Episode 15 of Season Two of the We’re Not Stumped podcast features Penta Medical Recycling. My guests from this great organization are founder Henry Iseman, Deputy Director Anna Szczepanek and Director of Operations Mijamin Strong.
The organization was founded in 2016, when a group of university students established Penta Medical Recycling with a dual mission: to make affordable prosthetic care accessible in low- and middle-income countries while repurposing medical waste in the United States.
This initiative stemmed from the recognition that a staggering 85-95% of the world’s 100 million amputees lacked access to proper prosthetic care and equipment. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of still functional but slightly outdated prostheses were being replaced and discarded annually in the United States.
Penta discovered a solution to address both of these pressing issues simultaneously. By collecting and refurbishing used prosthetic and orthotic equipment in the United States, they could declutter private homes, ease the burden on clinics responsible for disposing of unusable devices, and, most importantly, restore the ability to walk, work, and thrive for amputees worldwide.
In 2018, Penta Medical Recycling was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since then, it has evolved into a global operation collaborating with government health agencies, both private and public healthcare institutions, and various nonprofit organizations, both within the United States and internationally. Penta’s operations have expanded to encompass 16 different countries across six regions worldwide.
Links:
Penta Medical Recycling Website: https://pentaprosthetics.org
Penta Medical Recycling Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penta.medical.recycling/
Penta Medical Recycling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penta.medical.recycling/
Penta Medical Recycling LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penta-medical-recycling/
#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #oneleg #amputados #bionic #inspiration
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
What do you do when life is going perfectly—until it’s not? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland talks with Kijuan Amey—a U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and traumatic brain injury survivor whose life changed in an instant. At just 25, Kijuan was thriving: one year from earning his degree, running his own business (Kiwi Enterprise LLC), and proudly serving his country. Then, a sudden motorcycle accident nearly took it all away. But instead of asking, “Why me?”, Kijuan chose a different question: “What now?” Through faith, grit, and a desire to help others, he turned unimaginable trauma into purpose—and a message of hope.
In this episode, host Mike Bolland shares the inspiring story of Carter Henning, a high school freshman from Calamus-Wheatland in Iowa who returned to lead his varsity golf team just two months after losing his leg in a snowmobile accident. Carter’s determination and passion for the game showcase what’s possible with resilience and heart. Mike also highlights the Dallas Amputee Network (DAN), a nonprofit offering vital support and peer mentorship to amputees and their families across North Texas. Founded by Ellen Winchell in 2002, DAN empowers individuals through monthly meetings, the Certified Peer Visitor program, and a strong community of encouragement.
In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Abraham, a certified Speech-Language Pathologist whose life took an unexpected turn when she became the patient. After a sudden illness left her paralyzed and unable to speak, Vanessa faced the daunting task of reclaiming her voice and identity. Vanessa shares her harrowing experience of battling Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), the emotional toll of being unable to communicate, and her path to recovery. Her story is not just one of survival but of transformation, leading her to become an advocate for ICU survivors and author of the memoir Speechless: How a Speech Therapist Lost Her Ability to Speak and Her Silent Struggle to Reclaim Her Voice and Life.
Leave A Comment