Joni Eareckson Tada

THE DISABILITYTHE PERSON THE DEVICE

JONI EARECKSON TADA

•Born on October 15, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland.• Pronounced “Johnny” because she was named after her father. • Youngest in her family of four girls. • enjoyed outdoor activities with her family:

•horseback riding •camping trips •tennis •swimming.

JONI EARECKSON TADA (CONT.)

• In June 1967, she graduated with academic honors from Woodlawn Senior High School.

• 17 year old, Joni Eareckson Tada’s life will be changed forever on a hot day on July 30, 1967

• She had a diving accident and broke her neck, fracturing between the fourth and fifth cervical levels of the spinal cord.

The DisabilityC4 and C5 Spinal Cord Injury

•Able to move her head and neck

•Complete paralysis of her body and legs.

•Needs assistance to transfer to and from wheelchair

•Needs assistance with her with household chores

•Needs assistance with washing, dressing of self

Living With Disability• Joni’s faith in God helped her to

accomplish the following:– Artist: painted and drawn over

140 pieces of art by using her mouth

– Writer: wrote over 30 books– Radio host: Program is heard

daily all over the world• Founder of Joni and friends

– ministry helping the disabled• Married to Ken Tada since 1982.

The Device

Joni’s Adapted Van The Wheel chair•Joni uses an electric powered wheel chair for mobility.

• Has no steering wheel• All of the driving functions

are combined by a single lever system

The Device

Spork: Joni uses a spork that has been bent to eat with.

• The bent spork goes into the pocket of the splint