Legapalooza’s journey turns challenges into hope, resilience, and community impact—founded by Tommy Donahue after a life-changing accident.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland highlights two powerful topics of resilience, and community.
Topic 1 – A Call for Coaches ArizonAbility is launching a basketball clinic for adults with disabilities, and they’re looking for a passionate coach to lead the way. This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about confidence, teamwork, and creating a space where every player can thrive. Mike explains what this opportunity means for the community and how one coach can make a life-changing impact.
Topic 2 – Inspiration from Legapalooza Mike also shares the inspiring story of Legapalooza (https://legapalooza.com/), founded by Tommy Donahue after a life-changing accident. What started as a small charity event has grown into a movement of resilience, connection, and giving back. Tommy’s journey reminds us that when we come together, we can turn challenges into opportunities for hope and empowerment.
👉 Tune in for a mix of motivation, storytelling, and a call to action. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or advocate for inclusion, this episode will leave you inspired to step up and make a difference.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
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.
What’s the difference between being born with a limb difference and losing a limb later in life? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland (born without a right hand) breaks down the emotional, physical, and social differences between congenital limb loss and adult amputation—two very different starting points that often lead to the same powerful resilience. Mike shares personal experiences, insights from recent guest interviews like Stevia Walker (who became an amputee in 2023), and stories from others who’ve learned to adapt and thrive no matter how their journey began. Whether you’ve lived with a limb difference your whole life, recently became an amputee, or support someone who has—this episode is for you.
What does it mean to truly be heard when you can’t speak? Jessica Frew, a nonverbal actress, model, and passionate disability advocate, joins We’re Not Stumped to share her powerful story of living with cerebral palsy and using an eye gaze device to communicate—a technology she began using at just nine years old. While Jess initially limited the device to school and close friends, she opens up about the emotional weight of using it publicly and the deeply personal regret of not speaking to her father through it before he passed away. Over time, Jess found strength in her voice and now uses it to educate, advocate, and challenge misconceptions about nonverbal individuals. She speaks with host Mike Bolland about the common experience of being talked down to or ignored—and how she responds with patience, courage, and relentless advocacy.
