Jenna Lambert Part 2: Enabling Perspectives

Previously, I told you about the remarkable story of Jenna Lambert, the now sixteen year old who became the first female with a physical disability to swim thirty two kilometers across Lake Ontario.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a year and a half, Lambert walks with the aid of crutches and has had numerous surgeries to help with mobility. Due to a lack of mobility in her legs, Jenna Lambert swims using her upper body, almost exclusively.

On July 18th and 19th 2006, Lambert entered the waters of Lake Ontario at Baird Point New York and arrived thirty-two hours later at Lake Ontario Park in Kingston Ontario, to the cheers of hundreds of supporters. The swim raised over two hundred thousand dollars for a new pool at the Kingston YMCA for children with disabilities.

Lambert remains humble despite her remarkable accomplishments. “I did the swim for my enjoyment,” she says. “The money we have been able to raise is so exciting! This other stuff is just an added bonus.”

The “other stuff” Lambert is referring to includes being recognized by the Provincial Government for her contributions to the Kingston Community. On April 11th 2007, Kingston This Week reported that Lambert received the, “Leading Girls, Building Communities Award from Sandra Pupatello, the Minister responsible for Women’s issues. The award recognizes women eighteen years old and younger who demonstrate remarkable leadership to improve the lives of others and champion issues that lead to positive social change.

But the recognition for the impact on her community did not stop there.

In February 2007 Lambert became the twenty –seventh recipient of the Gus Marker trophy recognizing her as Kingston’s amateur athlete of the year. Also in February 2007, Jenna and her mentor, marathon swimmer Vicki Keith were featured in a thirty second TV chimerical that aired on CBC and CTV Sports Net.

The TV spots, raised funds for the YMCA’s Strong Kids program. A program designed to sponsor families and children who can not afford to participate in learn to swim programs. Not one to rest on her laurels, Jenna Lambert says that she would like to go to College or University to pursue a career in radio or television broadcasting.

Another marathon swim is also a possibility. The Kingston Whig Standard reports that she is considering swimming the Catalina Channel, a thirty three Kilometer distance between the Los Angeles Harbor and the Catalina Islands. For sixteen year old Jenna Lambert who believes that, “the only disability out there is a bad attitude,” the best of what she is capable of is yet to come.

Even more remarkable than the things Jenna Lambert has accomplished however is her approach to her challenges. She is a born again Christian who has a simple but profound approach to challenges, particularly challenges related to spiritual warfare.

In a recent interview she stated: “all you need to defeat the Devil is two sticks.” She wasn’t referring to the crutches she uses for balance, but to the cross of Jesus Christ in which she puts her hope and finds her victory.

What do you think?

Contributing Writer: Terry Harris