Access-Life Expo Celebrates 10th Anniversary in East Tennessee

The Bible says “do not despise small beginnings”, and from the first Access-Life Expo in Dandridge, TN in 2010 to the 9th outreach in Jefferson City, TN, God has grown this annual event each year. In fact, 6,143 attendees have come out since the small beginnings on Douglas Lake to the current venue on Cherokee Lake. So for the 10th consecutive year in Jefferson County, TN individuals and families living with disabilities are invited to a FREE four hour event that features boat rides, bank fishing, archery, kayaking, animals, climbing wall, arts and crafts, games, airsoft target shooting, hay ride, lunch, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and resource exhibitors. Plus, in honor of this 10th anniversary celebration some special activities have been added such as a zip line, dunk tank, anniversary back packs and buttons and more! The Access-Life Expo which is an outreach of Access-Life, Inc. (www.access-life.org) will be held on August 17th, 2019 from 10am to 2pm at the Cherokee Dam Park (2805 N Highway 92, Jefferson City, TN 37760). Access-Life, Inc. which exists to develop and execute programs and events for people living with disabilities that share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as connect them to Christ honoring churches, organizations, resources and people within their community is based in Altoona, FL but executes community outreaches across the southeastern US and internationally in South Florida, North Texas, East Tennessee as well as Central Belize. It was founded and is run by Doug and Leanne Goddard who are a family living with disability themselves. Doug actually grew up in Dandridge and attended Jefferson County high school both before and after the diving accident that resulted in his spinal cord injury. “Disability is a non-exclusive club to which anyone can join at anytime,” states Doug Goddard Co-Founder/Co-Director of the ministry. “Take me for example. I was a healthy athletic 15 year-old before my accident.” Doug became a quadriplegic in 1983 after unknowingly diving into shallow water due to the changing of the ocean tide. “God has been completely faithful to bring so much good to my life and help me overcome the challenges of my disability and that is the hope we pray those who come to our events can see and realize. God is good and will pour out blessings and do amazing things for people regardless of their ability or disability.” Access-Life Expos are designed to provide a time of Christ centered encouragement, support and fun for individuals and families of all ages living with any disability. Moms and Dads find respite and a venue of support, siblings experience friendships outside the basic family dynamic and of course individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to do things they never believed they could do. For more information on registering to participate or volunteer please go to www.access-life.org or call (352) 455-9926.