Joni Eareckson Tada (1949–) is an American preacher, author, and disability advocate whose ministry, rooted in her experience as a quadriplegic, has inspired millions within evangelical Christianity. Born on October 15, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland, to John and Lindy Eareckson, she was the youngest of four daughters in an active, outdoorsy family. A diving accident at age 17 in 1967 left her paralyzed from the shoulders down, shattering her athletic life and prompting a spiritual awakening during two years of rehabilitation at Maryland General Hospital. She turned to faith after initial despair, finding purpose in sharing God’s grace. In 1982, she married Ken Tada, a high school teacher, and though they have no children, their partnership has bolstered her ministry through decades of challenges, including breast cancer battles in 2010 and 2018. Tada’s preaching career began informally as she shared her testimony, gaining prominence with her 1976 autobiography Joni, which sold over 5 million copies and was adapted into a 1979 film where she starred. Founder of Joni and Friends in 1979, she has preached hope and resilience worldwide, delivering messages at events like the 1988 Lausanne Congress and via her daily radio program, reaching over a million listeners weekly by 2025. Her 50-plus books, including Heaven: Your Real Home, and her artwork—painted with her mouth—reflect her vibrant faith, earning her accolades like induction into the Christian Booksellers Association Hall of Honor (1995). Still active as of 2025 from Agoura Hills, California, Tada’s legacy as a preacher blends personal triumph with a call to trust God, profoundly shaping disability ministry and evangelical outreach.