What happens when people underestimate your potential your entire life—and you refuse to let them define your future?
In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, I sit down with Denny Burke, a licensed master social worker, disability advocate, and speaker who has spent his life proving that disability does not determine what someone can achieve.
Growing up legally blind and facing additional disabilities, Denny endured bullying, low expectations, and barriers that could have shaped the rest of his life. Instead, with the encouragement of mentors and his own determination, he became the first person in his immediate family to graduate from college and is now dedicated to helping others find their voice through self-advocacy and social work.
In this episode, we discuss:
👁️ Growing up legally blind and overcoming childhood adversity
🎓 Becoming the first in his family to graduate from college
💙 Why self-advocacy is one of the most important life skills
🧒 His passion for helping children and families through social work
♿ Challenging misconceptions about people with disabilities
💼 Creating more inclusive workplaces and communities
✈️ Accessible travel and advocating for disabled travelers
❤️ Family, mentoring, volunteering, and giving back
Denny’s story is a powerful reminder that disability is one part of who someone is—not a limit on what they can accomplish. Whether you’re living with a disability, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for an inspiring conversation about resilience and inclusion, this episode is for you.
🎙️ Subscribe to We’re Not Stumped for more conversations highlighting resilience, advocacy, adaptive living, and the people making a difference in the disability community.
#DisabilityAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #DisabilityInclusion #SocialWork #LegalBlindness #AdaptiveLiving #Accessibility #Inclusion #WereNotStumped #DisabilityPodcast
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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.
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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
