ABOUT ME

Who I Am Behind the Words

Hi, I’m Jenni Bailey — a cerebral palsy poetry writer whose journey with words began in childhood. Writing has been more than a creative outlet for me; it’s been a lifeline. Living with cerebral palsy has shaped every part of who I am, but it never silenced me. In fact, it gave me more to say. While some may see limits, I see layers — of feeling, of experience, of truth. My poetry lives in that space where pain meets power, and darkness meets beauty. I invite you to explore a world that doesn’t hold back.

Writing Through Struggle, Speaking Through Silence

My work is unapologetically raw. As a woman who has lived through trauma, I write to process what most people are too afraid to say out loud. I am proud to be part of a generation of women poets on trauma — those who turn heartbreak into verses and turn vulnerability into art. My poems are honest, haunting, and often heavy, but they are also human. They are born from moments of isolation, anger, loss, and healing. Whether you’re reading My Feelings or The Caterpillar, know that every line is written with intention and lived truth.

The Military, My Father, and My Voice

Growing up in a military family deeply shaped my identity. My father served in the Air Force for two decades, and his deployments left deep impressions on my heart. My connection to him was unbreakable, and his absences marked both my childhood and my writing. My poetry often reflects military life experiences in poetry, bringing to light the quiet heartbreak of children who wait, families who serve from home, and daughters who miss their fathers. I also explore the unique strength it takes to love someone in uniform, making space for military spouse poetry through my perspective as a daughter.

My Disability, My Creativity, My Truth

Living with a visible difference in a world that prizes perfection can be exhausting. But I’ve found light through disability and self-expression through poetry. Writing allows me to speak on my own terms, with my own rhythm, and without the need for anyone’s permission. It is both rebellion and release. Cerebral palsy and creative expression are inseparable in my life — each poem becomes a declaration that my voice matters, my body is capable, and my story is worth telling. I write for those like me, and those still searching for their way to speak.

Making Room for Every Voice

I don’t write for applause. I write because I have to. As a representative of inclusive voices in contemporary poetry, I believe the world needs more truth-tellers — not polished perfection. My work challenges assumptions, stirs emotions, and invites deep reflection. I am also honored to be recognized for creating poetry by a writer with cerebral palsy, adding to the diverse landscape of modern literature. Whether you’re here to feel something or to see yourself in someone else’s story — thank you for reading. You are part of this journey now.