Editorial Note: The Moebius Syndrome Foundation does not endorse candidates for political offices and the opinions expressed in the following article do not reflect that of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation, its staff, or Board of Directors. This article expresses the sole opinions of Mr. Jennings. This article first appeared on LinkedIn on October 18, 2024. 

Jensen Jennings is running for South Carolina’s House of Representatives for the 81st district on the Democratic ticket. The district covers the city of Aiken, SC. We talked with Jensen about the experiences that led him to running for office and growing up with Moebius syndrome. 

Jennings currently works for a nonprofit, Walton Options, which is a Center for Independent Living. The organization provides resources for individuals who have disabilities and connects them with services and programs that help them live independently. Jennings serves as the Individual and Systems Advocacy Specialist, a community advocacy role. He speaks with local and state politicians, community organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate and help get community members services so that they can live an independent life. This role has helped him build his skills for running for office. 

Q: Is this your first time running for office? What made you decide to run?

A: “As far as a legitimate local, state or federal office run, yes. However, I did run for student government when I was in community college at Santa Monica College back in 2010. I decided to run [for South Carolina House] because I see a need for young leaders who have fresh ideas, and who are willing to cross the aisle to get things done. Democracy only works when we have choices, and when there is a marketplace of ideas where we can hopefully get the best policies put forth.”

Q: Tell us more about your journey with getting involved in politics.

A: “I’ve pretty much always loved history and reading about it, so when I got to college I had intended to be a history major. In the process of taking courses, I took a political science course, and I realized I liked that politics was live and ever evolving. History was a great measure of society’s advancements, but politics allowed for one to make history. I suppose, I realized I had something to give, and the best way I could give was through public service. I went on to work on a few campaigns in California for Los Angeles area candidates, both were successful. I then went on to be a legislative aide up in Sacramento, California, for State Senator Steve Glazer, who was a moderate Democrat who had won a special election. During my time in the legislature, I learned the legislative process intimately, and was able to get bipartisan support for most of the bills I shepherded through the process. The issue areas I was most interested in were education, homelessness, housing, veteran affairs, and healthcare. These are areas that I still find interesting and I have crafted my campaign around addressing those issues.”

One of Jennings’ key interests is education policy and equity in accessing an education. “In my opinion, especially having a disability, if I didn’t have my education it would have been near impossible to get the doors open that I have, and that still has been a herculean task at times,” he writes. 

Q: How has having Moebius syndrome positively and/or negatively affected your running for office?

A: “The immediate thought I have is that it has a negative impact due to my speech impediment, but when I think about how it has also been a part of me since birth, and undoubtedly impacted my character in a positive way, then I lean towards at least semi-positive. Being born different not only are you looked at differently, but you look at the world differently. It certainly has given me the ability to empathize more with other people than I think I otherwise could have.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about being involved in politics?

A: “I enjoy being able to potentially be a part of the solution. When we work in a common effort, we find the best solutions which work for most people. I also like getting to meet people and hearing their stories because what I hear is that we share much more in common than divides us. I think I am also opening people’s eyes to the fact that people can have disabilities and still make a profound contribution.”

Q: What do you find the most challenging about being involved in politics?

A: “I am very much at times an introvert, and I need my recharge time which can be hard to get when you are constantly going.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone with Moebius who is considering running for office or getting involved in politics?

A: “Do it, what is the worst thing that could happen? We need people from all walks of life to step up and be leaders. My favorite quote is a George Bernard Shaw quote, ‘Some men see things as they are, and say why. I dream of things that never were, and say why not.’ Why not you?”

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about politics or running for office?

A: “If you want to change something, look no further than yourself to change it. It may be a bumpy road, but if you stay the course it will be worth it and you will be better having seen it through.”

Q: What was it like growing up with Moebius?

A: “For most if not all of us, growing up with Moebius is a mixed bag. From getting teased by classmates to being overprotected by parents, finding the happy medium can be hard. I was lucky, my mom and I took the approach that, yes I have Moebius, but that it was just one part of me. During my elementary school years, it was about finding out what accommodations I needed to be successful. Once I got some fairly basic accommodations such as extra time, I did well. I was mainstreamed throughout most of my academic career, and was even put in advanced classes for English and Social studies. As far as friends, I made many, some who at first may have teased me, but ultimately I befriended them. People often said that they thought my empathy, humor, and intelligence won people over, even those who teased or doubted me in the beginning.”

Q: How has having Moebius affected you physically?

A: “So, as we all know Moebius like most disabilities is a spectrum, and that also is true with respect to how it affects one physically. I have all my fingers, toes, hands, and feet, but I lack any athletic ability and I am fairly clumsy. But, as far as unique challenges it presents, I would say my speech impediment does sometimes hinder me a bit, but when I slow down, people understand what I say.”

Q: How has having Moebius affected you emotionally?

A: “This one is a great question, and one I think I am still trying to figure out at 34 years old [laughs]…Being teased and doubted over decades has a negative psychological effect because one starts to think what others say may be true. Luckily, I have a rather strong constitution, and in many ways, I think having Moebius has actually made me more empathetic and allows me to connect to others on a level most can’t. Emotionally, it can be tough, and it multiplies difficulties often, yet there is a strength which comes from having gone through all of it.”

Q: What advice would you give to people who are navigating living with Moebius?

A: “It is important to remember, we all have our own individual potential, and so judging yourself against others isn’t a way to judge success. Judge yourself by what you were yesterday, and be proud of how far you have come. Be not afraid of failure; be afraid of what ifs and complacency. Whatever you do, do it with compassion and intention.”

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Note: Jensen Jennings was not elected to office in 2024.