What does it mean to truly be heard when you can’t speak? Jessica Frew, a nonverbal actress, model, and passionate disability advocate, joins We’re Not Stumped to share her powerful story of living with cerebral palsy and using an eye gaze device to communicate—a technology she began using at just nine years old.
While Jess initially limited the device to school and close friends, she opens up about the emotional weight of using it publicly and the deeply personal regret of not speaking to her father through it before he passed away.
Over time, Jess found strength in her voice and now uses it to educate, advocate, and challenge misconceptions about nonverbal individuals. She speaks with host Mike Bolland about the common experience of being talked down to or ignored—and how she responds with patience, courage, and relentless advocacy.
Jess also talks about modeling with Runway of Dreams, pushing for more disability representation in fashion and entertainment, and fighting for real change in policy—from disability education in schools to raising income limits for Medicare. She introduces her book The Disabled, or the Nonverbal Princess and teases exciting upcoming projects, including a love story and a TV pilot about an inter-abled couple.
This is a story of voice beyond words, and of a woman determined to make sure others like her are seen, heard, and respected.
#DisabilityAdvocate #CerebralPalsyAwareness #NonverbalVoices #InclusionMatters #AdaptiveTechnology #RepresentationMatters #RunwayOfDreams #DisabilityRights #AuthenticRepresentation #WereNotStumped
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Over the years, I've been asked a lot of questions—some serious, some funny, and some I've heard more times than I can count. In this solo episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast, I'm answering five of the questions I get asked a lot. Do I wear a prosthesis? How do I bowl with one hand? Have I always had a positive attitude? Do people still stare? And what keeps me motivated? I'll share some stories from growing up with a limb difference, becoming the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour, overcoming cancer, and why I've learned that attitude isn't something you're born with—it's something you choose every day.
In this episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast, Mike Bolland welcomes Lynn Jensen, author of Best Kept Secrets for Travelers With Sight Loss, to share her remarkable journey from sudden blindness to living an independent, adventurous life filled with travel, purpose, and humor. Lynn discusses the challenges she faced after losing her vision, from relearning everyday tasks to navigating the world with guide dogs. She shares practical travel tips for people with sight loss, explains common misconceptions about blindness, and discusses how independence looks different for everyone.
Over the past few days, I was fortunate to be featured by ABC15 and Arizona's Family as I prepare for my return to PBA competition after more than 30 years away from the sport. The television stories were fantastic, but as anyone who has ever done an interview knows, there's always more that doesn't make the final cut. In this special solo episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I share some of the stories, organizations, and experiences that didn't make it into the TV segments, including: • The mission behind the We're Not Stumped podcast • Joe & Marie Bolland's Helping Hands and supporting people with limb loss and limb differences • Enable Review and helping people make informed prosthetic care decisions • Why this comeback is about much more than bowling
