Well-known author and artist Joni Eareckson Tada has won a Telly Award for her weekly TV show.

Earlier this month, Joni and Friends received a bronze Telly Award in the religious television show category for "inspiring stories of hope and healing," Telly officials said. In the 30-minute program, Tada, a quadriplegic, talks to people who have endured heart-wrenching trials.

Two Joni and Friends episodes stood out to the Telly Award committee. "Cancer: Joni's Journey" features Tada's battle with breast cancer in addition to her quadriplegia. "The Jennifer Barrick Story" shows how the Barrick family grew closer after a drunk driver severely injured 15-year-old Jennifer.

"Joni and Friends is meant to share stories of God's faithfulness with the world," Tada said. "We are honored by the award and thrilled that our ministry is reaching the troubled and heartbroken. God is faithful to provide for us in our times of need."

Tada's most recent books include Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story (Zondervan) and A Place of Healing (David C Cook).

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards program honors the best local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, video and film productions and work created for the Web. The latest awards competition received nearly 12,000 entries from 50 states and numerous countries.

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