SJM_SouthernExposure_1220_SouthernExposure_11_08 12 / 11 / 20 10 : 06 AM Page 4 SPOTLIGHT Regan says her motherly instincts are to fiercely advocate for her four chil - dren , but she admits she is a little extra Jenna Regan protective of Brooklyn , who is now 2 . “ We are often approached when out WITH FOUR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE question : in public with the notorious OF 5 , ONE WOULD THINK THERE AREN’T ‘ What happened to her hand ? ’ Normal - ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY FOR JENNA ly , the mother or father cringe at their REGAN . Yet , the doting mother found time to child asking — but we release her first children’s book , Brooklyn’s encourage it , ” Lucky Fin , during a worldwide pandemic . For Regan says . “ It’s the former Cinnaminson elementary school OK to ask . It’s teacher , it was a passion project near and dear OK to be curi - to her heart . ous . Before When Regan’s third child Brooklyn was having a child born , she and her husband Jim were with a limb “ shocked ” to find out that their daughter had difference , I was a limb difference . And so , while Brooklyn may probably that not have the same two hands as most kids her mom who said , age , Regan wanted to find a way to celebrate ‘ Don’t stare or her uniqueness while also trying to give other ask any ques - families with similar situations a bit of inspira - tions ! ’ But now tion . Partial proceeds of the book , which sold being on this than 700 copies in its first two weeks of more end , I want to release , will be directed to the Lucky Fin Pro - normalize that it’s OK to ask questions . I tool , traveling to various school districts to ject . The organization helps spread awareness have learned that by teaching children to ask share her message with as many children as about the limb different community . and to be curious , it is normalizing the limb possible . “ My first intention was to write a book for difference . By shying away or making a big “ The rate of bullying and suicide in young her classmates for when she attends school . I deal to look or ask , it makes it seem scary children is rising . I want to be an advocate for was an elementary school teacher for seven or bad . ” not only this book , but spreading kindness years and I wanted to tie in my love for books And Regan hopes to build on the success and love and to teach kids that it is OK to be with education for limb differences , ” says of the book , possibly creating a series that different . We are all different in some way Regan . “ After further thought , I decided to and obstacles her focuses on the challenges and some differences you can see and others write the book to share it with others . … The protagonist will face as she gets older . She’d you cannot . ” reception has been incredible . ” also like to use the book as an educational SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 17 issue 9 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 13