Need Project Podcast

Due to a diving accident in 1967, Joni became a quadriplegic. Her life is a wonderful example of faith and perseverance through difficult times. Though she suffered a deep depression and lost the will to live in the aftermath of her accident, she gradually came back to a deeper relationship with God. Through her personal struggles, Joni developed a ministry reaching out to others who were hurting.

Roger is the Founder and Executive Director of LEGS. An AK prosthetic leg can cost anywhere from $10,000-$40,000 and upwards of $80,000 for a prosthetic utilizing micro-processor technology. The innovative LEGS prosthetic knee can be manufactured for as los as $15 right in the country where it is needed, using locally available materials and equipment, with the entire prosthesis costing as low as $50. LEGS goal is to transfer this technology to hundreds of prosthetic service providers, via training programs right where they are needed, which will make a positive impact on the productivity and quality of life of tens of thousands of amputees.

Lon helps us to encourage married couples to have a thriving marriage despite the challenges of raising a special needs child, or a spouse that has a disability. Lon has been a counselor at Focus on the Family since 1985, and in the wheelchair since Feb.1991, due to Spinal Chord tumors, and surgeries to remove them.

Becky’s Hope ministries exist to help families of special needs children in the United States and Eastern Europe know the love of God through Jesus Christ, to encourage and equip families to care for their children and see them as valued family members and beautiful gifts from God

Terri Mauro has two teenagers with special needs: a 19-year-old with language-based learning disabilities and a 16-year-old with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, both adopted from Russia in 1994. Terri is the author of 50 Ways to Support Your Child's Special Education and The Everything Parent's Guide to Sensory Integration Disorder. Her website Mothers With Attitude, offering "humor and help for adoptive moms, special-needs moms, any old moms at all," was recognized as a USA Today Hot Site and a Good Housekeeping Site of the Day.

Dave Salkeld and our President, Bob West discuss the mission of Need Project Inc. Hear about our latest projects, our goals for the new year, and how you can be involved.

Our guests are Joe and Cindi Ferrini. Joe and Cindi are the authors of "Our Unexpected Journey". A great book about raising a child with special needs. We discuss the emotions and issues couples go through to find what the Ferrini's call, the new "normal" for their lives.

Peggy Lou Morgan is the Author of multiple book on raising children with Special Needs. We discuss her latest book "Parenting an Adult with Disabilities or Special Needs. Peggy gives practical steps to help parents help their adult child who experiences special needs to create an adult life that works for the individual.

Nina is the founder of Living Proof Testimonies and S.M.I.L.E. on Down syndrome. Support, Management, Information, Love and Encouragement which is a network of support for parents with Special Needs children.

Ron and Christa Smith started a deaf ministry which includes the Deaf Learning Center, Deaf Adult Bible Fellowship and Sunday School for deaf children. Ron and Christa serve at the First Baptist Church Brandon, Florida

Mark Wester is the Executive Director of Mosaic. Mosaic’s Mission: “In partnership with people who have disabilities, Mosaic, provides supports and advocates that all may realize God’s gift of wholeness of life.” Services provided by Mosaic: host home services apartment services, group home, vocational training, supported employment, community participation, and supported living services.

Denise Krug is VP of Mission Services for Goodwill in Colorado Springs. We discuss the services Goodwill offers to those with disabilities. Goodwill is North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Goodwill believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves a chance to have these.

The Arc’s Mission Statement: To protect and empower the rights of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities through Advocacy, Guardianship, Judicial Advocacy, Education. We discuss what that means and how they help those with developmental disabilities.

The state of Colorado has over 10,000 families waiting for services. Amendment 51 would raise the sales tax .02 percent over two years to raise the money needed to end the waiting list for services.

Melissa Horvath has a masters degree in special education and has taught preschool through 6th grade in a variety of settings including regular classrooms and special schools.

Kelly Rosati is the Director of Sanctity of human life for Focus on the Family. we discuss adoption through end of life issues and how they affect those with special needs.

Need Project Inc. is two years old! We talk about our goals for the next year and what we are doing to bring resources to the special needs community.

Christy Stettler is the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center. We discuss the benefits of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy. Christy shares how the program works and how therapeutic riding is helping many people with varying disabilities improve their quality of life.

Part II of our interview with Tom Bushnell. Tom talks to us about CHASK, Christian homes and special kids. A great ministry of trying to find homes for every child. Tom shares his story of adoption and bringing of hope in the special needs community.

Our Guest is Tom Bushnell. Tom and his wife Sherry are directors of NATHHAN; National Challenged Home schoolers Associated Network. We discuss home schooling and the issues that surround the education of our children with special needs. Part II we discuss CHASK, Christian Homes Special Kids. Tom and Sherry’s other ministry finding homes for children in need of adoption.