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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What happens when life changes in an instant—and you have to decide whether it defines you… or whether you redefine it? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Travis Sanders — master barber, entrepreneur, author, peer mentor, and above-knee amputee whose story is rooted in resilience, mindset, and purpose. After blood clots led to multiple surgeries and ultimately limb loss, Travis was forced to confront a completely different future. But instead of allowing that moment to define him, he made a powerful decision: He would redefine it. Just days after leaving the hospital, Travis returned to cutting hair — a moment that perfectly captures the determination and mindset that now fuels his mission to help others.
What does it mean to tell a story about limb loss… when you haven’t lived it yourself? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland—born without a right hand—sits down with author Jim Roberts to explore the decision to create a one-arm protagonist in his novel And Your Bird Can Sing. This conversation goes beyond writing. It’s about representation, authenticity, and what it truly means to feel seen. Jim shares how limb loss in his story became a powerful metaphor for grief, guilt, and forgiveness, set within a Southern Gothic coming-of-age journey through 1960s and 70s East Texas.
What happens when your life changes overnight—and you have to rebuild from the ground up? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Melinda Preciado, a former ER professional turned disability advocate, about her life-changing journey after becoming an above-knee amputee in 2021 following a rare and devastating medical complication. Melinda shares the realities of life after amputation, challenges with prosthetics and accessibility, misconceptions about disability benefits, and why advocacy matters. She also opens up about social support, finding community through Miss Wheelchair, and using her story to inspire others. An honest conversation about resilience, identity, and discovering strength beyond limits.
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