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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  • John Lottes, DPT

July 28th, 2026|

What does it really take to learn to walk again after an amputation? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes physical therapist John Lottes, DPT, Clinical Supervisor at First Step Physical Therapy and an adjunct professor who specializes in prosthetic rehabilitation. John shares how an unexpected career path led him to working with individuals with limb loss and explains why the biggest hurdle in recovery often isn't physical—it's confidence. Together, Mike and John discuss the importance of celebrating small victories, building trust with your rehabilitation team, and developing the mindset needed to regain independence.

July 27th, 2026|

Sometimes, the biggest changes don't happen in a lab—they happen with a few carefully chosen words. In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I want to personally thank the LN-4 Hand Project (https://ln4handproject.org/) for updating its mission statement to better reflect the entire upper limb limb loss community. For many years, organizations have understandably focused on a specific group of individuals. But recognizing and including everyone living with upper limb loss and limb difference sends a powerful message: you belong, your story matters, and you are seen. As someone born without a right hand, this change means a great deal to me personally, and I believe it represents an important step toward greater inclusion across our community.

July 23rd, 2026|

What happens when disability advocates from across the country come together to shape the future of independent living and accessibility? In this solo episode of We're Not Stumped, I share my personal reflections after attending the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., where I represented Ability360 as a member of its Board of Directors. From celebrating ADA36: We Won't Go Back to hearing powerful stories from advocates, policymakers, and leaders in the disability community, the conference reinforced why protecting and advancing disability rights remains so important.

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