went to heaven after 11 days, she felt as though she had prayed wrong. Over time, God taught her that it is not possible to “pray wrong.”

Trish says, “I am not powerful enough to make God do the wrong thing. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good.”

Alex and Trish on a beach with another woman who is using a wheelchair.

Today, Alex is part of a young adult Bible study for people with disabilities at their new church—a dream long prayed for. Trish is grateful to Joni and Friends^® for reminding her that there truly is a place for Alex in the body of Christ.

This is the heart of Joni and Friends, and it is on full display at Family Retreat—where caregivers discover they are not alone, where families who often feel excluded finally belong, and where the love of Christ is made tangible through the hands and hearts of volunteers.

The needs of families struggling with disability are greater than ever. They are crying out for hope, help, and a real demonstration of the Gospel to meet their urgent physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Alex in his power wheelchair next to his buddy volunteer at Family Retreat.

We recognize God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, yet what an amazing honor that He would invite us to partner with Him to proclaim His Gospel. Together, we will accomplish much for the Kingdom!

God is doing miracles through you as you partner with Joni and Friends Northwest. With your generous donation today, you will ensure that more families like Alex’s will experience person to person, heart to heart ministry, as well as purpose, meaning, and a welcoming community.

Friend, would you prayerfully consider giving a generous gift today?

Thank you for sharing our Savior’s love with families suffering under the strain of disability. May the Lord fill you with His perfect peace as you share the hope of Jesus in your local community and around the world.