Breaking Barriers: Stories of Amputees Achieving the Impossible

🎙️ We’re Not Stumped – Breaking Barriers: Inspiring Stories of Amputees Achieving the Impossible

Join congenital right hand amputee host Mike Bolland in this episode of “We’re Not Stumped,” where we dive into three incredible stories of amputees who have defied the odds and achieved remarkable feats. 🌟

In this episode, we explore:

1. The First Female Double Amputee to Earn a Colorado CDL: Discover the groundbreaking journey of the first woman to earn a Colorado Class A Commercial Driver’s License as a double amputee. Her story is a powerful testament to determination and resilience. https://www.koaa.com/colorado-culture/the-first-female-double-amputee-to-earn-a-colorado-class-a-commercial-drivers-license

2. 12-Year-Old’s Journey After 30 Surgeries: Discover the heartwarming tale of a 12-year-old boy welcomed home by his community after enduring over 30 surgeries and the amputation of his leg. https://www.khq.com/news/12-year-old-welcomed-home-by-community-following-over-30-surgeries-and-getting-his-leg/article_fbafe9c8-6802-11ef-a383-7be58327217a.html

3. Ride to Unite: A Race Champion’s New Journey: Learn about the transformation of a former race champion who, after becoming an amputee, found a new calling that continues to inspire others. https://www.firstalert4.com/2024/09/01/ride-unite-new-calling-former-race-champion-turned-amputee/

These stories are a powerful reminder that, with determination and support, we can overcome any obstacle. Whether you’re interested in stories of perseverance, community support, or redefining success, this episode is filled with inspiration and hope.

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of “We’re Not Stumped” featuring incredible stories of resilience!

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  • Fixing Website Accessibility with Maigen Thomas

August 5th, 2025|

Is your website really accessible to everyone? In this powerful episode of *We’re Not Stumped*, host Mike Bolland welcomes web accessibility expert Maigen Thomas to perform a live audit of the podcast’s website—and the results are eye-opening!  Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about empathy, inclusion, and making sure your digital experience works for everyone. Maigen shares her personal connection to accessibility, including how her grandfather’s vision loss shaped her perspective on designing with intention. Whether you're a business owner, content creator, or web designer, this episode is packed with practical tips and free tools to level up your site. 

  • challenge the assumption that a prosthesis defines your ability to succeed. 

July 31st, 2025|

 Here’s the actual quote from a company called the LN4 Hand Project:  "A prosthetic hand is an invaluable asset to an individual without an upper limb. An upper limb prosthesis can determine whether or not an individual is able to be employed, contribute to household duties, or provide an increased sense of independence."  As a successful one-handed person—a podcaster, speaker, nonprofit founder, and former pro bowler—I have to say, that sentence overlooks the truth: people with limb differences are capable with or without a device.  And it’s not just the language. Companies like Taska Prosthetics create videos that show one-handed people doing things like washing apples, as if that’s the pinnacle of independence.  While I love and appreciate prosthetics, we can do better. In this podcast, I break down the problem with this kind of messaging, share my lived experience, and challenge the assumption that a prosthesis defines your ability to succeed. 

  • Brittany Dejean Inclusion Jumpstart

July 29th, 2025|

Host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion. She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mission as an entrepreneur and advocate. Brittany’s training programs help people overcome awkwardness around disability and build more inclusive, empathetic spaces in both personal and professional settings.

By |2024-09-05T08:34:34-07:00September 5th, 2024|General Disability Related Resources and News|0 Comments

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