Joni Eareckson Tada Founder and CEO

Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck in a diving accident at the age of 17 in 1967, leaving her a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. After a long period of rehabilitation, she learned to paint using a brush between her teeth. Her best selling autobiography, Joni, was published in 1976. Mrs. Tada is an advocate for people with disabilities and founded Joni and Friends in 1979. She is CEO of the International Disability Center that includes the Education, Policy, and Training ministry of JAF. More information on Joni, including the more than 45 books she has authored, is available by visiting www.joniandfriends.org. Joni married school teacher Ken Tada in 1982, and they live in Calabasas, California.