“I Don’t Think About Why I Can’t” | A Teen Redefines Disability & Possibility

 In Part One of this inspiring ANEW Insight conversation, Dr. Supatra Tovar sits down with Jennifer & Kennedy, a powerful mother-daughter duo redefining what it means to live fully. Recorded after their shared TEDx experience, this episode centers on Kennedy’s perspective as a teenager living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and her belief that disability does not define limitations.

Kennedy shares how she uses an eye-gaze communication device to express herself, build independence, and connect deeply with others, while reminding listeners that she wants to be seen for who she truly is: a typical teenager who loves friends, music, travel, dreams, and big possibilities. Together, this conversation explores self-belief, resilience, inclusion, and why you don’t need to know how something  will happen to believe it’s possible.

This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence, joy, and purpose are built by focusing on what can go right rather than what might go wrong. Perfect for parents, teens, educators, and anyone navigating self-doubt, disability, or fear-based thinking.

🎧 Listen now and return for Part Two featuring Jennifer’s journey as a parent, coach, and advocate.

Feeling inspired by Jennifer & Kennedy’s story? Continue the journey and connect with them directly:

🌐 Learn more about Jennifer’s coaching work:
https://jenniferswanncoaching.com/

📸 Follow Jennifer & Kennedy on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferandkennedy/

📘 Join the community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/octoberswann/

🎧 If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that possibility is always greater than fear.

#anewinsightpodcast #disabilityrepresentation #teenresilience #limitlesspossibility #inclusionmatters #selfbelief #traumainformedcare #neurodiversity #livingfully  #drsupatratovar #drtovar #supatratovar #jennifer #kennedyswann #anewinsight #deprogramdietculture #nutrionalpsychology #hopeandresilience #mindsetshift #joyfulliving 

Transcript

dr--supatra-tovar_1_11-05-2025_160433: 0:00

Hello and welcome everyone. I am so honored to have powerhouse mother daughter duo, Jennifer and Kennedy Swann with us today. Hello, you two. Welcome to the podcast. Hi. I met Jennifer and Kennedy at TEDx Temecula and we shared the stage together. And I just have to say it, it was transformative for me to meet these two. Um, they were so inspiring and brought everyone to their feet for a standing ovation, and so I want everybody to hear their inspiring and incredible. Story. So I'm gonna read a little bit about Jennifer and Kennedy and then the first half of this podcast is just gonna be me and Kennedy and we are going to be exploring all things teenager in her world and what, uh, she's all about. Guided by Kennedy's example, Jennifer discovered her true calling to help other parents of children with special needs move beyond survival and reclaim meaning, confidence, and joy. Through her proprietary flourish method, she teaches families how to live fully. Not despite adversity, but through it. She's become a powerful advocate for inclusion and joy. And still hopes her mom will one day take her on a rollercoaster. Come on, Jennifer. Together, Jennifer and Kennedy share an unbreakable bond and a shared mission to show that even when life doesn't go as planned, you can still flourish with love, laughter, and limitless hope, love, laughter, and limitless hope. So Kennedy, it was just absolutely amazing to meet you and to become friends with you. We really bonded backstage and had so much fun, joking around, flirting with boys, you know, doing what girls do. So Kennedy, I really would wanna talk about, uh, your inspiration. Um, you inspired so many people with your TEDx talk and with your online presence. Oh my gosh, yes. We had so many rehearsals. Thankfully I was so grateful for that. We had a speaker coach who helped us weekly, which was really invaluable and helped to shape our speeches. I know that Kennedy was really nervous on that day, and she needed me and John Luca, her crush to help her, you know, pump her up for her performance.

jennifer-swann_1_11-05-2025_160433: 0:06

A lot of people don't understand when I try to talk using my voice, but when I use my eye gaze, I know they're going to understand me. I have had an eye gaze since just before I turned three. I use my device at school all day long, but when I don't feel like working, I use my eyes to turn it off. Helps them be more independent, helps them feel more like, um, you know, just regular kids and a part of everything else. So I, I really love that you're able to use this and you've been able to use this for so long, and I gotta say. You know, when you do communicate, it's really fascinating to hear how your mom, you know, she really does understand, uh, when you do use your voice. I think a lot of people feel sorry for me. They think it must be so hard living with SMA and needing help with everything. They don't understand that SMA is not stopping me from doing anything that I want to do. I wish people could just see me as a typical teenager. I like all the things most 15-year-old girls like boys, Disney, makeup, FaceTimes with friends and going to restaurants to see if there are any cute waiters. And sometimes I need a wing woman to help me with boys. And it is just so fun and it's so true. Kennedy is just like every other teenager I've ever met. Boy, crazy loving FaceTime, loving socialization, getting out there. So I think that that's a really powerful thing for you, Kennedy, is to show people that, um, you know, a disability doesn't stop you and certainly you don't, um, you don't embrace, you know, having that as, uh, an impediment.

dr--supatra-tovar_1_11-05-2025_160433: 0:10

Well, I can totally attest to doing the same thing, although I have to say my husband really doesn't like it when I cuss, although I think it's a sign of honesty, um, and spontaneity as well. And I think it's, you know, when used appropriately, it can be pretty darn and funny. I have some favorite songs of my own, uh, when I, um. You're able to shake it off. So I would love to know what message you want to send to other young people, especially those navigating disabilities or self-doubt. What do you want to impart on people about creating a life that they love? Oh, absolutely. I agree 100% with you. You know, I think that we're conditioned in this world to think of the worst thing that can happen, the worst case scenario, rather than the best case scenario. We're usually conditioned to think of what will go wrong rather than what will go right. And we often limit ourselves and think this is something that I can't do.

jennifer-swann_1_11-05-2025_160433: 0:13

I plan to marry John Luca when I'm old enough. Hopefully he waits for me. I want to go to Paris and to Disney World again. I really want to go on a Caribbean cruise, on the Disney Treasure cruise ship. I also want to FaceTime Olivia Rodrigo and go to a Sean Mendez concert, and I still want to go on a roller coaster. I never know how I'm going to do anything I want to do. I just do the thing I can do to get me closer, and then it works out. Years ago I wanted to FaceTime Disney actress Brennd D'Amico. I had no connection to her, so I didn't know how I was going to do this. I just asked everybody I knew if they knew her. And I asked my mom to post on Facebook. After about six months. I found out that my friend Nikki, who was a model in New York, knew a guy who knew Brenna. I got her phone number and FaceTimed her. Then she moved to LA from New York and came to my house to hang out.

dr--supatra-tovar_1_11-05-2025_160433: 0:15

Oh wow. I love this story. I, you know, you are a testament to making sure that you set your sights on something that you want, and then just working your way to making that happen. With your mom's help and with all of the help of the people around you, you have quite the network. I know someday you are gonna be FaceTiming Olivia Rodrigo, and there is absolutely no reason why you can't go to a Sean Mendes concert. Oh absolutely. I'm so honored that you came on my podcast, and thank you all for joining us. We are gonna be coming back for the second half of this podcast with the amazing Jennifer Swann. Uh, and we're gonna be discussing all things mom on her end. But I am so pleased to have you on this podcast, Kennedy, and I hope everyone comes back for the second half of this amazing episode.