Lower Limb Amputee Podcast
Resilience After Amputation | Armeda Batchler’s Journey from Cancer to Advocacy
In 2013, Armeda Batchler made the life-altering decision to amputate her left leg above the knee after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma—just months after becoming a new mother. Determined to push forward, she balanced recovery, parenting, and work with remarkable strength. Yet behind the resilience, Armeda faced hidden struggles: depression, isolation, and the difficulty of asking for help. Over time, she discovered the healing power of connection, rebuilding a local amputee support group and embracing advocacy to support others walking a similar path. In this heartfelt conversation, Armeda opens up about her cancer journey, the challenges of raising her daughter while adapting to limb loss, and how hope and community helped her transform struggle into purpose.
Amputee Coalition CEO Pay Doubles from 2019 to 2022
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland examines leadership at the Amputee Coalition. Between 2019 and 2022, CEO compensation jumped 107%. Cass Isidro led the organization from February 2023 until August 22, 2025. While reliable sources say she did a good job, Mike discusses why long-term leadership is vital for the limb loss community—highlighting the value of someone deeply committed to the cause rather than viewing the role as a career step. He also shares why he personally would not seek recommendation letters for the Certified Peer Visitor program.
Amputee Coalition Shake-Up: What Does the CEO’s Resignation Mean?
The Amputee Coalition is undergoing another major transition with the resignation of President & CEO Cass Isidro, who announced her last day will be August 22nd. In her farewell message, Isidro stated that her work had been about “restoring the Amputee Coalition to its original purpose with deeper community engagement.” That statement raises difficult questions: 👉 Why did the Coalition need to be “restored” in the first place? 👉 Has the organization lost focus on directly serving amputees? 👉 What does this leadership change mean for peer support, advocacy, and resources moving forward? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland dives into the resignation news, shares community concerns, and examines whether the Amputee Coalition is truly on track to support the limb loss and limb difference community—or if amputees should be worried about its direction. Listeners are invited to join the conversation as the podcast takes on tough questions about the Coalition’s mission, leadership, and future.
Had a Bad Prosthetic or Prosthetist Experience? Let’s Talk
Podcast host Mike Bolland is looking to connect with individuals willing to share their experiences with prosthetists and prosthetic care. If you’ve ever faced challenges with a prosthetist, received a prosthetic that didn’t meet your needs, or discovered a provider who went above and beyond, your story can make a difference. On his show, We’re Not Stumped, Mike engages in open, honest conversations about life with limb loss, prosthetics, and advocacy. His mission is to give a voice to the limb loss community, spotlight real experiences — both the good and the bad — and work toward improving the system for everyone. Mike invites you to be part of this important dialogue, knowing that your insights could help others navigate their own prosthetic journeys with greater confidence and support. 📩 Interested in being a guest? Visit: https://werenotstumped.com/were-not-stumped-limb-loss-podcast-guest-guide/
Def Leppard Concert: Jeanette Jones on Accessibility Fails
Jeanette Jones returns to the We’re Not Stumped podcast with host Mike Bolland for a powerful conversation that goes beyond music. She shares a shocking and emotional story about the accessibility barriers she and her partner Frank encountered at a Def Leppard concert at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. From steep hills to discriminatory treatment by staff, their experience sheds light on how accessibility still falls short—even in 2025. But that’s just the beginning. Jeanette also opens up about her own journey—surviving childhood cancer, transitioning from prosthetics to a wheelchair, and the incredible resilience of her partner Frank after his life-changing accident. This episode is about more than one bad night—it’s a call to action for accessibility, empathy, and real change.
Latonyia Billops: Faith, Advocacy & Life as a Bilateral Above-Knee Amputee
In this uplifting episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Latonyia Billops, a bilateral above-knee amputee, who shares her remarkable story of surviving a traumatic car accident that changed her life forever. While helping a stranded motorist, Latonyia was struck by a truck that crossed the highway median—resulting in the loss of both her legs. Despite unimaginable trauma, Latonyia never lost her faith. She opens up about how her spiritual foundation guided her recovery, her refusal to fall into depression, and how she’s used her experience to advocate for others navigating prosthetic care and life with limb loss. Latonyia also shares insights into the adaptive equipment she uses to maintain independence—such as a sliding board, bath bench, and commode topper—and how these tools have helped her live with greater comfort and dignity. Plus, she reveals her dream of entering a wheelchair pageant, showcasing her confidence and self-love.
About Lower Limb Amputees
“Lower limb amputees” are individuals who have undergone the surgical removal or have congenital absence of one or more of their lower limbs, typically the legs and feet. Lower limb amputations can occur for various reasons, including trauma, vascular diseases (such as diabetes-related complications), congenital conditions, infections, or other medical issues.
The level of lower limb amputation can vary, and terminology is used to describe the specific location of the amputation:
- Transfemoral (Above-Knee Amputation): This type of amputation occurs above the knee joint, resulting in the loss of the entire lower leg and foot.
- Transtibial (Below-Knee Amputation): In a transtibial amputation, the amputation takes place below the knee joint, preserving the thigh but removing the lower leg and foot.
- Syme’s Amputation: Syme’s amputation involves the removal of the foot at the ankle joint while preserving the heel pad. This type of amputation is relatively rare but can offer certain advantages for prosthetic fitting.
- Partial Foot Amputation: Some individuals may experience partial foot amputations, where only a portion of the foot is removed.
Lower limb amputees often require prosthetic limbs or devices to regain mobility and functionality. Prosthetic solutions for lower limb amputees are designed to compensate for the lost limb and help individuals walk, stand, and engage in various activities. These prosthetic devices can range from basic prostheses for walking to more advanced, computer-assisted prosthetic limbs that enable a higher level of mobility and adaptability.
Rehabilitation and support from healthcare professionals, including prosthetists and physical therapists, are essential components of the recovery process for lower limb amputees. They work closely with patients to ensure proper prosthetic fitting, provide training on prosthetic use, and help individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life.