Carter Viss was raised in Denver, Colorado, where his childhood was filled with adventures catching fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects near his home. With several saltwater aquariums to his name, his affinity for aquatic life was unmistakable, a destiny perhaps hinted at by his surname, which translates to “fish” in Dutch. Pursuing his passion, he obtained a Marine Biology degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, a place he quickly grew fond of, particularly relishing explorations of the picturesque nearshore reefs along the coastline.
However, tragedy struck on Thanksgiving Day in 2019. While snorkeling at Breaker’s Reef, his beloved spot, he was struck by a large boat. The impact resulted in the amputation of his right arm above the elbow, severe lacerations to both legs, and a badly broken left wrist. Following a complete recovery, he has dedicated himself to aiding those affected by similar accidents and advocating for improved boating and diving safety measures to avert future tragedies. Driven by his enduring love for nature and the outdoors, Carter is committed to enhancing the safety of our oceans for both humans and marine life.
Links:
Carter Viss Foundation – https://cartervissfoundation.org
#boatsafety #limbloss #adaptiveathlete #limbdifference #amputee
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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Neomi Flores, who became an amputee at age 43 after a blood clot changed her life forever. Neomi shares her powerful journey, including: The frightening symptoms that led to her amputation Facing fear and uncertainty before surgery A year in a wheelchair and the challenges of recovery Learning to walk again with prosthetics Drawing strength from her faith, her children, and small victories The meaning behind her tattoo: “Don’t just exist, live” Her story is one of resilience, gratitude, and determination—a reminder that even in life’s toughest moments, it’s possible to find purpose and live fully.
Mike Bolland highlights two powerful topics of resilience, and community. Topic 1 – A Call for Coaches ArizonAbility is launching a basketball clinic for adults with disabilities, and they’re looking for a passionate coach to lead the way. This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about confidence, teamwork, and creating a space where every player can thrive. Mike explains what this opportunity means for the community and how one coach can make a life-changing impact. Topic 2 – Inspiration from Legapalooza Mike also shares the inspiring story of Legapalooza (https://legapalooza.com/), founded by Tommy Donahue after a life-changing accident. What started as a small charity event has grown into a movement of resilience, connection, and giving back. Tommy’s journey reminds us that when we come together, we can turn challenges into opportunities for hope and empowerment.
Host Mike Bolland sits down with Alexia Michitti—a public speaker, athlete, and entrepreneur born without a right hand. Together, they reflect on their shared experiences of limb difference and Alexia’s powerful journey of resilience, determination, and innovation. Alexia shares how she’s breaking barriers in sports and beyond—from representing the U.S. in the first Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup, to filing a patent for adaptive clothing through her brand Em13race (https://em13race.com/), to finding her voice as a motivational speaker. She opens up about life without a prosthetic, her role models, and her passion for inspiring children with limb differences to embrace their uniqueness.
