In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland highlights three incredible stories of innovation, resilience, and community:
🔹 Saving Frostbitten Feet: Explore a groundbreaking new device designed to rewarm frostbitten feet and reduce the risk of amputations, offering hope for those affected by severe cold injuries.
🔹 An Amputee’s Inspiring Horseback Journey: Meet the remarkable amputee riding horseback across America, stopping in East Texas to share his message of perseverance and hope.
🔹 Helping Hands Group: Discover the impactful work of this organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy, resources, and education.
✨ These stories showcase the power of human determination and the innovations changing lives.
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more uplifting stories from the disability and adaptive living community.
Links:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-device-rewarm-frostbitten-feet-amputations.html
https://helpinghandsgroup.org/
#DisabilitySupport #FrostbiteTreatment #AmputeeJourney #Inspiration #Podcast
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What if surgery and virtual reality could dramatically reduce phantom limb pain? On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Glenn Gaston, orthopedic hand and upper-extremity surgeon, to explore groundbreaking innovations in amputee care — including the Starfish Procedure and a virtual reality treatment for phantom limb pain. Dr. Gaston shares how a life-changing patient experience led him to build a dedicated amputee clinic and push beyond century-old methods of care He also shares his journey into amputee care, the inspiration behind his innovations, and why collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, therapists, and mental health professionals is shaping the future of limb loss recovery.
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.
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike talks with John Cooper, a physical therapist assistant with 18 years of experience, about his journey into physical therapy and his passion for working with lower-limb amputees. John shares how his grandfather’s recovery from brain surgery sparked his career, and how close collaboration with prosthetists helps him address the real-world challenges amputees face every day. He explains why patience matters in rehab, why quality beats quantity in therapy sessions, and how setbacks can become powerful turning points.
