Golf should be accessible to everyone, and VertaCat is making that a reality with the VertaCat Golf Cart! In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Steve Doudt to discuss how this revolutionary adaptive golf cart is changing the game for individuals with mobility challenges.
Steve, a bilateral above-the-knee amputee due to a motorcycle accident in 1992, has an inspiring journey of resilience and determination. After serving in the USAF 1721st Combat Control Squadron, Special Operations Team, he transitioned into adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, even competing in the 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games. In recent years, Steve has embraced golf, achieving significant success in adaptive tournaments. The VertaCat has been instrumental in his golfing journey, allowing him to stand and swing freely, enhancing his performance on the course.
Beyond golf, Steve has dedicated over 18 years as a full-time official in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, traveling nationwide to inspire and mentor others. Join us as we delve into Steve’s multifaceted career, the impact of the VertaCat on adaptive sports, and his unwavering commitment to inclusivity and innovation. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about inclusion, innovation, and the future of golf! ⛳♿ #AdaptiveGolf #VertaCat #inclusivesports
Links
VertaCat: https://vertacat.com/
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Does being born with a limb difference—or experiencing amputation as a child—mean you have it easier? In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland challenges an assumption that can leave people feeling dismissed within their own community. Born without a right hand, Mike shares why physical adaptation tells only part of the story. Through his podcast and community work, he’s met people whose experiences include bullying, employment barriers, relationship challenges, and depression. While these experiences don’t all reflect his own journey, they deserve acknowledgment. Acquiring a disability later in life brings its own challenges, including grief and adjustment. Recognizing those experiences doesn’t require minimizing the challenges of congenital limb difference or childhood limb loss. This episode invites us to listen more closely, question what we assume about others, and support one another without ranking whose journey is harder.
How can voiceover and adaptive sports create opportunities for people with disabilities? Phoenix-based voiceover artist Tony Jackson joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share his experiences behind the microphone and on the power soccer court. Tony serves as the Grant Coordinator and Power Soccer Coordinator at Ability360. We explore his path into voice acting, accessibility in casting, and how adaptive sports build teamwork, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Ten years after cancer surgery, Mike Bolland found himself on the field at an Arizona Cardinals game, representing all cancers during the NFL’s Crucial Catch recognition. In this personal episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike reflects on the journey from surgery and radiation to pursuing two goals: performing stand-up comedy and bowling on tour one more time. Those decisions helped lead to motivational speaking, a return to competition on the PBA60 Tour, and his message, “Take the Shot Anyway.” Mike also honors the podcast guests who have shared their own cancer journeys, including those who experienced limb loss, and the people whose support helped him through treatment and recovery.
