How to Turn Your Disability to Ability and Soar Above Circumstances

How to Turn Your Disability to Ability and Soar Above Circumstances

From Never Ever Give Up Hope by Carol Graham

January 2, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

Jenna Udenberg shares her journey from struggling with severe arthritis and suicidal thoughts to becoming an inspiring community leader and advocate for those with disabilities.

When Jenna Udenberg was fifteen, she had a suicide plan due to tough medical issues and severe physical pain from her arthritis. She lived in bed. But she pulled herself from those very dark, tough times to become an inspiration to many who suffer from disabilities. Jenna Udenberg is a former music educator of 19 years. She has used a manual wheelchair since the age of eight due to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Jenna is a 2017 Blandin Foundation Community Leader, a 2020 Bush Fellow, and a 2025 Shannon Leadership Institute Fellow. Writing for the Lake County Press in her column, "Local View from 4 foot 2 , inspires vulnerability and the sharing of lived experiences from a seated perspective. In her interview, Jenna shared how she went from feeling hopeless to inspiring anyone who may be struggling with life-changing circumstances beyond their control. Why is disability not a bad word? ● Going beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act code matters, as we are not a checklist. ● Why are accessibility and inclusion important? ● How did you overcome daily challenges? XXXXX BUY JENNA'S BOOK HERE Life is always beautiful, no matter what it looks like, because of the tapestry of…

People in this episode

Guest: Jenna Udenberg

Topics covered

  • disability
  • inspiration
  • mental health
  • overcoming adversity

Keywords

  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
  • community leader
  • Bush Fellow
  • Blandin Foundation

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Local View from 4 foot 2, Within My Spokes, Local View from 4' 2

Places: North Shore, Lake Superior

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