From AMC to the Paralympics: Lera Doederlein’s Double AKA Journey

Lera Doederlein joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share a powerful story of choosing possibility.

Born with AMC (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita), Lera grew up in Phoenix using braces and forearm crutches while navigating school, friendships, and the quiet realization that sports might look different for her. As a teenager, she made the bold decision to pursue double above-knee amputations in order to gain independence and improve long-term mobility—and it transformed her life.

Lera walks us through the realities of recovery and physical therapy, learning to use prosthetics, and the moment a clinician pushed her beyond her comfort zone—encouraging her to run just a week after she started walking. She also shares why community matters so much, from Camp No Limits to Hanger events and amputee boot camps that helped her build confidence and momentum.

Then the conversation shifts to sports: how a chance introduction at a clinic led her to fall in love with sled hockey, earning a grant for her first custom sled, joining the U.S. Women’s National Sled Team in 2019, and ultimately competing in the 2022 Beijing Paralympics in Nordic skiing.

If you’re early in your limb-difference or limb-loss journey—or you just need a reminder to try the thing that scares you—this episode will leave you inspired.

Learn more about Camp No Limits: https://www.nolimitsfoundation.org/