In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland covers three impactful stories from the community, each highlighting different aspects of support, accountability, and innovation.
First, we explore a fundraiser organized to assist a young amputee and their family, providing crucial financial support to manage medical expenses. Mike urges others who may know more about this story to reach out so he can share additional information.
Next, Mike discusses a tragic incident at Grace Hospital, where an amputation error resulted in the removal of the wrong leg, sparking an investigation. This heartbreaking event highlights the need for strict medical oversight and patient safety measures.
Lastly, Mike highlights the work of AbleGamers, a nonprofit organization making gaming accessible for people with disabilities. By creating adaptive gaming technology, #AbleGamers opens up a world of connection, creativity, and independence for people with physical limitations. For #amputees and those in other communities, this innovation fosters social inclusion and empowerment through play.
Together, these stories underscore the resilience within the #amputee community and the allies supporting them—from grassroots efforts to medical advocacy and inclusive tech solutions. Join us for this episode celebrating community, compassion, and empowerment.
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Is your website really accessible to everyone? In this powerful episode of *We’re Not Stumped*, host Mike Bolland welcomes web accessibility expert Maigen Thomas to perform a live audit of the podcast’s website—and the results are eye-opening! Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about empathy, inclusion, and making sure your digital experience works for everyone. Maigen shares her personal connection to accessibility, including how her grandfather’s vision loss shaped her perspective on designing with intention. Whether you're a business owner, content creator, or web designer, this episode is packed with practical tips and free tools to level up your site.
Here’s the actual quote from a company called the LN4 Hand Project: "A prosthetic hand is an invaluable asset to an individual without an upper limb. An upper limb prosthesis can determine whether or not an individual is able to be employed, contribute to household duties, or provide an increased sense of independence." As a successful one-handed person—a podcaster, speaker, nonprofit founder, and former pro bowler—I have to say, that sentence overlooks the truth: people with limb differences are capable with or without a device. And it’s not just the language. Companies like Taska Prosthetics create videos that show one-handed people doing things like washing apples, as if that’s the pinnacle of independence. While I love and appreciate prosthetics, we can do better. In this podcast, I break down the problem with this kind of messaging, share my lived experience, and challenge the assumption that a prosthesis defines your ability to succeed.
Host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion. She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mission as an entrepreneur and advocate. Brittany’s training programs help people overcome awkwardness around disability and build more inclusive, empathetic spaces in both personal and professional settings.