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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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.
Stevia Walker joins host Mike Bolland to share her powerful story of resilience after a life-altering car accident that left her with a fused cervical spine and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in her right hand. After extensive research and consultations, Stevia made the courageous decision to undergo amputation of her hand—with the support of Dr. Stephen Niedermeyer. In this inspiring episode, Stevia reflects on rebuilding her life, from her former career as a hair stylist to her meaningful role today as a Girl Scout leader. She speaks candidly about living with phantom limb pain, her challenges with prosthetics, and how she empowers others by sharing her experiences. As a board member of the Dallas Amputee Network (DAN - https://dallasamputeenetwork.org/), Stevia highlights the nonprofit’s impactful work supporting amputees, caregivers, and families throughout North Texas. Founded in 2002, DAN provides education, peer mentorship, fitness opportunities, and social events like the upcoming Legapalooza fundraiser—all aimed at improving the quality of life for those affected by limb loss.
What does it truly mean to be seen as fully human in a world that often overlooks disability? In this thought-provoking episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes back Dr. Stephanie W. Cawthon—an acclaimed deaf author, speaker, and researcher—for an honest and insightful conversation about identity, accessibility, and belonging. With ASL interpreters Amanda Ford and Steven Nugent joining, Dr. Cawthon shares the personal and cultural impact of her book Disability is Human, a work that has deeply influenced Mike’s own journey.
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