In 2017 Kayla Inman slid on ice while leaving her workplace, and this event changed the course of her life. That slide caused her to feel constant pain in her foot, a pain that doctors failed to diagnose until December 2020, when she discovered she was developing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). After numerous consultations with medical experts and many conversations with her family, Kayla came to terms with the fact that the only solution to her pain and inability to walk was amputation.
On Sept. 30, 2021, orthopedic surgeon David Hahn successfully amputated Kayla’s leg below the knee. When she awoke from her anesthesia- induced nap, she quickly shot upright in her hospital bed to look at where her right leg once was. She would need to learn how to walk again with the prosthetic, but she was overcome with joy that, finally, the pain was gone.
Since then, Kayla has moved forward in amazing ways. She has given a TEXx Talk and also founded an amputee support group in Grand Junction, Colorado. We talk about all of this and more in this episode of the We’re not Stumped podcast.
Links:
Kayla Inman TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhOQMW2sMlk
Grand Valley Amputee Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1107576273319053/
Kayla Inman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappyamputee/
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Want to learn more about our host Mike Bolland? See his website https://mikebolland.com/
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In this powerful conclusion to the Triple A’s of Limb Loss series, host Mike Bolland explores the third and perhaps most impactful "A"—Attitude. Born without a right hand, Mike shares how attitude isn't just a mindset—it's a survival tool. With honesty and humor, he dives into how your outlook shapes your journey after amputation, influences your recovery, and determines how you show up for yourself and others. Whether you’re newly navigating limb loss or years into your journey, this episode is a reminder that while we can’t control everything, we can control how we respond.
In this moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, Gini Thomas shares her incredible story of resilience after a tragic motorcycle accident took her husband’s life and left her facing devastating injuries. After three years of limb salvage attempts, Gini made the courageous decision to undergo an above-knee amputation in 2015. She opens up about her life-changing transition from traditional socket prosthetics to the Integrum OPRA Implant System using Osseointegration, a bone-anchored prosthetic that has allowed her to walk unassisted and reclaim her independence. Gini discusses the challenges of phantom pain, the power of advocacy, and how she uses social media to inspire and empower fellow amputees.
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