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.

What do you do when life is going perfectly—until it’s not? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Kijuan Amey—a U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and traumatic brain injury survivor whose life changed in an instant. At just 25, Kijuan was thriving: one year from earning his degree, running his own business (Kiwi Enterprise LLC), and proudly serving his country. Then, a sudden motorcycle accident nearly took it all away. But instead of asking, “Why me?”, Kijuan chose a different question: “What now?” Through faith, grit, and a desire to help others, he turned unimaginable trauma into purpose—and a message of hope.

In this episode, host Mike Bolland shares the inspiring story of Carter Henning, a high school freshman from Calamus-Wheatland in Iowa who returned to lead his varsity golf team just two months after losing his leg in a snowmobile accident. Carter’s determination and passion for the game showcase what’s possible with resilience and heart. Mike also highlights the Dallas Amputee Network (DAN), a nonprofit offering vital support and peer mentorship to amputees and their families across North Texas. Founded by Ellen Winchell in 2002, DAN empowers individuals through monthly meetings, the Certified Peer Visitor program, and a strong community of encouragement.

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 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.