Special Needs Families Find Belonging at Family Retreat in Tennessee

By Joni and Friends|Published On: January 23, 2023|Categories: Family Retreats|

Annabelle's parents, Niki and Jason, holding her between them as they smile at the camera.

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1

When Niki and Jason brought their four-year-old daughter Annabelle to Family Retreat, they did not know what to expect.

They did, however, need rest, connection, and encouragement.

Annabelle has autism and is non-verbal. After receiving Annabelle’s diagnosis two years ago, Niki struggled. She recalls feeling angry with God for six months as she absorbed the realities of life with her daughter’s disability.

But at Family Retreat, Annabelle—and her parents—found exactly what they needed.

Niki and Jason were able to spend time with people who understood what they were going through.

Whether it was the art project that the moms did together, the men’s support group, or just time talking to other couples, Family Retreat was the first community where Niki and Jason felt understood.

“It was so refreshing to be with other people going through the same thing,” said Niki

Annabelle loved Family Retreat too. She spent her time in the children’s program, doing art projects, learning Bible lessons, enjoying music, swimming, and riding a golf cart around campus, all in the company of Spring and Daisy (a mother-daughter volunteer duo) who fell in love with her.

Annabelle especially loved the music at Family Retreat, along with the experience of having everyone know her name and greet her warmly wherever she went.

The impact of Family Retreat on Niki’s life has been so powerful that she now runs a support group for special needs parents at her church, providing the same Christ-centered support and community she and her family experienced at Family Retreat.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Jason, Niki and Annabelle plan to return to Family Retreat next year, and they are encouraging other families to join them.

As Niki says: “Come with an open mind! We were worried that Annabelle wouldn’t get along with her buddies, but they were so accommodating to her! Annabelle loved her buddies!”

You can make it possible for more families like Annabelle’s to experience God’s powerful love and comfort at Family Retreat and other Christ-centered Joni and Friends programs.