“I used to say to God, ‘Why me? Why did this happen to me?’ as most people do, but now I have changed that to ‘Why did he choose this for my life to live out his purpose? Why am I special?’”

Kimberli West was young and always on the go until unexpected illness upended her life. After ignoring her subtle symptoms, Kimberli's wake-up call came when she found herself passed out in the emergency room. Kimberli's doctors diagnosed her with severe ulcerative colitis, inflammatory joint disease, and chronic anemia. But at barely 30 years old, what she thought could be easily controlled by medication led her on a medical journey: nearly 20 surgeries and the fight of her life.

On the podcast, Crystal talks with Kimberli about her health battles and life-altering hidden disability. After losing everything that she had valued at the time of her diagnosis, Kimberli is learning to find joy in her suffering. Hear her powerful story of transformation and how she’s using her health challenges to bring attention to God’s sustaining power and provision in the midst of chronic illness.

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Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by international disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada, the ministry provides Christ-centered care through  Joni's House, Wheels for the World, and Retreats and Getaways, as well as disability ministry training and higher education through the Christian Institute on Disability. 

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Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training.

Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.