I ve Ever Learned , on why unity is the lesson most dear to her heart. Since a diving accident as a teenager, she has been a quadriplegic. Tada s ministry has a special emphasis on people with physical and mental disabilities. She was overwhelmed as she watched one runner, close to the finish line, stop and gather up another athlete who had become disoriented during the race. In fact, as Ken reminded me, the object behind Special Olympics games is simply to encourage everyone to finish the race.
Every runner is surrounded by a grandstand of witnesses, cheering and applauding the efforts of all.
Joni Earekson Tada realize that living a full life is really living it the Lord's way. That will often mean taking time to stop and put my arm around a weaker friend. Encourage one another and build up each other. Whether we are beautiful or plain rich or poor, saintly or sinful makes no difference. Help us to grow in love as Your Son did a love that doesn t gloss over failings but one that accepts them and then goes on to stress what is good in ourselves and in all we meet what can be built on to become more fully human.