- Wednesday, October 5, 2011
- Anna Sinclair
- Ministry Updates
- Comments
There is a wonderful blog post on the Joni and Friends® webpage, detailing the story of Gracie Rosenberg and how the tragedy of losing her legs in a car accident turned into "Standing with Hope", a ministry aimed at providing prosthetic legs to amputees in developing countries.
What an amazing picture this paints in my mind. Imagine, after years of distress and hardship close to the cold, hard earth, to suddenly be able to stand tall and walk again.
I was 18 months old when I received my first prosthetic arm. It was the "crawler model" so I wouldn't fall behind in my early development. Then at five, I received my first mayo-electric which gave me the ability to open and close my prosthetic arm. It opened a world to me that before I was unable to enter. Holding, carrying, gripping - all the basic essentials.
I remember the way the prosthetic felt on my arm for the first time. I remember the joy at being able to carry my lunch, shake someone's hand, the feeling of triumph over the small tasks of life.
And, then perspective hits me like a truck. I was born in the US. My family could provide the medical care I needed thanks to insurance. I wasn't socially outcast from my community because of how I looked (although, it sometimes felt like that).
Nothing like what amputees in developing countries deal with. Every day. For a lifetime. Deserted, in pain, with no finances and unable to find any relief let alone a doctor in the area who can mold, cast and create a prosthesis.
I'm so grateful for Joni and Friends® and the many ways the ministry serves the disabled all around the world. Their presence not only shines the light of Christ on the shadows of the earth, they are changing the course of people's lives - all with a little metal, plastic and rubber.
Anna Sinclair
Ambassador Advertising
We Connect. Ministry and Media.
PS - Another radio recording session at Joni and Friends® has been completed! Click here to see and read the details of the day.
