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
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In this episode of the We're Not Stumped Podcast, Mike Bolland welcomes Lynn Jensen, author of Best Kept Secrets for Travelers With Sight Loss, to share her remarkable journey from sudden blindness to living an independent, adventurous life filled with travel, purpose, and humor. Lynn discusses the challenges she faced after losing her vision, from relearning everyday tasks to navigating the world with guide dogs. She shares practical travel tips for people with sight loss, explains common misconceptions about blindness, and discusses how independence looks different for everyone.
Over the past few days, I was fortunate to be featured by ABC15 and Arizona's Family as I prepare for my return to PBA competition after more than 30 years away from the sport. The television stories were fantastic, but as anyone who has ever done an interview knows, there's always more that doesn't make the final cut. In this special solo episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I share some of the stories, organizations, and experiences that didn't make it into the TV segments, including: • The mission behind the We're Not Stumped podcast • Joe & Marie Bolland's Helping Hands and supporting people with limb loss and limb differences • Enable Review and helping people make informed prosthetic care decisions • Why this comeback is about much more than bowling
Rachel Kubicki, Executive Director of the Hanger Foundation, joins Mike Bolland to discuss the organization's mission of empowering people with physical challenges to live life as fully as possible. With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Rachel shares how the Foundation has expanded its impact through scholarships, nonprofit grants, community events, and innovative fundraising efforts. She discusses Move to Inspire, EmpowerFest, and the upcoming Night to Inspire event in Nashville, all designed to create opportunities, build connections, and inspire achievement within the limb loss and limb difference community. Rachel also shares powerful stories of individuals who have overcome obstacles, reached unexpected milestones, and discovered the life-changing value of community support.
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