Since the age of three, Kara Skrubis has practiced ballet. Throughout her youth, she traveled the nation, showcasing her ballet prowess. Alongside her performances, she commenced teaching ballet and started her studies as a dance major at University at Buffalo.
However, her trajectory took an unforeseen twist during her inaugural semester at UB. In October 2019, Skrubis awoke to excruciating pain in her left knee, soon accompanied by a concerning “warm lump.” Despite a visit to a local urgent care facility, the ailment remained undiagnosed. It wasn’t until three months later, under the care of an orthopedic specialist, that a tumor was discovered in her left tibia.
At 18 years old, Skrubis received the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer predominantly affecting teenagers and young adults. While receiving treatment, Skrubis was compelled to take a time off from her studies for a year. Her journey started with chemotherapy in February 2020, followed by the amputation of her left leg in April 2020 to eradicate the cancer. Subsequently, she underwent immunotherapy until June 2021, concluding her treatment regimen with chemotherapy in September 2021.
During her stay in the hospital, Skrubis says her mother, Lisa, 54, found and connected with MIB Agents, a pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit that provides resources, information and support to patients and families.
Skrubis still practices ballet, but she changed her majors from dance and psychology to psychology and health and human sciences so she can work with other youth diagnosed with cancer.
Links:
MIB Agents: https://www.mibagents.org
People Magazine Article: https://people.com/health/kara-skrubis-talks-continuing-ballet-following-bone-cancer-leg-amputation-i-never-gave-up/
#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amputeegirl #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #amputeefitness #prosthetic #motivation #prosthesis #adaptive #oneleg #amputados #amputeewoman #inspiration #osteosarcoma #cancer #sarcoma #bonecancer #cancersucks #childhoodcancer #cancersurvivor #osteosarcomaawareness #childhoodcancerawareness #cancerawareness #cancerfighter #pediatriccancer #bonetumor
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Today, I’m honored to sit down once again with Brooke Brown — an “ink weaver of life, faith, and fiction,” an honors graduate of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2022, and founder of Brooke’s Butterfly Touch, a ministry that helps individuals discover the power and purpose of their own stories. Brooke is also the author of Rolling in Grace: Volume 1 — A Foundation of Faith and Imagination, now available in audio format. Having read it myself, I can promise you: it’s full of relatable, uplifting, and beautifully practical stories. Living with cerebral palsy and using an augmentative communication app, Brooke demonstrates that every voice — every single one — can inspire hope, healing, and opportunity. This is her second appearance on the show, so after watching, don’t forget to visit WereNotStumped.com to catch her first episode.
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Caitlin Conner, founder of Be More Adaptive, to explore how she’s building a global hub for disability resources designed to empower people with disabilities to live fulfilling, confident, and sustainable lives. Caitlin shares her powerful journey — from surviving a life-changing motorcycle accident while pregnant to becoming a Paralympic-level athlete, model, and outspoken disability advocate. She talks candidly about adapting to life as an amputee, the importance of self-advocacy, and how adaptive sports helped her rebuild her identity, purpose, and strength.
When Drew Ann Long, a stay-at-home mom from Birmingham, Alabama, discovered there were no shopping carts designed for her daughter Caroline — who has Rett syndrome and cannot walk or talk — she decided to create one herself. In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Drew Ann to discuss her journey from frustrated mom to inventor of Caroline’s Cart, an adaptive shopping cart now featured in over 15,000 stores across eight countries, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Lowe’s. Drew Ann opens up about overcoming rejection, financial struggles, and even a hacked social media page — all while pursuing her mission to bring dignity and inclusion to families with disabilities.
Leave A Comment