Women on the Rise: Living Beyond Limits with Jenna Udenberg
In this powerful episode of the BFF Empowerment Podcast, host Black Diamond sits down with Jenna Udenberg, an inspiring disability advocate, accessibility educator, and author of Within My Spokes. From growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to becoming a manual wheelchair user at just 8 years old, Jenna shares her journey of resilience, advocacy, and creating a more inclusive and accessible world.
Jenna opens up about her Bush Fellowship experience, founding the nonprofit Above and Beyond with U, and her mission to empower others with disabilities to find their voice. She dives deep into the difference between the medical model vs. social model of disability, why “disability” is not a bad word,” and the importance of universal design and going beyond ADA compliance.”
Listeners will be inspired by Jenna’s tapestry of pain, growth, and freedom, her advocacy for mobility accessibility, and her insights on how small mindset shifts can create a big impact in breaking down ableism. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), as well as those looking to champion disability rights in their communities.
🔥 Topics Covered:
- Living with juvenile arthritis & navigating life as a wheelchair user
- Building inclusive communities through education & advocacy
- The truth about accessibility beyond ADA checklists
- Empowering others to embrace their disability identity
- Jenna’s nonprofit journey & author insights
📚 Grab Jenna’s book: Within My Spokes, available on Amazon
🌐 Learn more here: aboveandbeyondwithu.org
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Jenna Udenberg
Within My Spokes
Jenna Udenberg is a lifelong resident from the Northshore of Minnesota and is a former music educator of 19 years. She has used a manual wheelchair since the age of 8 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 the seated perspective. Within My Spokes: A Tapestry of Pain, Growth & Freedom is Jenna’s published memoir which you can find on the A&BWU website, on Amazon or wherever you find your books. In her free time, you can find Jenna outdoors on paved trails or fishing with friends, playing board and card games, as well as coaching the Robo Dweebs, a LEGO robotics team. Jenna is the founder of the non-profit, Above & Beyond With U, which works to increase accessibility and inclusion in Minnesota and beyond.