Melinda Preciado: From ER Professional to Disability Advocate After Limb Loss

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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September 6th, 2022|

In the first episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I'm very honored to have Nicole Kelly as a guest. Like me, Nicole is an congenital amputee of an upper extremity. Nicole was Miss Iowa 2013 and competed in [...]

September 4th, 2022|

By Mike Bolland|April 28th, 2026|Limb Loss Due To Medical Condition, Lower Limb Amputees|Comments Off

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What happens when you step back into something you once loved… years later? In this special episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland shares the story behind his bowling comeback — from becoming the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour to stepping back onto the lanes with a renewed sense of purpose. But this story is about more than bowling. It’s about rediscovering confidence, overcoming fear, finding purpose again, and proving that it’s never too late to chase something meaningful. Whether you’re facing adversity, starting over, or trying to reconnect with something you once loved, this episode is a reminder that your story is still being written.

Before the movie Kingpin ever hit theaters, I was already bowling professionally with one hand as the first amputee to compete on the PBA Tour.

Now decades later, at 61 years old, I’m making a comeback. This video is a fun look at the similarities between my story and the iconic movie — except this one’s real.

From bowling with one hand… to stepping back onto the lanes for the PBA60 World Championship… this comeback is about proving it’s never too late to chase something meaningful again.

And yes… I’m still trying to avoid the gutter balls and my hook flying off!.

Copyright 2026 We’re not Stumped, One Hand Man Productions and Mike Bolland