When Jenny Muliola  Tupito first became a mother, she felt a mix of emotions. Joy, fear, awe, and a powerful sense of responsibility. 

Jenny has a physical disability requiring her to use crutches to move around. From an early age, she has been breaking barriers.

“I was so blessed because when you think about it, before that time I didn't get married, I was thinking that, I don't know if can have children but it's a different blessing from God,  what God thinks that can put you in a good situation to become a mother and  I'm quite happy,” she said. 

Jenny got married in 2013 to her partner and now has three beautiful children, one daughter who is 10 years old, and two sons, one is eight years old and one year old and four months old. Sadly, her second born passed away at birth.

 “It's really challenging. Not being a mother, but people's way of seeing me, that people with disability cannot have families,” said Jenny.

“But when you think about it, if we are equal, even though the start of my small family was difficult, over time I got used to it with the support from my husband and family members, making everything less overwhelming.

 Jenny's early education started at Vaitele Primary School, she moved to Faatuatua Christian College and then New Zealand, where she attended Mount Albert Grammar School.

After her return to Samoa, she started working at Senese Inclusive Education Support Services. She has been there for over 12 years now. 

Aside from work, Jenny has also been in an organisation of sign language interpreters for almost six years now. 

Her interest is in learning a third language, and her passion is for helping those who are deaf communicate with everyone.

“But if we learn how to sign, that's the way we communicate. We are trying to break the barrier of communication,” she said.

Before giving birth, Jenny encountered doubts and was constantly faced with the generalisation that people with disability cannot be employed or get married and have families.

“I’m strong because I’m a mother. Just like any mother, I love hard, fight hard, and keep going, no matter what.”

 Ever since Jenny was blessed with children, she said, “Every day is Mother's Day.”