In this heartfelt episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Jeanette Jones, a childhood cancer survivor whose journey is nothing short of remarkable. Diagnosed with cancer at a young age, Jeanette faced years of rigorous treatments in an effort to save her left leg. Despite the challenges, she displayed extraordinary courage and resolve throughout this difficult period.
At just 16 years old, Jeanette underwent a hip disarticulation, a rare and complex surgery involving the removal of her entire leg, including the femur, from the pelvis. While many might see such an experience as insurmountable, Jeanette has turned her challenges into triumphs. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, positivity, and the human spirit.
In this episode, Jeanette shares her personal journey of adapting to life after amputation, finding strength in adversity, and embracing her new normal with grace and determination. Her insights offer not just inspiration but also practical wisdom for anyone facing life’s trials.
Tune in for a moving conversation that highlights the triumph of the human spirit and the extraordinary ways people can overcome even the most daunting challenges. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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How do you move forward when vision loss changes your career, independence, and plans for the future? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland speaks with Jennifer Frederick about living with permanent vision loss and learning to advocate for herself along the way. Jennifer explains how changes in her vision eventually forced her to leave a career in crisis management. She also discusses the challenges she now faces while looking for work, including interview practices that have left her questioning whether she is being treated fairly as a person with a disability. The conversation explores Jenn’s decision not to undergo surgery for her detached retinas, the importance of seeking medical attention when your vision changes, and the need to take ownership of your healthcare.
What happens when we stop deciding what someone is capable of—and give them the opportunity to lead? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland speaks with Nathan Kennedy of Upstream Fitness, Chris Kocurek, and Chris’s son, Coach Cameron “Coach Cam” Kocurek. Cameron, who has Down syndrome, began gymnastics as a child and went on to compete through Special Olympics and unified gymnastics. Today, he is using the confidence and skills he developed as an athlete to help coach others at Upstream Fitness. Nathan explains how Upstream Fitness uses movement, games, coaching cards, and step-by-step instruction to make exercise accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Chris shares Cameron’s journey from athlete to assistant PE coach—and now toward meaningful employment and greater independence.
After losing control on an icy road in Calgary, Reid Robinson crashed into a tree and suffered devastating injuries to his lower leg. What followed were two and a half years of recovery, 13 surgeries, broken surgical hardware, bone infections, and a difficult decision between amputation and trying once more to save his leg. While recovering, Reid realized that none of the available mobility devices gave him the freedom he needed. So, despite having no welding experience, he taught himself by watching online videos and built his first leg brace from aluminum, crutches, and an IKEA cutting board. That garage-built prototype eventually became the X-Leg, a hands-free knee crutch designed to help people with lower-leg injuries stay active and independent during recovery.
