Rachel Grow: Overcoming Symbrachydactyly and Success in Hollywood

In the first episode of season two of the We’re not Stumped podcast, I welcome television producer Rachel Grow. Rachel was born in Wiesbaden, Germany with a congenital condition called symbrachydactyly. Symbrachydactyly is a rare congenital hand condition in which a child is born with abnormally short fingers that may be webbed, misshaped or missing. It is often confused with other hand conditions but differs in that the underlying structure of the hand is affected — not just the fingers. The hand may not function well, and the bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves of the hand are also often affected.

Even with her start in life, Rachel has continued to move forward with nothing but a positive attitude. She has worked in Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera, most notably as a producer on such shows as America’s Got Talent, American Idol and Shipping Wars. In this episode Rachel talks about her prosthetic designed by Arm Dynamics and created by Point Design, a great story on how she learned to tie her shoes…and much more!

To learn even more about Rachel, you can follow her on social:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@BionicRachel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionic_rachel/

Her appearance on The Tex Factor: https://youtu.be/S2IBDkjZdJA?t=640

Prosthetic Links:

Arm Dynamics: https://www.armdynamics.com/

Point Design: https://www.pointdesignsllc.com/

#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Spotify

  • partial hand prosthetic design

June 24th, 2025|

What happens when childhood curiosity, global service, and cutting-edge tech come together? You get a conversation like this one. In the latest episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Chris Baschuk—Director of Clinical Services at Point Designs, board member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, and a passionate ambassador for the POP initiative (Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics). Chris is not just shaping the future of upper limb prosthetics—he’s building it, one 3D-printed component at a time. From tinkering with tools in his youth to being inspired by mission work in Brazil, Chris’s journey into biomedical engineering and prosthetics is as meaningful as it is innovative. In this wide-ranging interview, he and Mike dive deep into the latest advances in prosthetic care—particularly for partial hand amputees—and how additive manufacturing is unlocking new levels of function, customization, and durability.

  • The Triple A’s for Amputees: Mike Bolland’s Approach to Healing and Growth

June 19th, 2025|

In this powerful episode, We’re Not Stumped host Mike Bolland introduces his personal “Triple A” philosophy—Alone, Advocacy, and Attitude—designed to support fellow amputees on their physical and emotional journey. Mike, who was born without a right hand and is a cancer survivor, explains how feeling alone is often the first stage after limb loss—but it doesn't have to be the final one. Through advocacy, both for yourself and others, and a resilient attitude, amputees can reclaim purpose, confidence, and joy. Whether you're newly navigating life after limb loss or supporting someone who is, Mike’s Triple A approach offers insight, comfort, and strength.

  • Ryan Wilson of Team Trust Productions

June 17th, 2025|

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland chats with Ryan Wilson—founder of Team Trust Productions—for a conversation about how adaptive athletes are using the power of media to change the narrative around disability. Ryan shares his journey from discovering adaptive sports at the University of Illinois to launching a creative agency that centers disabled voices through authentic storytelling and inclusive marketing. He opens up about the challenges of building a business as a wheelchair user, the impact of his Disability Marketing Guide, and why empathy and representation are key to reshaping public perception. You’ll hear how Team Trust Productions is growing, how Ryan balances entrepreneurship with health, and why he believes adaptive athletes should be recognized not for their struggles, but for their strength, skill, and spirit.

By |2025-04-09T21:07:09-07:00February 22nd, 2023|Limb Difference Stories, Podcast, Upper Limb Amputees|0 Comments

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