In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Belma Islamovic, a double above-elbow amputee, community advocate, and proud member of the Dallas Amputee Network. Mike and Belma first met at Empower Fest in Arizona, and today she shares her remarkable story of survival, resilience, and hope.
Belma recounts:
• Surviving a devastating explosion during the Bosnian War
• Her long medical journey from Bosnia to Italy and ultimately to the United States
• Adapting to life without prosthetics and mastering daily tasks using her feet
• The emotional and mental health struggles she overcame through support and therapy
• Her connection with the Dallas Amputee Network and the power of community
Belma’s story is a powerful reminder of human strength, compassion, and the importance of support networks for amputees and trauma survivors.
👉 Connect with Belma for support or speaking opportunities
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Adaptive athlete and motivational speaker Robert Rodriguez, also known as Robert Anthony, joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped for a conversation about growing up with limb difference, finding confidence through sports, and supporting others through limb loss. Born with fibular hemimelia, Robert shares the physical and social challenges he faced as a child, including bullying and barriers in sports. He reflects on his family’s support and his path into amputee soccer, paratriathlon, and beach volleyball. Mike and Robert also challenge the assumption that experiencing limb loss early in life means someone automatically has it easier—or has less to offer a person navigating a recent amputation.
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.
