This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
My family and I were recently blessed by a ministry called Joni and Friends. You may recall, a movie called, “Joni (1979),” hit the big screen. A tragic story that turned to triumph, how extremely inspiring her life was to me. Leaving the theater, I remember thinking, “I couldn’t imagine losing use of my entire body.” Little did I know that a year later I would be a quadriplegic, just like Joni. 31 years later, I got to experience one of Joni’s camps as a father with a disability.
My friends, Randy and Kesti, own Christ Haven Lodge in Florissant, Colorado, a camp that specializes in reaching the disabled. They asked if I could speak during one of their family camps. As much as we wanted to attend we had to tell our friends that it was not a possibility because of finances. My wife, Kelli, found out that it was actually a Joni and Friends Family Disability camp and creatively figured out a way our family could attend.
Kelli was excited when she received a call from the Joni and Friends Area Director, Kelly. Before we knew it, my entire family was sponsored for the entire week, not as a guest speaker, but as participants! This would be the first camp that my family has attended–what joy filled our souls!
We were one of several families who were able to attend camp that week. What a blessing to have a view overlooking Pike’s Peak. Before the week was over, I was truly blessed beyond measure. Each family had at least one member with a disability. It amazed me to watch all the difficult circumstances and yet the feeling of love was overwhelming. It made my problems look small compared to what other families had and were experiencing. Particularly, those families with more than one child with a disability. It’s good for us to take our eyes off of ourselves and realize the blessings that we take for granted.
There were short-term missionaries from Access Ministries/Woodmen Valley Chapel that worked one-on-one with each individual family member, giving a much needed break to the parents and caregivers who may have never had a break from the care of their child until this point. During the day, there were activities for every age group and my girls joined right in. They were particular excited about the horse-riding program followed by the horse painting contest, where the wonderful animals stood still as the children decorated ears, painted their hooves, and braided their manes. We all played games, including wheelchair races, treasure hunts, and had peanut butter sandwiches made by toes and feet alone (which was fun, but a little gross!) And no, I did not eat one of those sandwiches. The week ended with a talent show that would have made anybody cry, watching these beautiful kids have a chance to share their talent, whether it was wheelchair dancing or brilliantly playing the piano with autism.
The encouragement and acceptance given to each person from the start of camp made it such a peaceful and serene experience. There were no guards, no walls, just people providing love and support to one another. Having a disability in your family forces you to be real. Most people hide their disabilities and miss out on the blessings that come from encouraging one another. This was a place where disabilities were the norm, no one was different–everyone felt accepted and loved.
This week at camp was one of my fondest memories and I am truly grateful to Joni and Friends (www.joniandfriends.org), especially Kelly, and to Katie, Deb, and Kevin and all short term missionaries from Access Ministries.
If you have not experienced family camp, I greatly encourage you to do so. It will be a wonderful memory and encouragement that you won’t forget. Most churches, if not community outreach programs, offer them. Thank you for your prayers and support. You are a blessing to me and my family. Keep praying for my health—let’s continue to run the race together! We are all born to win.
To your inspiration,
Ron
To donate to Ron and Family: www.ronheagy.com/donate-ron-heagy.php
To donate to Never Give Up: www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php
Thank you Ron, Kelli and girls for coming to Family Camp. You touched our hearts so much, meeting your family. Austin and Brandi talk about you, and your family all the time. You made such an impact on their lives. You also made a big impact on Robert and I, I don’t look at life the same anymore. I have your book sitting on my endtable by my bed all the time. I pray for health that everything stays stable. Thank you for encouraging Robert so much it meant alot to me.