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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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.
What do you do when life is going perfectly—until it’s not? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Kijuan Amey—a U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and traumatic brain injury survivor whose life changed in an instant. At just 25, Kijuan was thriving: one year from earning his degree, running his own business (Kiwi Enterprise LLC), and proudly serving his country. Then, a sudden motorcycle accident nearly took it all away. But instead of asking, “Why me?”, Kijuan chose a different question: “What now?” Through faith, grit, and a desire to help others, he turned unimaginable trauma into purpose—and a message of hope.
