Jenna's advocacy work
- Speaker at a TEDxYouth event (2015)
- Hosted a webinar on becoming a parent with a disability Amplifying Voices webinar
- Speaker on being a hopeful parent with a disability with Amplifying Voices event
- Nominated for the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award (2015)
- Founded Phoenix Attitude Inc. and created the health sidekick app “Medical & Motivation”
- Featured in numerous publications and interviews on accessibility, the medical journey and home renovation for accessibility.
- Serves as an Ambassador of the Rick Hansen Foundation, speaking widely to children, companies and others about accessibility and inclusivity
- Previously on the Board of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of British Columbia
- Volunteered supporting families at children’s hospice, Canuck Place
- Volunteered supporting families in the spina bifida clinic of BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, while helping them advocate for themselves
- Spent time at West Toronto Legal Aid Clinic. Helped people facing eviction and homelessness, while helping find affordable housing, conducting intake interviews with potential clients and advocating for clients in vulnerable housing situations.
- Spent time at Victoria Brain Injury Program. Carried a caseload to help determine clients' abilities before and after surviving a brain injury, as well, as where they now need support. Helped find appropriate services to support their new lifestyle positively - trying to include families.
- Spent time at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children in Acute Rehabilitation. Helped patients and families discuss and determine meaningful short and long-term goals. Worked to reinforce these goals for the return home. Worked together with other practitioners from different disciplines to support the needs of the patients and their families. Learned to assess respite needs, and advocate for financial support for families to cope with current and future medical needs.
- Spent time at Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital for children. Created a space for young adults to access information on: higher education, sexual education, current education, socialization and independence - all while living with a medical condition that varied in severity. Met with parents to discuss how their child's individual needs could result in different forms of independence. Met with patients who might feel a kinship with me for having a visible medical condition and as an aspiring Social Worker.
- Worked as a crisis counsellor in an Employee Assistance Program, trained to assess for risk and provide guidance for meaningful support for: grief, depression, stress, trauma, and new life transitions.