Real Families, Real Needs

By |Published On: December 1, 2017|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

JONI: Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a very special guest today

I’m so happy to have my friend and co-worker, Cynthia Berry with me. Cynthia thanks for coming today.

CYNTHIA: Thank you Joni. It’s so good to be here.

JONI: Cynthia is a single mom and her 23-year-old son, Sizwe, has autism. Now, when I say that Sizwe is 23, you’ve got to picture this big, tall, gentle giant; but unlike other adults his age, Sizwe deals everyday with the challenges of autism, and so does his mother, right Cynthia?

CYNTHIA: Yes, yes.

JONI: So tell us quickly about his challenges.

CYNTHIA: Sizwe has Pervasive Development Disorder: that is speech delay, cognitive and even environmental. He cannot tell (distinguish) between time frames and with that comes isolation. With being a young adult he is isolated from a social perspective. I remember the time when we had applied for disability and we got to a juncture where they wanted to have Sizwe assessed by a psychologist. The morning that we actually had the appointment I went into his room to remind him it was time to go and I looked at him and he was crying, just tears flowing, and he looked at me and he said, “Mom, I don’t want to go because I don’t want them to make me feel bad about myself.” And I remembered at that moment it told me that he was looking to have dignity, to have respect, to have self-worth, to know that he is valued and we abandoned the process.

JONI: Well, just looking at you share that moment I can see the anguish in your eyes and on your face. Cynthia, most single mothers see their sons grow up, carve out a career, marry, hold down a job, have children. How has your son’s disability impacted you? 

CYNTHIA: I had a white picket fence, Joni. That white picket fence that he would be married; be in high school and I remember going to other friend’s celebrations with their sons and I mourned that loss. But then the Lord started revealing to me through His word and He started replacing those wooden planks with a solid foundation saying ‘I have an unconventional plan for Sizwe. His life is going to be different.’ You know disability is unconventional; it’s radical, it’s outside the box. And slowly, and even now I must confess, He continues to remove each of those wooden planks gently and surely and my trust and reliance is in Him.

JONI: Well, that is amazing that God has an unconventional, outside the box plan for your son. Those are encouraging words. Cynthia, what our listeners might not know is that you serve as Regional Director for Area Ministries here at Joni and Friends and that translates into a wonderful way for you to reach other special-needs moms, right?

CYNTHIA: Oh, I just love it! I am so excited that I get to be a part of a Luke 14 mandate that is ordered by God and that I get to serve our field offices and attend their family retreats and I get to sit with moms; I get to cry with moms; I get to share stories with moms. I get to console them; to let them know that God is always on the Throne and I am reminded of Psalms 28:7 that says: “The Lord is my strength and my shield.” My heart will trust in Him and I am helped.

JONI: Cynthia, thank you.

CYNTHIA: Oh, Joni it’s my pleasure. Thank you for having me.

JONI: I’ve posted a video today on joniandfriends.org/radio where you can meet Cynthia and you can see Sizwe, these two interacting with other special-needs families. I’d love for you to see it, because God has called each of us to minister to families that have special challenges. Also we are going to highlight our book, “Real Families… Real Needs”. It’s a fabulous book that will help other special-needs parents with children like Sizwe.

© Joni and Friends

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