What are you actually allowed to ask someone with a service dog? Do service dogs need paperwork? And what happens when businesses get the rules wrong?
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland talks with upper-limb amputee Stevia Walker about service animals, disability, prosthetics, self-advocacy, and life after limb loss.
Stevia shares an encounter at a hotel where employees demanded documentation for her service dog and incorrectly assumed the dog was an emotional support animal. She discusses what people and businesses should understand about service animals and why these interactions matter.
Stevia also shares the remarkable journey that brought her into the limb loss community. After developing severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) following a 2021 car accident and subsequent surgeries, she ultimately chose to have her hand amputated in December 2023.
She talks about fighting to be heard by doctors, adapting after amputation, trying different prosthetic technologies, and participating in a clinical trial at UT Southwestern. Stevia also explains why there is no single prosthetic solution that works for every amputee—and how learning to advocate for herself has shaped her journey.
Organizations discussed:
Hands of Gratitude
Dallas Amputee Network
🎙️ We’re Not Stumped shares conversations about limb loss, limb difference, disability, advocacy, adaptive living, and the people who refuse to let circumstances define what’s possible.
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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland reviews EmpowerFest 2025, celebrating the limb loss and limb difference community with inspiring speakers, adaptive activities, and unforgettable moments. Mike also shares a story about a comedian who made a tasteless joke about the limb loss community — and how he got the comedian to remove the post. Tune in for insights, laughs, and a look at what makes the limb loss community so resilient and inspiring!
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting, for a powerful conversation on disability advocacy, system navigation, and the importance of dignity of risk. Joslynn shares her personal journey into advocacy, the launch of her consulting business, and her five guiding principles for creating inclusive services: dignity of risk, individual readiness, assess and address, authentic experience, and realistic opportunities. The discussion dives into: ✅ Why “say how” means finding solutions when systems say “no” ✅ The role of dignity of risk in fostering independence and inclusion ✅ The origins and growth of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA) ✅ The challenges of advancing inclusion in adaptive sports ✅ The unique opportunities upcoming global sporting events offer for disability awareness
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Shawn Johnson, founder and executive director of Enhancing Skills for Life, and Mike St. Onge, board chairman and quadruple amputee, to explore the organization’s inspiring mission and impact. Shawn, an occupational therapist with nearly three decades of prosthetic and rehabilitation experience, shares how Enhancing Skills for Life grew from its first workshop in 2002 into a global community serving people living without both arms or all four limbs. Mike reflects on his personal journey as a quadruple amputee, highlighting the strength of peer support and empowerment in rebuilding independence. Discover how this nonprofit is transforming lives through: ✅ Workshops and skill-building events ✅ Adaptive equipment resources like the “Hands-Free Catalog” ✅ Scholarships, mentorship, and international participation ✅ Exciting future collaborations and upcoming workshops Whether you’re part of the limb loss community or simply inspired by stories of resilience and hope, this conversation is packed with insight and heart.
