In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Christopher Rodriguez, CEO of Ability360, to discuss the organization’s powerful role in promoting independence for individuals with disabilities. Learn about the wide range of programs and resources Ability360 offers, from adaptive sports to advocacy, and how they are transforming lives by empowering people to live fully and independently. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about inclusion, accessibility, and the future of disability support.
Website: https://ability360.org/
Ability360 is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. Through its comprehensive programs, Ability360 touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and addresses the disability concerns of their family members, co-workers and employers.
Ability360 began in 1977 as the Arizona Congress for Action (ACA), a group of people with diverse physical disabilities who launched a grassroots effort to educate the community about disability-related issues in Central Arizona. In 1978, Congress enacted Independent Living Center legislation as part of the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In 1981, Ability360 received funding and began services.
With more than 130 staff members and volunteers, more than 1,500 personal care attendants and hundreds of volunteers, Ability360 has offices in Phoenix, Gilbert/Mesa, Glendale, Tucson, along with Coolidge, and provides services throughout Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Gila Counties. Ability360 programs are made possible through grants, fee-for-service contracts, and individual and corporate contributions.
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In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland sits down with Janne Kouri, entrepreneur, founder of NextStep, and co-founder of Lencaro Finnish Long Drink. Janne shares the incredible story of how a spinal cord injury from a swimming accident in 2006 changed the course of his life. After spending two months in the ICU battling paralysis, pneumonia, and a 104-degree fever, he traveled more than 2,000 miles to receive groundbreaking activity-based rehabilitation that wasn't covered by insurance—but changed everything. That experience inspired him to create NextStep, a nonprofit rehabilitation center that helps people living with paralysis access advanced therapy long after traditional insurance benefits end.
Access to the resources, support, and equipment needed after limb loss can change a person's life—but for many, those essentials remain out of reach. In this episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland spotlights Amputee Aid and A Leg Forever, two organizations dedicated to helping people with limb loss reclaim independence, confidence, and hope. While each organization has its own unique mission, both are committed to removing barriers by providing financial assistance, equipment, peer support, and other critical resources that help individuals move forward after amputation. Mike discusses why a supportive community can make all the difference during recovery and beyond. Whether you're living with limb loss, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for stories of compassion, advocacy, and resilience, this episode highlights how generosity and community can create lasting change.
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.
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