In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland shares two stories of courage and perseverance. The episode highlights a shark attack survivor who turned to crowdfunding after being denied insurance coverage for a prosthetic hand. This journey showcases the challenges of insurance in the area of prosthetics.
The episode also explores the incredible work of Operation Enduring Warrior, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering wounded veterans and first responders. Through adaptive adventures, community initiatives, and mentorship, Enduring Warrior inspires individuals to push past their physical and mental limitations.
This episode is a testament to the human spirit and the importance of advocacy and support.
📌 Subscribe for more stories of overcoming adversity: https://werenotstumped.com/contact-amputee-podcast/
💬 Leave a comment to share your thoughts and support!
🔗 Learn more:
Shark Attack Story: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/shark-attack-survivor-crowdfunds-for-prosthetic-hand-after-insurance-company-refused-to-pay-7458753
Enduring Warrior: https://www.enduringwarrior.org
#SharkAttackSurvivor #EnduringWarrior #Prosthetics #Inspiration #Podcast
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
What happens when disability advocates from across the country come together to shape the future of independent living and accessibility? In this solo episode of We're Not Stumped, I share my personal reflections after attending the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., where I represented Ability360 as a member of its Board of Directors. From celebrating ADA36: We Won't Go Back to hearing powerful stories from advocates, policymakers, and leaders in the disability community, the conference reinforced why protecting and advancing disability rights remains so important.
In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Karen Morales, a wheelchair user and leader of Fora Travel's Accessibility Initiative, to discuss how the travel industry can become more inclusive for everyone. After becoming a wheelchair user in 2020, Karen quickly discovered that planning an accessible trip often meant endless phone calls, unanswered questions, and uncertainty about whether hotels, transportation, and attractions would truly meet her needs. Rather than accepting those challenges, she helped create an initiative that's training hundreds of travel advisors to better serve travelers with disabilities and other accessibility needs.
What if success isn't measured by where you finish—but by having the courage to start? After more than 35 years away from professional bowling, I returned to compete in the PBA60 World Series of Bowling at age 61. I knew the odds weren't in my favor. My body had changed. The equipment had changed. The competition had changed. But this episode isn't really about bowling. It's about the voice inside all of us that says we're too old, too late, or not good enough to chase something that matters. In this solo episode of We're Not Stumped, I share the emotions behind my comeback, the challenges I faced on the lanes, and the unexpected lesson that came from finishing far below where I had hoped. That lesson became a phrase I can't stop thinking about: Take the Shot Anyway. Because you don't need the perfect hand. You just need the courage to use the one you've been dealt.
