In February 2020, Bruce Mezan faced a near-death encounter due to a DUI driver. While en route to lead a motorcycle safety class at 6:30 a.m., an incapacitated driver in an SUV collided with him at 50 mph as he rode through an intersection in Rancho Santa Fe.
Following the accident, in which he lost his right leg below the knee, Bruce spent most of the next nine months learning to walk again. Recuperating, and doing out-patient physical therapy, slowly transitioning from a bed in his Living Room to a wheelchair then to a walker. Eventually, he began the long process of getting fitted for a prosthetic.
Bruce was determined to document not just his own limb loss experience, but also that of the young man who collided with him. He believed that sharing his story and the profound impact on his life could be even more persuasive in dissuading others from drinking and driving. It’s a stark reminder of the consequences one faces when making the dangerous choice to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
Bruce now engages with high school students, collaborates with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and collaborates with news outlets to emphasize the preventable nature of tragedies linked to drunk driving.
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Access to the resources, support, and equipment needed after limb loss can change a person's life—but for many, those essentials remain out of reach. In this episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland spotlights Amputee Aid and A Leg Forever, two organizations dedicated to helping people with limb loss reclaim independence, confidence, and hope. While each organization has its own unique mission, both are committed to removing barriers by providing financial assistance, equipment, peer support, and other critical resources that help individuals move forward after amputation. Mike discusses why a supportive community can make all the difference during recovery and beyond. Whether you're living with limb loss, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for stories of compassion, advocacy, and resilience, this episode highlights how generosity and community can create lasting change.
What does it really take to learn to walk again after an amputation? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes physical therapist John Lottes, DPT, Clinical Supervisor at First Step Physical Therapy and an adjunct professor who specializes in prosthetic rehabilitation. John shares how an unexpected career path led him to working with individuals with limb loss and explains why the biggest hurdle in recovery often isn't physical—it's confidence. Together, Mike and John discuss the importance of celebrating small victories, building trust with your rehabilitation team, and developing the mindset needed to regain independence.
Sometimes, the biggest changes don't happen in a lab—they happen with a few carefully chosen words. In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I want to personally thank the LN-4 Hand Project (https://ln4handproject.org/) for updating its mission statement to better reflect the entire upper limb limb loss community. For many years, organizations have understandably focused on a specific group of individuals. But recognizing and including everyone living with upper limb loss and limb difference sends a powerful message: you belong, your story matters, and you are seen. As someone born without a right hand, this change means a great deal to me personally, and I believe it represents an important step toward greater inclusion across our community.
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