This edition of our Advocate Spotlight shines on Jennifer Scott.

Photo courtesy of Jenn Scott.

In late January, NCAAR met with the South Jersey AIDS Alliance in Rio Grande to discuss naloxone training. Their office shares a building with the Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional Recovery Community Center, so I scheduled a visit for the NCAAR staff. During the tour, a peer was in the middle of a virtual training session in one of the meeting rooms, and we were asked to look briefly and not disturb her. As I glanced in, I was shocked and deeply emotional when I recognized Jennifer Scott participating in the training. 

Over the past couple of years, I have spoken with Jenn and her family many times. I sat beside her in the hospital as dedicated physicians fought to save both of her arms from amputation. No matter what challenges Jenn faced, her sister and daughter were by her side. Even when her sister was navigating her own health issues, she would make sure Jenn had visitors at the hospital to support her. She kept a daily journal of Jenn’s surgeries, treatment, and documented the issues that were a barrier to her recovery. Her sister and daughter loved and advocated for her when she was unable to care for herself. 

Jenn endured severe pain, withdrawal symptoms, and discrimination from some medical staff who were frustrated that she could not simply stop using drugs. Many failed to understand that her need for pain medication was not drug-seeking behavior, but a necessary response to her tolerance and serious medical condition. Despite a physician-developed pain protocol designed to keep her comfortable, Jenn was often denied appropriate pain control. As a result, she sometimes left the hospital to self-medicate for the pain and even overdosed following one of her surgeries. Throughout unimaginable pain and trauma, Jenn remained kind and grateful to those who treated her with dignity and compassion.

 Jenn Scott