A little bit about me!

 

 

A little bit about me!

People always want to know why I am the way I am.  Sometimes I think they are talking about my Physical disability and sometimes I know they are talking about my other Abilities.  My name is Jenna and I was born 28 years ago to a very happy mom and dad who had great dreams for me.  Six months later I developed a rare disease that left me with cerebral palsy and a quadriplegic.

So why aren’t I living a quiet life hiding from the world that doesn’t understand me?  Why aren’t I allowing people’s attitudes to keep me down?  I was lucky to have a mother who demanded that my life would be as exciting and normal and difficult as my siblings.  She taught me how to speak, how to use my words to bring people to me and to advocate for myself.  My family always made sure that I was fully included in our daily lives and they would forego special events if it was not accessible for me also.  And in that way I became confident and strong as a young capable woman.

I was a Girl Guide who earned her Canada Cord (the highest honour), sang in choirs, and even belonged to a baseball team.  I camped, and wheeled in parades, and I helped raise money for accessible playgrounds.  I advocated even as a child by talking to reporters and having my picture and story told in newspapers and T.V.  I had a job with the Children’s Commission developing and then doing the marketing for a magazine.

I attended school for 13 years and was integrated into most classrooms, but because of my cognitive disability I could not graduate with a dogwood, but graduate, I did with my classmates.  After high school I audited classes in Social Work at the University of Victoria for five years.  I held two part time jobs there as a library assistant and library resource person.  I have spoken to many groups that include principals of schools, government officials, future teachers and care workers.  I have taught classes at colleges and universities.

There are those that look at me and see a woman who speaks with a funny accent, who can’t walk, who uses a power wheelchair.  They might see someone who isn’t their definition of cool, or pretty, or smart.  I say that they are blind.  They haven’t bothered to see what I offer the world.

 I have insight that most people will never develop, I have developed a sense of intuition and have learned to be street savvy.  I know how to market myself and those charities that I support.  I work with computers, and other electronic media.  And most of all having been challenged in the way that I have over the years, and learned to overcome using those challenges I have created opportunities for learning, developing  meaningful relationships and sharing laughter with those that I love.  These skills make me a valuable employee and co-worker.  So the question I pose here is “Why don’t I have a job?”