Latonyia Billops: Faith, Advocacy & Life as a Bilateral Above-Knee Amputee

In this uplifting episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Latonyia Billops, a bilateral above-knee amputee, who shares her remarkable story of surviving a traumatic car accident that changed her life forever. While helping a stranded motorist, Latonyia was struck by a truck that crossed the highway median—resulting in the loss of both her legs.

Despite unimaginable trauma, Latonyia never lost her faith. She opens up about how her spiritual foundation guided her recovery, her refusal to fall into depression, and how she’s used her experience to advocate for others navigating prosthetic care and life with limb loss.

Latonyia also shares insights into the adaptive equipment she uses to maintain independence—such as a sliding board, bath bench, and commode topper—and how these tools have helped her live with greater comfort and dignity. Plus, she reveals her dream of entering a wheelchair pageant, showcasing her confidence and self-love.

This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, joy and purpose are still possible.

Topics Covered:

  • The accident that changed Latonyia’s life
  • Surviving bilateral above-knee amputation
  • Faith and mental resilience after trauma
  • Challenges in prosthetic care and advocacy
  • Adaptive tools that support daily living
  • Confidence, fashion, and wheelchair pageants
  • Why self-advocacy is key to independence

Tune in, be inspired, and discover how Latonyia Billops is not just surviving—but thriving.

More about our host: Mike Bolland Inspirational Speaker

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Spotify

  • Lindsay Hicks

February 24th, 2026|

In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike sits down with Lindsay Hicks to share her courageous decision to choose amputation at age 22 — and the emotional and physical challenges that followed. Lindsay opens up about navigating identity after limb loss, the support of her parents, and the mindset that helped her move forward. She shares how setting a goal to walk unassisted by Christmas gave her focus during recovery and how resilience continues to shape her life today. The conversation also explores her prosthetic journey, serious medical complications including liver failure and infection, and the determination that helped her regain mobility after two years on crutches.

  • Dr. Glenn Gaston

February 17th, 2026|

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

February 10th, 2026|

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.

By |July 22nd, 2025|Limb Loss From Accidents, Lower Limb Amputees|Comments Off on Latonyia Billops: Faith, Advocacy & Life as a Bilateral Above-Knee Amputee

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Go to Top