“Your life doesn’t need to be defined by your illness.”
This is the motto that Jenna lives by every day. At just 21 years old, she is an accomplished healthcare advocate, dedicated community volunteer, and university student studying family studies.
Yet behind her bright smile and achievements, Jenna has had to overcome great adversity. She lives with two chronic illnesses and, from a young age, has struggled with her mental health.
Throughout her journey, the IWK has been there every step of the way. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the IWK,” says Jenna.
As a child, Jenna was often sick and frequently visited the IWK Emergency Department (ED). When she was 11, she went to the ED with a high fever, swelling in her joints, and rashes all over her body. The care team referred her to the IWK’s Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic, where she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)— the most common type of arthritis among children and teens.
“Being diagnosed was terrifying because I didn’t know arthritis could happen to kids,” Jenna explains. “The team at the rheumatology clinic explained everything in kid-friendly language so that I could understand what was happening and manage my pain and symptoms.”
Several years later, Jenna was diagnosed with another chronic illness called fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping.
Having a chronic illness comes with its challenges, both physically and mentally. Because of her illnesses and medications, Jenna has a weakened immune system. Growing up, she was often sick and admitted to the IWK’s Pediatric Medical Unit for inpatient care. With frequent hospital visits and changes in her body, Jenna felt a loss of control and struggled with her self-esteem and body image. In junior high, she developed an eating disorder and experienced severe depression and anxiety. She also began having suicidal thoughts and engaged in self-harm behaviours.
Thankfully, Jenna’s mom, Jo-Ann, was by her side—and so was the IWK. She received inpatient care from the IWK’s Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health and ongoing therapy with the IWK Mental Health and Addictions team. This support system helped Jenna get back to doing things she enjoyed, like spending time with friends and cheerleading.
During her inpatient stays at the IWK, Jenna experienced first-hand the importance of the Child Life team. Not only did they provide emotional support, but they also connected her to volunteer opportunities within the IWK, including the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). With their encouragement, Jenna joined YAC and worked alongside other patients to improve care and services at the IWK based on their experiences. She says, “Being on YAC for seven years was the stepping stone to every other opportunity I’ve had in health care advocacy.”
Through YAC, Jenna’s confidence grew, and she joined other councils to make an impact. Most recently, she joined the IWK’s Integrated Youth Services Youth Advisory Council (IYS YAC), which is helping shape Integrated Youth Services (IYS) in communities across the province.
Under the leadership of IWK Mental Health and Addictions, IYS will provide a safe space for youth aged 12 to 25 years to receive support for mental health, substance use and related issues within one location. As part of the IYS YAC, Jenna provides input on the design of these sites, the services they offer, and how they can best serve youth based on her own experiences in the mental health system.
For Jenna, having an IYS site in her community as she navigated school and mental health challenges would have been a lifeline.
“Growing up, it was hard to know where to go for mental health support. Having one location for information and programming would have made it less confusing,” she shares. “If I had some of the IYS services and programs in my youngest years, maybe it would have helped prevent some of the struggles that I did eventually face.”
Jenna believes that helping others helps you heal, which is why she shares her IWK story here at home and across the country. “My IWK journey is a huge part of who I am today,” says Jenna.
