Paralleling this journey is her quest in faith. Joni relates every painful and depressing phase towards final acceptance of the new, unwanted life inflicted upon her. At first she wonders if she had received her answer later, she knows that she did. Soon after those prayers, Joni has the tragic diving accident. She turns to the Lord and fervently prays that God will do something to change her and turn her life around. Joni takes stock of herself and does not like what she sees. She begins to argue with her parents and allow her grades to drop, neither of which has ever happened before. Jesus Christ has always been part of the Eareckson's life however, just before her accident, Joni feels empty and uncertain. Joni grows up in a devout Episcopalian family. She cannot lift her arms to stop their actions-she is helpless. They cut her new bathing suit off and several hours after admission, shave her head for surgery, her sunlit blond curls falling to the floor beneath. The nurses at the hospital are no more help in fact, Joni finds them cruel and heartless. The orderlies who rush her to the nearby hospital are mute when she asks how long her temporary paralysis will last. Once on shore, Joni is confused-she still cannot move. Before the gravity of Joni's condition is apparent, Kathy chides her younger sister for diving in such a shallow area. Kathy rushes to her and with help pulls her to shore. Just as the immobile Joni is about to run out of air, her sister, Kathy, spots her under the water. She cannot move but determines that she must be caught in something-perhaps a fisherman's net. Although she does not lose consciousness, Joni lands helpless on her back at the bottom of the bay after ramming her head in a large rock. However, fate steps in when the competitive, athletic and fearless young woman dives into the Chesapeake Bay. After graduation from high school Joni is set to go to college in the fall having earned a partial scholarship at a prestigious college. She represents everything any eighteen-year-old girl might aspire to. Joni leads a charmed life-popular, smart and athletic. Joni begins life as the youngest child of Johnny and Lindy Eareckson.

Joni (pronounced 'Johnny') authored the book with help from writer Joe Musser, sharing her intimate thoughts, physical challenges and psychological trials. The true story of Joni Eareckson, 'Joni,' is the account of her life after a tragic diving accident that leaves her as a life-long quadriplegic.

Joni by joni eareckson