Barrier Free Friendships

by Joni Eareckson Tada

Each of us knows someone who is hearing, visually, or mentally impaired, or physically disabled. Millions more suffer from invisible disabilities that can be just as devastating. Writing from her own experience as a person with a disability Joni Eareckson Tada joins with her fellow disability advocate, Steve Jensen, to share how you can overcome obstacles that have kept you from becoming friends with those who may be limited by their bodies or their circumstances. Joni shows you how to build mutually fulfilling relationships based on insights into how Jesus related to individuals with disabilities. She also offers story after story of the hope and joy of those who've crossed the barriers, from either direction, and found a lifetime of friends.

Genres: Christian Living

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 1997

About the author

Joni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community".

Reviews

[Julie Beaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for book club, I think that our conversation about it will be really enlightening.

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a practical, easy-to-read light manual about how to develop friendships with the disabled.

I appreciated Tada's openness over struggles that disabled folks have with their disability, mobility, and friendships.

Good pointers on practical things: "speak to folks and look them in the eyes, not at their wheelchair"; "stand back a few feet so they won't have to crook their neck to look up at you"; "initiate a call, invite them (or yourself) over for a movie and pop corn"; "understand anger, discouragement"

Good primer on how to love our disabled friends.

[Rachel Lundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to reach out to someone with a disability, this book will be a valuable resource for you. You will learn why it is important to befriend people with disabilities and practical ways you can reach out to them in friendship. If you have a disability, the last two chapters are specifically for you! You will learn about God’s plan for you in friendship and how you can be a good friend while dealing with a disability.