Ever since she was a little girl, 20 year old Em Jordan loved to sing. She began writing music and performing competitively from about age nine. Em also plays the piano, guitar and saxophone. Music makes her feel good about herself and is a form of self-expression.
Born with spina bifida, Em grew up in Newmarket and currently resides in Bothwell when not in school. She has learned to adapt to the challenges of her condition and is grateful to her parents for helping her develop self-advocacy skills. Her life-long dream is to become a high school music teacher.
Em is a past recipient of Hydrocephalus Canada’s scholarship and bursary programs. She now studies and lives in residence at Sir Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, where she is enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Music Program. She has a Minor in History.
Academic life has not always been easy for Em. Since she switched to Sir Wilfred Laurier University, she now feels accepted and understood by both the students and her professors.
Em has more friends; her professors are friendly, accepting and understanding of her accommodation needs. These accommodations include a quiet area to write her exams which is free of distractions and extra time to complete them. Her professors know that she must leave her classes at a moment’s notice without question for a health break and that she may occasionally be late.
Em addresses any concerns before they fester and she works with her professors to find solutions. If she misses any classes, or is late, she emails her professors for updates and has regular communications with them.
She shares a dormitory with four other girls and has her own private washroom. Everyone gets along well. Most of all, Em knows she can trust and count on them.
All of Em’s classes are within walking distance on the campus so she has more energy to study. There is a range of food options at the onsite cafeteria that she can choose from that meet her dietary needs.
Em appreciates the ongoing support she has received from Hydrocephalus Canada, which began in her childhood. She has fond memories of staff member Shauna Beaudoin who was on site for her appointments at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Shauna was friendly and encouraging, openly sharing her lived experience of spina bifida which meant a lot to Em.
When she was eight years old, her family had a fundraiser called “Have a Heart for Emily”, in support of Hydrocephalus Canada. Customers at the family’s former business, Clancy’s Meat Market, donated funds to raise awareness for spina bifida and help other children like her. It was also an opportunity for her family to express gratitude for the support they have received from the association.
Em also met her current music teacher/mentor, Danny Lamb (a Hydrocephalus Canada Ambassador) through the organization.
“We have been working together for many years now. Danny helped me write and release my first song called ‘House of Cards’ – a song about my story of living with spina bifida which is available on YouTube. Danny and I travelled to many different places in the USA and Ontario to perform it. It was a cool experience for me that has helped my confidence in sharing my story.”
Em offers the following advice for anyone with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus: “Work hard to go above and beyond to be successful at anything you set out to achieve. Persevere through all the obstacles that can be thrown your way. Stay positive. Don’t let your challenges get in your way. Find your passion. Use your voice to show the world that people do not need to be defined by their story or the challenges they face. Focus on the abilities that you do have. Anything is possible.”
