Welcome back to the “We’re Not Stumped” podcast! Host Mike Bolland introduces an exceptionally inspiring guest, Jonathan Cowley. Jonathan’s story is a profound example of resilience and determination in the face of formidable challenges.
Jonathan’s journey began in early 2013 when he discovered a small lump on his right hand. With a young child at home, bumps and scrapes were commonplace, so initially, neither Jonathan nor his doctor thought it was a cause for concern. However, a few months later, while on a family cruise, the lump became a significant issue. What started as minor discomfort evolved into severe pain, and the lump turned discolored, clearly signaling something was wrong.
Following this alarming development, Jonathan went through numerous doctor visits and medical tests. The results were unexpected and devastating: Jonathan was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, with only about 20 cases reported annually in the United States. This diagnosis led to a series of surgeries, but despite the efforts, the only feasible option was to amputate his right hand above the wrist, just five months after returning from the cruise.
Undeterred by this life-changing event, Jonathan immersed himself in rehabilitation and was soon fitted with a prosthetic hand. Unfortunately, the prosthetic was uncomfortable and did not fit well. Jonathan faced the difficult choice of whether to persevere with the prosthetic or adapt to life without it.
Today, Jonathan joins the podcast to share more about his journey, the challenges he overcame, and how he transformed his story into one of triumph. The conversation will explore his experiences with prosthetics, his recovery, and how he navigates life post-amputation.
Jonathan, welcome to the show!
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
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.
Leave A Comment