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
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
In this remarkable episode of "We're Not Stumped," host Mike Bolland sits down with Chris and Kim Casteel, the visionary owners of Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics. Chris, an amputee himself, lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident, turning his personal tragedy into a mission to help others.
In this episode: Lively Limbs Amputee Support Group in Mesa Celebrates 22 Years, Against All Odds: Baker County's Jay Wilson Thrives as Double Amputee Firefighter and Business Owner and Dream Home in 10 Days: Ground Broken on a Home for Quadruple Amputee. Tune in to "We're Not Stumped" for inspiring stories of triumph, support, and innovation in the limb difference community. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now!
In this episode of "We're Not Stumped," host Mike Bolland sits down with the members of The Resilient, a band composed of talented musicians who have turned their personal challenges into powerful music. The Resilient is an American rock band primarily composed of severely wounded U.S. combat veterans, whose focus is writing and performing music that reflects the inspirations and hardships they've experienced in both their civilian lives and military careers.



