Lower Limb Amputee Podcast
Don’t Just Exist, Live | Neomi Flores’ Powerful Amputee Journey
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Neomi Flores, who became an amputee at age 43 after a blood clot changed her life forever. Neomi shares her powerful journey, including: The frightening symptoms that led to her amputation Facing fear and uncertainty before surgery A year in a wheelchair and the challenges of recovery Learning to walk again with prosthetics Drawing strength from her faith, her children, and small victories The meaning behind her tattoo: “Don’t just exist, live” Her story is one of resilience, gratitude, and determination—a reminder that even in life’s toughest moments, it’s possible to find purpose and live fully.
Resilience After Amputation | Armeda Batchler’s Journey from Cancer to Advocacy
In 2013, Armeda Batchler made the life-altering decision to amputate her left leg above the knee after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma—just months after becoming a new mother. Determined to push forward, she balanced recovery, parenting, and work with remarkable strength. Yet behind the resilience, Armeda faced hidden struggles: depression, isolation, and the difficulty of asking for help. Over time, she discovered the healing power of connection, rebuilding a local amputee support group and embracing advocacy to support others walking a similar path. In this heartfelt conversation, Armeda opens up about her cancer journey, the challenges of raising her daughter while adapting to limb loss, and how hope and community helped her transform struggle into purpose.
Def Leppard Concert: Jeanette Jones on Accessibility Fails
Jeanette Jones returns to the We’re Not Stumped podcast with host Mike Bolland for a powerful conversation that goes beyond music. She shares a shocking and emotional story about the accessibility barriers she and her partner Frank encountered at a Def Leppard concert at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. From steep hills to discriminatory treatment by staff, their experience sheds light on how accessibility still falls short—even in 2025. But that’s just the beginning. Jeanette also opens up about her own journey—surviving childhood cancer, transitioning from prosthetics to a wheelchair, and the incredible resilience of her partner Frank after his life-changing accident. This episode is about more than one bad night—it’s a call to action for accessibility, empathy, and real change.
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.
From Tragedy to Triumph: Gini Thomas’s Journey with Osseointegration and Empowerment
In this moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, Gini Thomas shares her incredible story of resilience after a tragic motorcycle accident took her husband’s life and left her facing devastating injuries. After three years of limb salvage attempts, Gini made the courageous decision to undergo an above-knee amputation in 2015. She opens up about her life-changing transition from traditional socket prosthetics to the Integrum OPRA Implant System using Osseointegration, a bone-anchored prosthetic that has allowed her to walk unassisted and reclaim her independence. Gini discusses the challenges of phantom pain, the power of advocacy, and how she uses social media to inspire and empower fellow amputees.
Pedaling with Purpose: Tracy LaMarche’s Ride to End Alzheimer’s and Embrace Life as an Adaptive Athlete
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, we spotlight adaptive athlete Tracy LaMarche as she takes on the Ride to End ALZ South Carolina—a three-day cycling journey across the state with deep personal meaning. After losing her leg, Tracy found freedom and strength through cycling. Now, she rides to honor her late mother-in-law, who battled dementia, and to support vital Alzheimer’s research. Riding alongside her husband Blair, Tracy embodies resilience and hope, pedaling toward a future where no family has to face this disease alone.
About Lower Limb Amputees
“Lower limb amputees” are individuals who have undergone the surgical removal or have congenital absence of one or more of their lower limbs, typically the legs and feet. Lower limb amputations can occur for various reasons, including trauma, vascular diseases (such as diabetes-related complications), congenital conditions, infections, or other medical issues.
The level of lower limb amputation can vary, and terminology is used to describe the specific location of the amputation:
- Transfemoral (Above-Knee Amputation): This type of amputation occurs above the knee joint, resulting in the loss of the entire lower leg and foot.
- Transtibial (Below-Knee Amputation): In a transtibial amputation, the amputation takes place below the knee joint, preserving the thigh but removing the lower leg and foot.
- Syme’s Amputation: Syme’s amputation involves the removal of the foot at the ankle joint while preserving the heel pad. This type of amputation is relatively rare but can offer certain advantages for prosthetic fitting.
- Partial Foot Amputation: Some individuals may experience partial foot amputations, where only a portion of the foot is removed.
Lower limb amputees often require prosthetic limbs or devices to regain mobility and functionality. Prosthetic solutions for lower limb amputees are designed to compensate for the lost limb and help individuals walk, stand, and engage in various activities. These prosthetic devices can range from basic prostheses for walking to more advanced, computer-assisted prosthetic limbs that enable a higher level of mobility and adaptability.
Rehabilitation and support from healthcare professionals, including prosthetists and physical therapists, are essential components of the recovery process for lower limb amputees. They work closely with patients to ensure proper prosthetic fitting, provide training on prosthetic use, and help individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life.