In this heartfelt and empowering episode, I sit down with Jenna Udenberg — lifelong Minnesotan, writer, educator, and disability advocate — to talk about leadership, inclusion, and living fully from every perspective.
A former music teacher of 19 years and a 2020 Bush Fellow, Jenna has used a wheelchair since the age of 8, and she’s turned her lived experience into a platform for awareness and connection. In her column, Local View from 4 Foot 2, she invites readers into honest conversations about accessibility, identity, and joy.
In this episode, we explore:
🎵 Why “disability” isn’t a bad word — and why embracing it matters
🌿 What it means to go beyond ADA checklists toward true inclusion
💛 How her life experiences shaped her resilience and leadership
📖 The process of writing her memoir and sharing her story
🌈 The joy she finds in nature, music, and mentoring youth
Jenna’s story reminds us that inclusion is not about making space — it’s about
recognizing that we all belong here, just as we are.
Connect with Jenna:
📰 Local View from 4 Foot 2 — Lake County Press
🌐 https://www.aboveandbeyondwithu.org/
Book: Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom https://a.co/d/c1SKamE
