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 of We’re Not Stumped, Neomi Flores joins host Mike Bolland for an in-person conversation about traveling and EmpowerFest. Neomi is missing her left leg below the knee and brings her own perspective to the conversation. Neomi and Mike discuss experiences on the road and the connections made through events like EmpowerFest. Recorded together in person, this episode explores the value of meeting people and sharing experiences within the disability community. Have you attended EmpowerFest? What’s your favorite travel experience? We’d love to hear from you.
Everyone has a story worth sharing—and at the 2027 Amputee Coalition National Conference, those stories will take center stage. It’s an honor for We're Not Stumped host Mike Bolland to serve as host and help create a welcoming space for the community’s voices. “Story Slam: Where Every Story Finds Its Light” brings the community together for an evening of laughter, connection, and five-minute stories. Twenty storytellers will be selected at random to share a moment from their lives. There’s no competition, no judging, and no expectation that a story must be inspirational or about limb loss or limb difference. In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland introduces the event and shares what attendees can look forward to.
Dr. Carmen Elliott, the new President and CEO of the Amputee Coalition, joins Mike Bolland for a conversation about community, advocacy, and helping people with limb loss and limb difference find the support they need. Carmen shares how her family’s experiences with healthcare access and limb loss shaped her commitment to this work. Together, they explore the value of peer support, access to prosthetics, and including families and caregivers in the conversation. They also discuss support groups, certified peer visitors, AC Connect, and the upcoming “Fireside Connections” conference.
