When we think about adventure, we often picture hiking up mountains, trekking through forests, or exploring remote destinations on foot. But what happens when your mobility is limited to a wheelchair? For Jenna Udenberg, this isn’t a limitation – it’s simply a different way to experience adventure, one that has shaped her into a powerful advocate for accessibility in outdoor spaces.
Photos Courtesy of Jenna Udenberg
Jenna’s journey began at age seven when she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (later re-classified as juvenile idiopathic arthritis). By age eight, she was using a wheelchair. Growing up in Two Harbors, Minnesota, along the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior, Jenna was naturally drawn to the outdoors. She was a self-described tomboy who loved fishing, snowmobiling, and exploring with her family. However, as her condition progressed and her mobility decreased, many of these activities became increasingly difficult to access.
Despite these challenges, Jenna pursued her passion for music, becoming a left-handed trumpet player against all odds when her band teacher initially told her “there is no such thing as left-handed trumpet players.” Her determination led to a 19-year career as a music educator, where she found particular joy in creating an adaptive music program that made music accessible to children with disabilities. One of her most touching memories involves a non-verbal student who, after participating in her program, sang “I love you” to their parents for the first time – a moment that demonstrated the transformative power of accessibility and inclusion.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant turning point in Jenna’s life. With her compromised immune system, she had to leave teaching and enter disability retirement. During this difficult transition, she was selected as a 2020 Bush Fellow – an opportunity that allowed her to invest in herself and develop her leadership skills during a time of major life changes. This fellowship became the catalyst for her next chapter as an accessibility educator, disability advocate, and founder of the nonprofit “Above and Beyond With U.”
Perhaps the most life-changing development during this period was discovering the Firefly, a front-wheel attachment for her manual wheelchair that essentially turns it into an e-bike. The Firefly gave Jenna newfound independence and access to trails and outdoor spaces that had previously been inaccessible. Suddenly, state parks, nature trails, and scenic views that she had only glimpsed from her car were within reach. The freedom to explore these spaces independently transformed her perspective and reignited her love for outdoor adventure.
What makes Jenna’s advocacy particularly powerful is her emphasis on “nothing for us without us” – the principle that accessibility initiatives must include disabled people at every stage of planning, not just as an afterthought. She points out that true accessibility goes beyond simply checking boxes to meet ADA requirements. It requires understanding the lived experiences of people with various disabilities and incorporating that knowledge into design from the beginning. 
Jenna’s nonprofit, “Above and Beyond With U,” promotes this philosophy. The name itself carries significant meaning – “Above and Beyond” represents exceeding minimum accessibility requirements, while “With U” acknowledges that progress happens through authentic relationships and a play on her name Udenberg. Through her organization, her published book “Within My Spokes,” and her public speaking, Jenna is changing perceptions about disability and accessibility one conversation at a time.
For Jenna, adventure is about stepping out of your comfort zone – whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. It’s about finding what puts “wind back in your sails” and makes you feel fully human. Through her advocacy and her own adventures with the Firefly, she’s demonstrating that accessibility isn’t just about compliance – it’s about enabling everyone to experience the joy, freedom, and connection that comes from exploring the world around them.
