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

  • Ryan Wilson of Team Trust Productions

June 17th, 2025|

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland chats with Ryan Wilson—founder of Team Trust Productions—for a conversation about how adaptive athletes are using the power of media to change the narrative around disability. Ryan shares his journey from discovering adaptive sports at the University of Illinois to launching a creative agency that centers disabled voices through authentic storytelling and inclusive marketing. He opens up about the challenges of building a business as a wheelchair user, the impact of his Disability Marketing Guide, and why empathy and representation are key to reshaping public perception. You’ll hear how Team Trust Productions is growing, how Ryan balances entrepreneurship with health, and why he believes adaptive athletes should be recognized not for their struggles, but for their strength, skill, and spirit.

  • Adam Sivia Mission Gait

June 12th, 2025|

In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland shares two powerful stories of resilience, recovery, and the human spirit: 🏅 A Double Amputee’s Olympic Journey After surviving a devastating accident, this athlete didn’t give up—he set his sights on the Paralympic Games. Learn how he turned trauma into purpose, using adaptive training and relentless determination to pursue a spot on Team USA. 🦿 Mission Gait: Advancing Gait Rehabilitation Worldwide Meet the people behind Mission Gait, a nonprofit transforming the way physical therapists treat patients with complex walking challenges. From educational programs to international outreach, Mission Gait is creating a global movement for mobility. 🎧 Whether you're part of the limb loss community or just need a boost of hope, this episode shows what's possible when we move forward with purpose.

  • From Tragedy to Triumph: Eric Ford’s Journey Through Amputation and Recovery After a Drunk Driving

June 10th, 2025|

In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Eric Ford to talk about the car accident that changed the course of his life. In 2009, while driving through Atlanta with his children, Eric was struck by a drunk driver. Though his children escaped with only minor injuries, Eric was left with life-threatening damage to his leg. Over the next two months, Eric endured 12–13 surgeries, including skin and muscle grafts, in an attempt to save the leg. When the wound continued to reopen and the pain became unbearable, he made the courageous decision to undergo an amputation. Eric shares the emotional and physical challenges of that decision, and how it ultimately gave him a new lease on life.

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