AGOURA HILLS, CALIF. (ANS) — Joni and Friends founder Joni Eareckson Tada was as surprised as the rest of the nation to learn that among this year’s Academy Award Best Original Song nominees was one that involved her.According to a news release, Tada was honored by the invitation from the film’s producer to give voice to the film’s title song, “Alone Yet Not Alone,” at the invitation of the film’s producers in the Fall of 2013. Initially, she was just looking forward to its nationwide release in theaters in June.
That all changed, however, with the announcement of the nominees last week, bringing attention from across the U.S. to the song and Tada’s performance.
Those not familiar with the name Joni Eareckson Tada or her voice have been surprised to discover that she has been singing from a wheelchair for more than 47 years, having been paralyzed in a diving accident in 1967 at age 17.
Tada recalled the occasion when she was invited to record the song for the film.
“Last year when I spoke at the closing session of the National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention. I sang several hymns as part of my message,” Tada said in the news release.