First and foremost, I’m a mom. I brag about my kid a lot. Deal with it.
Second only to my incredibly awesome progeny are my “girls.” I share my home with two beautiful 110-pound Dobermans who are every bit as challenging and in-your-face as I am. Actually, they’re cows… with really big teeth… but sweet loving babies nonetheless.
I regularly mangle my mother tongue enough to cause a linguist whiplash. I use a surfer-girl “Dood,” a southern “Ya’ll” and a north prairie “Eh?” Often all in one sentence. As in “Dude, when ya’ll come over, bring more beer, eh?
I love hockey, MMA and beer. I also love marathoning, wine and good literature. My political views are mostly progressive. I believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and yes, I have read them.
I am a victim of gun violence, a gun owner and an advocate for sanity in our gun laws here in Arizona.
I serve on a number of boards and committees. My views are mine and do not reflect any organization with which I’m affiliated.
Oh, I’m a full-time wheelchair user. I am paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. I write about that too.
Comments are moderated only to filter out devotees (if you don’t know what that means then you aren’t one). You can disagree with me and it will be posted.
Since we’re talking about devotees, I do not welcome your attention. Please, go away.
Here’s the boring stuff…
Chair, Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues.
Member, Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
Public Impact Advisor – Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Adjunct Trainer, Maricopa County Elections Department teaching civil rights of voters with disabilities; how to ensure that polling places are accessible on Election Day; and providing good customer service to all people.
Guest Lecturer, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University
2010 Recipient Unbeaten Spirit Award which honors individuals who have shown an indomitable spirit for their work on behalf of the disability community.
Adult Educator, Speaker, Writer and Advocate, creating educational modules for groups with a focus on disability awareness, accessibility and diversity.
jenlongdon.com 
You are a survivor, I would like to know you someday. Hang in there. The road is always hard, but worth it.
Glad to have found your blog and to be connected! I like it so far. Hope to see you on SPINALpedia.com soon so we can help you spread your story and what you do more!
Hi Jennifer, I couldn’t find you on Facebook Please drop me a note via my e-mail at wdutche1@tampabay.rr.com
Hi Jennifer,
On behalf of Huntington Beach, CA, a nationally recognized bicycle freindly community, I’d like to extend a warm invitation to you to begin or end your coast to coast here.
Best Regards,
Dan Hazard
Co founder Huntington Beach Bicycle Advocates (HuBBA)
Hi Dan!
Thank you! That sounds great! My race partner, Kelly is the experienced handbiker having done a x-country race and most recently, Ragnar Iowa, is planning our route. I passed this on to her. We’ll stay in touch!
Jennifer, I don’t know if you read these posts. Do you remember Preston Longino? He gave you a wheel chair. I am his cousin and his sister called me on November 2, 2012. I wanted to let you know he passed away. I don’t know the cause, but suspect it was heart related.
Chip Longino
Hello Jennifer, I’m glad to have found you.
Hi Jennifer. You have really given me a new perspective on living with a disability. My husband and I met you and David on your vacation to Fiji Bequa Island right before you were shot. We were staying in the burre right next to yours. I had heard about what happened to you shortly after the shooting. We were watching a TV show tonight about gun laws in Arizona and you were being interviewed. I asked my husband to back up the video clip because I thought it was you since the story you told matched the one I had been told about you. I can not imagine what you have endured over the past 10 years. Every time I think of you and David on that Fiji trip I think about the obvious love and joy of being together you two shared. David is a kind man who was clearly madly in love with you. I also so appreciated you helping us with our sea sickness when we went out on the scuba diving boat with you and the wind and waves kicked up.
Thank you for sharing your life and for the honesty of your words. I have been fortunate to have good health but I never again want to take that for granted.
I remember you Suzanne! Didn’t you and your husband buy a table and have it shipped home? Thank you for your kind words and your memories of David. I am the most fortunate woman ever to have been loved by him. It was a great trip was it not? I love those memories.
I hope you’re well.
Do I know you?
Please note: message attached
I don’t know. Should we know each other?
Hi Jennifer!
Yes we are the ones who bought the table. I forgot you were in the store with us at that time. We still have it in our living room. Yes it was a wonderful trip. Very relaxing, peaceful, and the locals were so friendly. We really enjoyed it there. I remember you and David practicing your kicks each morning out on the lawn. I remember you going into the village and teaching the children. Didn’t the locals give you some traditional food to take back to the resort?
I am so glad you have a warrior spirit Jennifer. It has served you well.