SFN Dad to Dad 317 - Noel Fernandez Collott (82) of Ciego de Avila, Cuba A Retired Baptist Pastor & Disability Advocate, Went Blind at 30

In April 2024, our host David Hirsch traveled to Cuba with Joni & Friends, as one of 12 U.S. volunteers participating in a Wheels For The World Program, to fit and distribute 200+ wheelchairs to youth and adults, who might not otherwise experience mobility.  During his visit, he recorded two interviews with individuals connected to the disability community in Cuba. This is the the second of the two interviews.Toady's guest is Noel Fernandez Collott of Ciego de Avila, Cuba an 82 year old retired Baptist pastor who led seven churches during his career, who is one of the country's most well respected disability advocates and himself, went blind at age 30.Noel and his wife, Ornara, have been married for 58 years.  We also learn about how Retinitis Pigmentosa took his dad and grandfather's sight as well.Thirty years ago, Noel was the initial point of contact with Joni & Friends, the Agoura Hills, CA global Chrsitian disability ministry.  Since then there have been J&F Family Retreats and Wheels for the World programs in all 15 Cuban providences.Noel is also the author of the book (published in Spanish) entitled: Segun Los Circunstancias, which translated into English is: Living According To Circumstances.  The book is currently available  in Spanish on Amazon via Kindle and soon to be available in English.  We also learn about ACLIFIM a local NGO that serves the disability community. It's an uplifting story about overcoming disability and the power of the Holy Spirit all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Show Notes - WhatsApp - 53 52 449 967Email – [email protected] & Friends -  https://joniandfriends.org/Living According To Circumstances - https://www.amazon.com/Vivir-seg%C3%BAn-las-circunstancias-Spanish-ebook/dp/B0CQR9XJJ6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DU5LY58FA1JM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vTCDcNLCV7_U0Z3oenOWXtKah6BZpDjOkT9YlWKfmug.5Bogv-4zgXWbCoiv4J7IQia54bpBaFqcU2XTSbDJfQo&dib_tag=se&keywords=noel+fernandez+collot&qid=1719589939&s=books&sprefix=noel+fernandez+collot%2Cstripbooks%2C98&sr=1-1ACLIFIM (Asociación Cubana de Personas con Discapacidad Físico - Motora -  https://www.aclifim.cu/Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 700+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated.  There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/