Allow me to re-introduce myself (Part 2)
from Her Herd
In this second part of Jen's raw and honest re-introduction, the conversation dives deeper into the "authentic mess" of rural motherhood, personal health battles, and the relentless fight for better healthcare for country families. Jen opens the episode with a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother, Gwen, whose legacy of empathy and unwavering support serves as the foundational spirit for Her Herd. The episode recounts the harrowing "s***show" of Jen’s pregnancy with Charlie, including a disastrous MRI experience where she battled claustrophobia and physical illness while trying to diagnose chronic bladder stones. This personal struggle is mirrored by Charlie’s own medical journey—facing 35 ear infections in a single year and a lack of immune response to vaccinations—which forced Jen to navigate a public health system that often leaves rural families waiting years for basic surgeries like grommets. Jen also shares behind-the-scenes stories of her advocacy at the policy level, from attending 60 meetings with politicians in 2025 to "raw dogging" a high-pressure panel at the Bush Summit. She exposes the harsh realities of rural health, such as "bypass" and "non-operational" wards, where hospitals are technically open but lack the staff or resources to safely deliver babies
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