Wings of Freedom: How a Wheelchair Transformed Tong’s Spirit to Soar
In a corner forgotten by the world, Tong’s home once resembled a silent ocean, its every moment immersed in waves of stillness. His gaze fell only upon four drab walls, the air thick with loneliness and helplessness. Tong, a severely disabled youth with cerebral palsy, was confined to his bed, his spirit imprisoned within an invisible cage.
A Warmth Long Absent
It was a spring morning in 2017. The first beams of sunlight pierced through the window and Tong felt a warmth long absent. A Wheels for the World™ team from Joni and Friends had a wheelchair for Tong. And as the wheelchair fitter knelt down to make adjustments for fit and comfort, their radiant smile communicated to Tong an unprecedented sense of respect.
For Tong, the new wheelchair was like a pair of wings, freeing his spirit to soar…
Joni and Friends Pennsylvania has been serving through outreaches in East Asia for over 20 years—in person and through collaboration with in-country partners, bringing new hope and possibilities to families like Tong’s.
Each year, Joni and Friends partners invite families living with disability on collective spring or autumn outings. For Tong, every excursion makes his heart race with joy as his world broadens before his eyes. His ears attune to the songs of birds and whispers of the wind, stirring a sense of being fully alive.
Seeds of Love and Faith
Since 2018, Tong and his family have participated in Joni and Friends International Family Retreats events. Through these experiences, seeds of love and faith have quietly germinated.
During one retreat, Tong’s younger sister, accompanying her brother, met a male youth volunteer from the same church. Love, like a gentle poem, flowed softly into their hearts. Their gazes exchanged understanding and tenderness, and their hands clasped, transmitting strength and courage. Their love was not merely a union of two individuals but a resonance of souls within their shared faith. Now, they have embarked on a new chapter of their lives, united in marriage.
Last year, when Tong’s mother needed surgery for a foot injury, the family faced another trial. Yet, like angels descended, members of the local church and volunteers from our Joni and Friends team brought not only material aid but also spiritual solace. Their visits filled the home with warmth and hope, and their joint prayers made Tong and his family feel the presence of God.
“…Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Deep within his heart, Tong holds boundless gratitude towards God. As the night deepens into silence, he prays, thanking God for all he has given. His mind is filled with a yearning for the unknown and visions of the future.
He has come to understand that even though his body may be constrained, his spirit can still fly freely. “…For You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) This verse has become Tong’s mantra. He firmly believes that with love and faith in his heart, he can overcome any obstacle and embrace the dawn of a new life.
With support from Joni and Friends Pennsylvania, our Wheels for the World program, International Family Retreats, and the nurturing care of our in-country partners have brought Tong’s family through adversity, offering critical help and loving support. In seemingly impossible circumstances, this family has witnessed how God’s love brings blessing, transformation, and lasting hope.
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