In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, I have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Eric Gabriel, a bi-lateral above-knee amputee for the second time. Born and raised in Levittown, Long Island, NY, one of the first pre-planned housing developments in the United States, Eric enjoyed a childhood filled with school and baseball. Later in life, he discovered a passion for softball and played competitively for 18 years, starting in his late teens. Despite the enjoyment, his aggressive playing style, which often included sliding headfirst into bases while wearing shorts, led to significant knee injuries. The constant abrasions and internal damage resulted in numerous surgeries over the years.
Eventually, Eric faced a difficult decision: endure the severe pain and immobility from his surgeries or have his right leg amputated. He chose the latter and underwent the procedure in 2009. A few years later, in 2018, he had his left leg amputated, becoming a bi-lateral above-knee amputee. Although these years were among the most challenging, they also brought profound transformation.
Eric found new purpose and meaning through adaptive rowing. Despite his amputations, he discovered he could row using a machine called an ERG, which led him into competitive rowing. He competed three times in the World Indoor Rowing Adaptive Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, earning a silver medal in his first championship. Recently, he placed first in the category for 60-year and older lower leg amputee males. In 2012, Eric was invited to try out for the United States Paralympic Rowing Team. Although he didn’t secure a spot on the team, he remains deeply grateful for the experience and the inspiration and motivation from his fellow athletes.
Links
Eric Gabriel Website: https://gabrieleric42.wixsite.com/website
GCU Graduation: https://youtu.be/QeZU8J3u2O0
GCU Feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXRaKUdYJrI
Duke University Spotlight: https://www.contrastcreative.com/portfolio/all-staff-event/?prev_page=9
ABC11 TV Feature: https://abc11.com/double-amputee-rowing-eric-gabriel-gofundme/6380274/
CW22 Web Feature: https://raleighcw.com/news/22-now/eric-gabriels-amputee-journey
Eric Gabriel on Amplitude Magazine: https://livingwithamplitude.com/tag/eric-gabriel/
#bilateralamputee #adaptiveathlete #amputee #limbloss
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
What does it really take to produce a podcast? In this special solo episode of We're Not Stumped, I'm taking you behind the scenes to share how the podcast started, what happens before and after every interview, and the lessons I've learned from producing more than 200 episodes. I'll talk about: Why I decided to start the podcast My recording setup and workflow Editing What I'd do differently if I were starting today Advice for anyone thinking about launching their own podcast Whether you're interested in podcasting, storytelling, or simply curious about what goes into creating We're Not Stumped, I hope this episode gives you a new perspective—and maybe the confidence to start your own show.
In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, host Mike Bolland sits down with Janne Kouri, entrepreneur, founder of NextStep, and co-founder of Lencaro Finnish Long Drink. Janne shares the incredible story of how a spinal cord injury from a swimming accident in 2006 changed the course of his life. After spending two months in the ICU battling paralysis, pneumonia, and a 104-degree fever, he traveled more than 2,000 miles to receive groundbreaking activity-based rehabilitation that wasn't covered by insurance—but changed everything. That experience inspired him to create NextStep, a nonprofit rehabilitation center that helps people living with paralysis access advanced therapy long after traditional insurance benefits end.
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.
Leave A Comment