In 2013, just months after becoming a new mother, Armeda Batchler faced the life-changing decision to amputate her left leg above the knee due to osteosarcoma. While she pushed forward with strength—balancing recovery, parenting, and work—she silently battled depression, isolation, and the weight of not wanting to ask for help.
Over time, Armeda discovered the power of connection, rebuilding a local amputee support group and stepping into advocacy to guide others through similar challenges. In this powerful conversation, she shares:
-
Her cancer and amputation journey
-
The struggles of parenting while adapting to limb loss
-
How depression nearly consumed her, and what helped her heal
-
Why advocacy and support became her purpose
A story of resilience, honesty, and hope.
Podcast Production and Editing: One Hand Man Productions.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
A must listen! In this dynamic episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Jessica Cox, a pioneering pilot, martial artist, and motivational speaker born without arms. Jessica shares her journey of overcoming challenges, embracing independence, and inspiring others worldwide. She reflects on her childhood, the support of her parents, and her decision to forgo prosthetics in favor of using her feet. She recounts her fight to regain her driver’s license after unfair scrutiny, a moment that reinforced her resilience. Jessica also discusses earning her black belt in Taekwondo and becoming the world’s first armless pilot—turning fear into empowerment. Through her nonprofit, Right Footed Foundation International, Jessica mentors children without arms, encouraging them to chase their dreams. Looking ahead, she aims to build her own plane for greater independence. This episode is a testament to determination, self-belief, and living without limits. Don’t miss this powerful conversation!
Post-amputation pain can be debilitating, but a new treatment called hydrodissection is showing promise in providing relief. In this episode of We're Not Stumped, we explore this groundbreaking therapy and its potential to improve the lives of amputees. Hydrodissection is a relatively new and promising treatment for post-amputation pain, particularly for neuroma-related pain and phantom limb pain. Here’s how it compares to other common pain treatments for amputees. Mike Bolland also shines a spotlight on Infinite Dance Flow, an inclusive dance company that is redefining what it means to move, featuring dancers of all abilities.
In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland welcomes Allison Sweet Grant, author of I Am The Cage, a powerful novel inspired by her own medical experiences. Allison shares her journey of undergoing the Lizarov limb-lengthening procedure as a teenager and how those experiences shaped her writing. Like her protagonist Elisabeth, Allison grappled with feelings of isolation, a lack of agency, and the struggle to be heard in a confusing healthcare system. She opens up about translating her personal trauma into fiction, creating a character who faces her own battles with bodily autonomy and self-forgiveness.
