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/
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on Rumble
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Is your website really accessible to everyone? In this powerful episode of *We’re Not Stumped*, host Mike Bolland welcomes web accessibility expert Maigen Thomas to perform a live audit of the podcast’s website—and the results are eye-opening! Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about empathy, inclusion, and making sure your digital experience works for everyone. Maigen shares her personal connection to accessibility, including how her grandfather’s vision loss shaped her perspective on designing with intention. Whether you're a business owner, content creator, or web designer, this episode is packed with practical tips and free tools to level up your site.
Here’s the actual quote from a company called the LN4 Hand Project: "A prosthetic hand is an invaluable asset to an individual without an upper limb. An upper limb prosthesis can determine whether or not an individual is able to be employed, contribute to household duties, or provide an increased sense of independence." As a successful one-handed person—a podcaster, speaker, nonprofit founder, and former pro bowler—I have to say, that sentence overlooks the truth: people with limb differences are capable with or without a device. And it’s not just the language. Companies like Taska Prosthetics create videos that show one-handed people doing things like washing apples, as if that’s the pinnacle of independence. While I love and appreciate prosthetics, we can do better. In this podcast, I break down the problem with this kind of messaging, share my lived experience, and challenge the assumption that a prosthesis defines your ability to succeed.
Host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion. She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mission as an entrepreneur and advocate. Brittany’s training programs help people overcome awkwardness around disability and build more inclusive, empathetic spaces in both personal and professional settings.
Leave A Comment