What happens when you survive COVID… but wake up to a completely different life?
In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Brianna Heitzman, a certified employment specialist with Down Syndrome of Louisville, whose life was forever changed after a severe battle with COVID-19.
After being placed on a ventilator and ECMO, Brianna faced an unimaginable outcome—the loss of her legs. But her story doesn’t end there.
This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and rebuilding a life with purpose.
Mike and Brianna dive into:
• Her near-death experience and long road to recovery
• The emotional and physical realities of limb loss
• Learning to adapt and regain independence
• Navigating prosthetics and ongoing challenges
• The ERTL procedure and what it means for recovery
• How her experience shaped her work helping others with employment and benefits
• Her involvement with the Moving Forward Amputee Network
Brianna’s journey is raw, real, and deeply inspiring—a reminder that even after life-changing trauma, there is still a path forward.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more powerful stories from the limb loss and disability community.
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What kind of support truly makes a difference during limb loss or limb preservation? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Laurie Gillman from the Limb Preservation Foundation to explore the programs helping individuals navigate some of life’s toughest moments. Laurie shares how LPF provides financial assistance, emotional support through peer groups, and educational resources designed to help people focus on healing and recovery. They also discuss the upcoming symposium, mental health initiatives, and the importance of community, caregiving, and celebrating small wins along the journey.
What do the new leadership changes at the Amputee Coalition mean for the limb loss community? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland breaks down the latest updates, including the appointment of Dr. Carmen Elliott as President & CEO and the addition of new Board Members: Teri Kuffel Nicole Grehn, MSN, NP Dr. Cassandra Quave With backgrounds in healthcare, policy, research, and lived experience, this new leadership team brings a wide range of perspectives that could shape the future of care, advocacy, and support for people living with limb loss and limb difference.
What is dating really like after limb loss? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Neomi Flores to talk about relationships, confidence, and the realities of dating as an amputee. Neomi shares her deeply personal journey after losing her leg in 2022—including the emotional recovery, navigating self-confidence, and the challenges of putting herself back out there in the dating world.
