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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Join us for an inspiring episode of "We're Not Stumped," hosted by Mike Bolland, as we welcome two incredible guests: Dan Moses, a bilateral below-knee amputee, and Rachael Simukonda, a left below-knee amputee. In this episode, we dive into the importance of peer support and adaptive living for the disabled community. Dan and Rachael share their personal experiences and discuss how these initiatives are making a real difference in the lives of amputees and others with disabilities.
In this episode of “We’re Not Stumped,” we explore three stories that highlight resilience, courage, and safety: Top Books by and about amputees for 2024, the inspiring story of a high school football player who bravely rushed to save his mom in a car accident, leading to the amputation of his leg and a major recall of 70,000 lounge chairs due to safety concerns, including risks that could cause amputations.
