About the Bortons

JERRY - Jerry Borton has traveled around the country leading seminars on disability awareness, theology of suffering, leadership, and fundraising—all from his power wheelchair. Born with Cerebral Palsy, his mother said he came from the womb with a suitcase in his hand, ready to take on the world. Jerry now devotes his time to help people with disabilities discover their gifts and talents and equip them to use them in their local community. He is passionate to help Christian community leaders embrace hiring people with disabilities to make a positive impact on their world. Jerry has an M.S. in Organizational Leadership and is an ordained minister. Jerry admits to a mild obsession with baseball. He likes watching every form of the game—from two kids slapping at a ball with a stick to his beloved Detroit Tigers winning an American League pennant. Jerry and his wife, Joan, have been married for over 28 years and enjoy games, traveling and spoiling their nieces and nephews. Jerry and Joan make their home in central Florida.

JOAN - “Easy” is rarely a word that is used in relation to disability ministry. But long-time disability advocate, Joan Borton, loves to show people how easy it is to start a friendship with someone with a disability. Disability ministry has taken Joan to Ghana, West Africa, and all around the U.S, where she has taught on topics ranging from disability awareness to soul care to managing change to marriage and disability. Joan has been joyfully married to Jerry since 1995. She is passionate about strengthening marriages affected by disability and frequently blogs and writes on this topic. Joan recently published her first book, MarriageAbility: Embracing the Richness of a Marriage Affected by Disability. There is little Joan enjoys more than encouraging a caregiver and listening to them share their life. Joan and Jerry are committed to hospitality—whether that means entertaining guests at their Florida home, providing respite care for kids and teens, or being a home away from home for family and friends. When faced with a little down time you will likely find her reading or working on a jigsaw puzzle.

TOGETHER - Jerry and Joan Borton have spent most of their lives befriending, working with and supporting people affected by disability. For Jerry it began at birth when he was born with Cerebral Palsy. Joan grew up with friends who had disabilities and found it a natural fit for her. It was little surprise to anyone, except themselves, when God brought them together in marriage and ministry in 1995. Together they have a broad history of engagement with people with physical, developmental and mental health disabilities. They have ministered in residential, camping, recreational, church and educational programs. Jerry and Joan understand from personal experience that disability affects the entire family. In 2019 Jerry and Joan co-founded Luke 14 Exchange, Inc . Today you will find them mentoring people with disabilities, writing and speaking on topics of family support, discovering your giftedness as a person with a disability, and the influence of the disability movement and the Church.

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