In this powerful episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland welcomes Susan Fumagalli Mahoney, a true inspiration and advocate for amputees around the world. Susan opens up about her personal journey through limb loss and her experience with osseointegration—a groundbreaking technology that has changed her life and could reshape the future of prosthetics for countless individuals. Susan shares her story, from the physical and emotional challenges of losing a limb to the hope and transformation that osseointegration has brought to her life.
As someone who’s experienced the unique struggles and triumphs of the limb-loss community, Susan offers a candid perspective on overcoming adversity, adapting to new advancements, and living life with confidence and independence. Osseointegration has not only given her improved mobility but also empowered her to pursue her dreams and inspire others facing similar challenges.
Join us for this heartfelt conversation as Susan and Mike discuss the impact of medical innovations like osseointegration, the power of resilience, and the importance of advocating for accessible and effective solutions for amputees. From overcoming challenges to pushing for improved care, this episode highlights the inspiring journey of thriving beyond limb loss. Whether you’re in the limb-loss community, know someone who is, or simply want to be inspired, Susan’s story is a reminder of what’s possible with courage, innovation, and support in transforming lives.
Topics Covered:
Susan’s limb-loss journey and challenges
Understanding osseointegration and its benefits for amputees
The importance of resilience and advocacy in the disability community
How medical advancements can change lives
Tune in to learn more about how Susan and others in the amputee community are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and why stories like hers matter in the movement for greater accessibility, inclusion, and technological advancement.
Link: https://integrum.se/
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How do you move forward when vision loss changes your career, independence, and plans for the future? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland speaks with Jennifer Frederick about living with permanent vision loss and learning to advocate for herself along the way. Jennifer explains how changes in her vision eventually forced her to leave a career in crisis management. She also discusses the challenges she now faces while looking for work, including interview practices that have left her questioning whether she is being treated fairly as a person with a disability. The conversation explores Jenn’s decision not to undergo surgery for her detached retinas, the importance of seeking medical attention when your vision changes, and the need to take ownership of your healthcare.
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After losing control on an icy road in Calgary, Reid Robinson crashed into a tree and suffered devastating injuries to his lower leg. What followed were two and a half years of recovery, 13 surgeries, broken surgical hardware, bone infections, and a difficult decision between amputation and trying once more to save his leg. While recovering, Reid realized that none of the available mobility devices gave him the freedom he needed. So, despite having no welding experience, he taught himself by watching online videos and built his first leg brace from aluminum, crutches, and an IKEA cutting board. That garage-built prototype eventually became the X-Leg, a hands-free knee crutch designed to help people with lower-leg injuries stay active and independent during recovery.
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