A Love that Endures

Cover of Joni: An Unforgettable Story

JONI & KEN: AN UNTOLD LOVE STORY by Ken & Joni Eareckson Tada (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1213) is a book that answers many questions. Those of us, who have followed Joni Eareckson’s life since the appearance of her autobiography and the movie based upon it, have wondered what life must really be like for her, and since her marriage in 1982, her husband Ken Tada. Now we are able to see, understand, and be inspired by a marriage that must have been, as they say, “made in heaven.”

Joni’s story is familiar to many, especially Christians. Born in 1949, a diving accident in the Chesapeake Bay in 1967 left her a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down. Her struggle with pain and depression as she learned to accept the reality of her future is told in her autobiography, JONI (1976) and JONI (1779), the feature film based upon it.

Her public life and ministry since then is well known. She founded a Christian ministry, Joni and Friends, devoted to providing practical and spiritual support for individuals suffering with disabilities of various kinds and their families. Over the years she has authored 48 books, including 2 award-winning children’s books. She has made too many public appearances to count, and used every form of media to bring comfort and encouragement to those suffering and understanding to those of us more fortunate.

In 1982, Joni married Ken Tada. All sorts of questions now flooded the minds of her admiring public. Why? Why would a healthy, athletic man marry a woman, a very beautiful woman, but a woman in a wheelchair? What sort of life can they have together? How will he be able to deal with her disability day after day, year after year? How will he be able to deal with her inevitable periods of depression, providing encouragement and strength rather than pity? In short, what will their life together be like, when they don’t have to be always smiling and cheerful in front of the cameras?

JONI & KEN: AN UNTOLD LOVE STORY is the story of an enduring love, a love based upon commitment to one another, and most importantly, a commitment to Jesus Christ, the one who has promised to be our rock, and the one who is ever faithful to his promises.

Until next time, be good to all God’s creatures and always walk under the mercy.

Related articles

• Joni Eareckson Tada – at the 2013 National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention (video) (revivalandreformation.wordpress.com)
• Ken Tada: Breast cancer from the husband’s point of view (wisecounsel.wordpress.com)
• Love reminders… (thepottershand2011.wordpress.com)
• Chronic pain and the christian life (wisecounsel.wordpress.com)
• Scripture at Sunrise 2.20.2013 (nlbclex.wordpress.com)
• Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings (reformedreader.wordpress.com)
• ‘Cause I Gotta Have Faith! (themiracleisaroundthecorner.wordpress.com)