A Wheelchair, a New Friendship, and Ripples of Grace
If you could visit eight-year-old Diana at the compound in Lusaka, Zambia where she lives, her infectious personality would outshine the struggles she faces. Diagnosed with spina bifida, Diana’s spine forms a noticeable hump on her back and she can’t walk. But disability doesn’t get in the way of Diana’s joy, or her hope of becoming a doctor when she grows up.
While she has parents and siblings, it’s Diana’s beloved Aunt Doris, a retired social worker, who has cared for Diana full-time for the past five years. Not everyone in their community—or even family—understands that disability can be part of God’s good plan.
God’s Provision Through Joni’s Story
Doris first encountered Joni Eareckson Tada decades ago through her autobiography. Moved by her story, Doris wondered if God was preparing her for life with a significant disability. Now, years later, she believes Joni’s story was preparing her to love and raise Diana.
Beyond Joni’s story, Doris has found deep comfort, wisdom, and purpose through the Joni and Friends Beyond Suffering curriculum. Rooted in the truth that all people, regardless of disability, have equal dignity and value, Beyond Suffering has helped Doris to educate those around her, making a way for Diana (and other children with disabilities in their community) to find belonging.
Doris not only champions but also delights in Diana for the person God has created her to be. With the nurturing care Doris provides, Diana has flourished. She is full of creative baking ideas, embraces her studies enthusiastically (she can speak three languages now!), and has an undeniable knack for making friends. But with limited resources, Doris has struggled to meet Diana’s needs, especially when she outgrew her toddler wheelchair, leaving her legs to drag dangerously on the ground.
When Doris learned that Joni and Friends was holding a Wheels for the World™ outreach in Zambia, she brought Diana full of prayerful hope…
Making New Friends…
Our team instantly fell in love with Diana with her sunflower-brightness and cheerful laugh.
“Diana is somebody that just lights up the room when she enters. She has a presence about her… full of joy,” says our assistant wheelchair seating therapist, Kaylee.
As time went on, we learned more about the gentle, loving care from Doris that had helped to cultivate Diana’s vibrant bloom. As Kaylee observed:
“Her aunt was super special because you could tell her love for Diana was pure—it was something full. She loved her like her own child and paid close attention to Diana and her needs.”
At first, there didn’t seem to be an ideal wheelchair available for Diana. But even as multiple wheelchairs didn’t fit well, no challenge could dim Diana’s joy. And the hours at the outreach provided the perfect opportunity for Diana to make friends with fourteen-year-old Chileleko (Chi Chi for short).
Chi Chi arrived in a makeshift wheelchair (a lawn chair with wheels affixed to it) borrowed from her school. While she was quiet at first, Chi Chi quickly opened up in Diana’s warm company. Chi Chi, like Diana has high hopes for her future and loves school. Soon Diana and Chi Chi became inseparable, fast friends both about to experience powerful life change…
God’s Kindness in a Two Custom-Fitted Wheelchairs
While Diana and Chi Chi chatted and enjoyed blowing bubbles together, our Joni and Friends team selected and customized a wheelchair for each of the girls. Diana received a vibrant pink wheelchair with light-up wheels, a perfect match for her body and spirit!
Chi Chi received a specialized pediatric wheelchair with a tray that will allow her to study and write easily. She also hopes to learn to play basketball now that she has a wheelchair of her own. When her fitting was completed, Chi Chi wheeled herself forward, a radiant smile spreading across her face. And she had a message for you—the Joni and Friends community who made it possible for her to find new freedom:
“Thank you for the wheelchair and God bless you!” – Chi Chi
Ripples of Grace
Along with their specialized wheelchairs, both Diana and Chi Chi also received Bibles and Gospel bracelets with each colored bead representing part of God’s salvation plan. The girls quickly learned the meaning of each bead and celebrated the love of Jesus in their lives.
Diana overflowed with excitement to share the Gospel message with others. What began as a bracelet became a powerful moment as Diana created a “friendship family” under our tent, inviting other children, sharing the Gospel, and teaching a secret handshake. And, seeing her natural gift for evangelism, our team prayed that Diana’s wheelchair will help her reach new places to share the joy of Jesus with others.
You can extend grace to more children with disabilities!
Today, you can change lives of children like Diana and Chi Chi, and in turn transform entire communities with the joyful message of the Gospel! From pediatric wheelchairs to biblical education through Beyond Suffering, you can send ripples of grace to people who might never otherwise meet Jesus and embrace the eternal life he offers.
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones… that person will certainly not lose their reward.” –
Matthew 10:42
Give Now to Joni and Friends
Your gift today will multiply God’s good work in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities!
