Swimming
Against the Tide

Joni Eareckson Tada

A retelling of the story of Joni Eareckson Tada – Some conversations and situations have been altered or combined with permission

Catherine Mackenzie

Copyright © 2003 Catherine Mackenzie

ISBN 978-1-85792-833-4 Book
ISBN 978-1-84550-903-3 ePub
ISBN 978-1-84550-904-0 mobi

Published by Christian Focus Publications, Geanies House, Fearn, Tain, Ross-shire IV20 1TW, Scotland, Great Britain

www.christianfocus.com
email:info@christianfocus.com

Thinking further topics; timeline and life summary Copyright © Christian Focus Publications

Cover design by Alister Macinnes
Cover illustration by Neil Reed.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the U.K. such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London, EC1 8TS. www.cla.co.uk

Joni Eareckson Tada: Life Summary adapted from the Joni and Friends website www.joniandfriends.org

The quote from President Bush is also available for review on the same website.

eBook conversion by Oxford eBooks

www.oxford-ebooks.com

On April 10th, 2002
during a meeting at
the White House,
President George W. Bush commented
to Joni Eareckson Tada,
‘I want to thank you for
your courage;
I want to thank you for
your wisdom;
I want to thank you for
your extraordinary perseverance and faith.
You have triumphed in the face of
physical disability.’

Joni, it has been an immense privilege to write thisbook – a retelling of your life – or at least parts ofit.God has given me, and others, the opportunity tosee His grace and power through your days and nights,tears and laughter, fears and hopes. It is no meanfeat to open your life to scrutiny in the way you havedone through book and fi lm. I have been humbled,encouraged, taught and inspired by your story and bythe power and intimacy of The One True God whomwe both call Father.

With love and thanks,
Catherine Mackenzie

Contents

Life Choices?

That Day on the Beach

White Coats and Green Pastures

Before it all Began

When Life is Like a Punchbag

I’m Walking out of Here!

Physical Therapy

Mistletoe and Memories

Praise The Lord

The Summer of ‘69

True Love

What Now?

God’s Choices - Your Changes

Joni Earekcson Tada: Life Summary

Time Line

Thinking Further Topics

Thinking Further Answers

Life Choices?

‘Oh I don’t know, I can’t even choose what cereal to eat in the morning – how do they expect me to know whether I should take a for algebra, b for biology or c for cookery?’ James’ scowl said it all – he was a bit annoyed, but mostly bored and he certainly couldn’t be bothered to look at next year’s subject choices.

‘Well, for starters,’ Jenny piped up, ‘they don’t call it cookery. It’s domestic science – and please don’t take it James because I’ve eaten your cheese ...