In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting, for a powerful conversation on disability advocacy, system navigation, and adaptive sports.
Joslynn shares her personal journey into advocacy, the launch of her consulting business, and her five guiding principles for creating inclusive services: dignity of risk, individual readiness, assess and address, authentic experience, and realistic opportunities. She also highlights her colleague Alexia Michitti’s adaptive clothing brand, Embrace 1-3-RACE, designed for individuals with limb differences and neurological conditions.
The discussion dives into:
- Why “say how” means finding solutions when systems say “no”
- The role of dignity of risk in fostering independence and inclusion
- The origins and growth of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA)
- The challenges of advancing inclusion in adaptive sports
- The unique opportunities upcoming global sporting events offer for disability awareness
This episode is a must-listen for families, advocates, and anyone passionate about building authentic opportunities for people with disabilities.
Say How Consulting: https://sayhowconsulting.com
United Adaptive Soccer Association: https://unitedadaptivesoccer.com/
#DisabilityAdvocacy #AdaptiveSports #DignityOfRisk #Inclusion
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In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Abraham, a certified Speech-Language Pathologist whose life took an unexpected turn when she became the patient. After a sudden illness left her paralyzed and unable to speak, Vanessa faced the daunting task of reclaiming her voice and identity. Vanessa shares her harrowing experience of battling Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), the emotional toll of being unable to communicate, and her path to recovery. Her story is not just one of survival but of transformation, leading her to become an advocate for ICU survivors and author of the memoir Speechless: How a Speech Therapist Lost Her Ability to Speak and Her Silent Struggle to Reclaim Her Voice and Life.
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, we spotlight adaptive athlete Tracy LaMarche as she takes on the Ride to End ALZ South Carolina—a three-day cycling journey across the state with deep personal meaning. After losing her leg, Tracy found freedom and strength through cycling. Now, she rides to honor her late mother-in-law, who battled dementia, and to support vital Alzheimer’s research. Riding alongside her husband Blair, Tracy embodies resilience and hope, pedaling toward a future where no family has to face this disease alone.
In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Kelvin Crosby , a remarkable individual whose journey from hearing loss and blindness to becoming an inventor, artist, and advocate will leave you inspired. Diagnosed with hearing loss as a child, Kelvin later lost his vision due to Usher Syndrome Type 2. He opens up about the emotional toll this took on him, including thoughts of suicide, and the turning point when he chose to embrace his deafblindness instead of letting it define him. Kelvin shares how this decision sparked a new purpose in life—one rooted in helping others. His invention, the See Me Cane, is a game-changer for people with visual impairments. Designed to enhance safety and awareness, the cane features a light that gives users control over their environment while maintaining their ability to hear. Kelvin explains how this tool has not only improved his own life but also empowered others with confidence and mobility.
