JONI AND FRIENDS—Joni Eareckson Tada, center, is joined by her husband, Ken Tada, and Kathy McReynolds at the headquarters of the Joni and Friends International Disability Center, a disability ministry founded by Eareckson Tada in Agoura Hills. County Supervisor Peter Foy calls her “an unbelievable lady.” SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers “I believe that God works everything out for my good and his glory, even that diving accident so many, many years ago” says Joni Eareckson Tada, leader of the Joni and Friends International Disability Center in Agoura Hills, as she dictates an e-mail to a supporter using her computer’s voice activation system.

With the message complete, the 61-year-old quadriplegic and follower of Christ turns her power-driven wheelchair around to greet two high school students who have just arrived at her office for a visit.

Paralyzed from a diving accident in 1967, Eareckson Tada used proceeds from her 1976 autobiography, “Joni,” to launch a disability ministry that extends the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by loss of mobility. She has written more than 45 books since then.

Also a renowned “mouth artist,” Eareckson Tada has exhibited her artwork throughout the United States since the 1970s.

As part of a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities, the activist and Christian author launched a radio program, a television series and an international wheelchair distribution ministry and organized family retreats and field services to provide church training and educational resources.

“Joni is an unbelievable lady,” said Peter Foy, a Ventura County supervisor and member of Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks.

“She’s probably one of the most inspirational people you would know, disabled or not. She’s gifted, and her attitude is so catching and engaging that you believe anything is possible when you’re around her,” Foy said.

In addition to serving on the National Council on Disability and Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department, Eareckson Tada established an institute that advocates for the civil rights of people with special needs.

Oak Park resident Kathy McReynolds, a biomedical ethicist, is director of academic studies for the institute.

“I was already keenly aware of the problem affecting the most vulnerable and how disabled people were viewed. When I came up here and saw the scope of the ministry, I was sold,” said McReynolds, who joined the Joni organization three years ago.

In 2006, Eareckson Tada moved her growing ministry into a new 33,700-square-foot building on Ladyface Circle in Agoura Hills.

Her organization employs about 80 people who guide operations in numerous field offices and affiliated organizations.

The offices sprang to life as Eareckson Tada wheeled past cubicles blissfully singing “Joy to the World.” Several workers joined her in the chorus celebrating the advent of Christ’s birthday.

“I’m just the cheerleader,” Eareckson Tada said. “Our objective is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways.”

The Joni and Friends leader recently underwent treatment for breast cancer.

Although she can no longer participate in worldwide outreaches, she’s still immersed in her work— recruiting, training and motivating a new generation of people with disabilities to become leaders in their churches and communities.

The ministry also works with local churches to establish programs for individuals with special needs. For instance, it recently assisted Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village with a “Luke 14” banquet.

“ They went out there and found people with disabilities in residential facilities and homes, provided transportation and brought them to the church for a banquet where (disabled individuals) were treated like kings and queens to show them that they are welcome,” Eareckson Tada said.

“It’s an ingenious way to open church doors to the possibilities of what a disability ministry will look like.”

Eareckson Tada said her organization works with many churches to help them adapt programs for people with disabilities.

“We have an open door here at the International Disability Center. If a local family has a disabled child or family member, we want to be seen as a local resource that can connect them with a church in the area.”

Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks calls Eareckson Tada a remarkable person.

“For someone who’s been disabled for so long, to have a vision to launch a worldwide service like this is just an incredible accomplishment,” Brooks said.

“She’s joyful and optimistic and courageous. . . . She gives me inspiration to get going,” added the sheriff, who has been volunteering for Joni and Friends’ Wheels for the World program for seven years.

Brooks recently traveled to Peru with his wife, Debbie, to participate in a wheelchair donation program.

“ It’s the most meaningful week of the year for us. We’re very strategic about our time. When we invest it we want to see the maximum outcome that we can possibly see,” he said.

Brooks recalled an encounter with a 12-year-old girl. The child was severely disabled due to cerebral palsy.

“I worked with the girl for most of the day. She had a frozen expression on her face, so I didn’t know if she understood what I was doing,” he said.

But later, the girl uttered her gratitude in an unexpected way.

She whispered to her mother and asked her to say, “I love you.”

“You’re creating a real change in the life and heart for somebody,” Brooks said.