J.J. Orsak was living a great life as he was married to his high school sweetheart, had a long time career as an electrician and celebrating a brand-new grandbaby in December 2018. But all of that changed in an instant on December 22. While doing a task he had done countless times, Mr. Orsak’s life changed. A jolt of electricity raced through his body and took both of his hands.
In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, recorded almost five years to the day of his accident, J.J. and his wife Sharon talk about his journey to again live a great life. His journey wasn’t without challenges, the first being life saving measures. But through it all and with his wife, family and friends by his side, J.J. is prospering again.
Links: J.J. on Tex Factor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2IBDkjZdJA
Arm Dynamics: https://www.armdynamics.com/
Skills for Life: https://www.enhancingskillsforlife.org/
Texas Assistive Devices: https://n-abler.org/
#amputee #limbloss #inspiration #inspirational #upperlimb #prosthesis #prosthetic
Want to be considered as a guest? Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/contact-amputee-podcast/
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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.
In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland gets real about the challenges of finding a job while living with a disability. Born without his right hand, Mike has firsthand experience navigating interviews, workplace bias, and the self-doubt that can creep in during the job search. He shares tips that helped him—and that can help you—stand out for the right reasons, from understanding your rights under the ADA to deciding when (or if) to disclose your disability. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or unsure where to start, this episode offers encouragement, strategies, and real-world advice from someone who’s walked the walk. 🛠️ Topics include: How to highlight your strengths, not your limitations Disability-friendly job boards and resources Why owning your story is your greatest strength Whether you were born with a disability or acquired one later in life, this episode is for anyone ready to pursue meaningful work and thrive.
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