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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Lera Doederlein joins Mike Bolland on We’re Not Stumped to share a powerful story of choosing possibility. Born with AMC (arthrogryposis multiplex congenita), Lera grew up in Phoenix using braces and forearm crutches while navigating school, friendships, and the quiet realization that sports might look different for her. As a teenager, she made the bold decision to pursue double above-knee amputations in order to gain independence and improve long-term mobility—and it transformed her life. Lera walks us through the realities of recovery and physical therapy, learning to use prosthetics, and the moment a clinician pushed her beyond her comfort zone—encouraging her to run just a week after she started walking. She also shares why community matters so much, from Camp No Limits to Hanger events and amputee boot camps that helped her build confidence and momentum.
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