2020 Bush Fellow Jenna Udenberg: An advocate for people with disabilities

By Andrea Busche

TwoHarbors resident Jenna Udenberg, a music teacher and advocate for individuals with disabilities, was honored recently when she was named a 2020 Bush Fellow. This special recognition is bestowed by the Bush Foundation, which provides grants and investments to support organizations and people who think differently about solutions to problems in our communities.

Bush Fellows receive up to $100,000, over 12-24 months, to pursue formal and informal learning experiences that help them develop the skills and relationships they need to become more effective. Fellows can use the funding to pursue advanced education, networking opportunities, leadership resources, workshops and training.

This year, 24 Fellows were named. All 24 hail from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations within those states.

Personal platform

The Bush Foundation’s recent press release shared a bit about Udenberg’s personal platform:

“Jenna Udenberg is on a mission to make the world a more inclusive place for people with disabilities, especially her home community on the North Shore of Lake Superior. A wheelchair user from an early age, she understands the physical and intangible societal barriers facing disabilities. She wants to change attitudes, approaches and accessibility so that the North Shore of Minnesota becomes a destination for people with disabilities and a model of welcome other areas can emulate. To become both an expert and advocate for change, she needs to learn how to better tell her story to remove the chasm between the non-disabled and disabled worlds. She will also pursue advanced training in universal design and visit other locations known for cutting-edge accessibility.”

Early challenges

At age 7, Udenberg was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Later in life, in her early 30s, the diagnosis changed slightly — to juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Receiving an accurate diagnosis was a relief.

“Juvenile idiopathic arthritis acts differently than regular rheumatoid arthritis,” Udenberg explained. “I was always a weird puzzle for the doctors. So, getting the correct diagnosis has been really powerful in my story.”

Udenberg has used a wheelchair since age 8. This shows just how quickly the arthritis affected her mobility.

“It only took one year for me to go from being fully ablebodied to being in a wheelchair most of the time,” she said.

Udenberg hails from a supportive family which, in addition to her parents, included three older siblings. She explained a few of the adaptations her family made to accommodate their new life.

“I wasn’t able to swallow pills, so my mom had to grind up my medications and mix them with strawberry glaze,” she said. “And we lived in a split-level house, so until we had a ramp built, my parents had to pull me up and down the stairs.”

Over the years, Udenberg has had numerous surgeries related to her arthritis, including many joint replacements. She has had both ankles and knees, her right hip and her left elbow replaced. Along with the subsequent “revision surgeries,” she has endured 17 orthopedic surgeries.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of my physical and occupational therapists as well as nurses, doctors and surgeons who have been like an extended family to me all these years,” she said.

Education and career

Udenberg is a graduate from Two Harbors High School. In her youth, she developed a love of music, and against all odds, became a highly successful left-handed trumpet player.

She attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she earned a double-major in vocal and instrumental music education. She later earned a Master’s of Education degree from the College of St. Scholastica.

Today, Udenberg is a music teacher. She teaches K-5 music education at Minnehaha Elementary School in Two Harbors, and general music and choir for students at William Kelley High School in Silver Bay.

Additionally, she works closely with the FIRST Lego League Robotics program, which she began as a collaboration with others seven years ago.

“FLL is a great international organization that inspires students to find and solve real world problems using 21st century skills and STEM,” she said.

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