Speaking

How could God let this happen? Is He going to fix it?
How will I get through this?
Nobody understands what I’m going through!
What does the Bible have to do with this?

Diane’s passion is for others to experience the power and timeless relevance of God’s Word, applied to the messy and gritty areas of life. As a mother to a child with multiple disabilities, she shares candid stories of universal struggle, anchored in Christ-centered hope — with unexpected twists of hilarity.

An engaging storyteller, Diane exhorts audiences to view challenges as unexpected opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation: God doesn’t use us to fix problems, He uses problems to fix and sanctify us.

Not everyone is affected by disability. But everyone gets “disabled” by something: A diagnosis, a depression, a death —or the death of a dream. All believers struggle to reconcile faith with disappointment. No matter what the diagnoses or devastation, we can all have the same solution. His name is Jesus.

For detailed information on speaking topics and booking inquiries, CONTACT US.

Event Resources

Frequently requested topics:

Unbroken Faith: From Wrecked, to Redeemed and Repurposed (Reconciling faith with disappointment)

The Hairy Truth: When Life Isn’t Fair (Discipleship, sanctification, and defiant joy)

From Surviving to Thriving: How to Get From Hollowed to Hallowed

Motherhood: How is this, “Blessed and Highly Favored”?!

The Undone Mum (When Mother’s Day Is Hard, Not Happy)

Compassion: What To Say or Do, When You Don’t Know What To Say or Do

Autism and The Church: A Family and Ministry Practicum

Special Needs Ministry At Any Size or Stage (It’s not just for big churches!)

360 Church: Ministering to Families Affected by Disability… Beyond 90 min. on Sundays

Disability Ministry Spotlight: Start With “Why?” (vision casting, volunteer recruitment)

Testimonials

“

Diane is a gifted speaker and writer. Her gift? She’s authentic. Diane shares a raw response to the pain she’s experienced. When parents hear her speak, they find someone who gets it, someone who understands.

Diane pulls back the curtain on some of the toughest faith questions, and points you to the Word of God in hopes that you will experience heaven-sent comfort and compassion. Her reflections mixed with humor and sobriety, she helps audiences laugh at their own circumstances. She will help you grasp how God understands your pain and how He suffers with you.”

~ Joni Eareckson Tada, Author, Speaker, and CEO Joni and Friends

“

Diane is a renowned, sought-after speaker. Diane spoke on behalf of Joni and Friends, representing our organization with utmost professionalism. Her off-the-charts passion and intelligence exudes from her seasoned experience in special needs parenting and ministry. Her message inspires not just special needs audiences, but typical families as well!

~ Mark Williams, Regional Director, Joni and Friends
San Francisco Bay Area

“

Diane is incredible and inspiring, impressively smart, belly-laughing funny, and genuinely down to earth and compassionate. Not only does she possess professional skills as a communicator, much more importantly, she is an amazing mother with a huge heart for those she impacts and influences through her relationships and ministry.

~ Cecil Wong, Author of Growth Centered Family: A Holistic Strategy for Better Parenting and Family Relationships, Pastor at Sunset Church, San Francisco, CA; Life Coach at Family Connections Coaching

“

We couldn’t wait to book her as our featured speaker for an annual event we hold for moms of kids with special needs. She did not disappoint. Her stories were made of real, life in-the-trenches-with-disability stuff. Yet she didn’t leave us down in the mire, but encouraged us to look to God as the only true source of strength and joy for the daily grind of special needs. Anyone who hears Diane speak has found a gem.

~ Brent Olstad, Area Director, Joni and Friends Southern Oregon

“

I’ve had the privilege of hearing Diane speak to many different audiences of parents, church leaders and lay people who are asking how they can welcome and come alongside families with special needs. She is a gifted communicator with an amazing passion to see families find true rest and fellowship in Jesus. I know God will use her to empower, equip, and comfort families who are hurting, and to teach the larger church body how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in real and meaningful ways.

~ Rebecca Barnett, Special Needs Ministry Coordinator, Menlo Church