Host Mike Bolland welcomes Whitney Lavender — Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026, author, advocate, and host of the Wits Grit podcast — for an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and overcoming unimaginable challenges.
After a devastating fall led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Whitney faced years of severe pain, countless treatments, and ultimately bilateral leg amputations. Rather than allowing adversity to define her, she rebuilt her life and discovered a new purpose through advocacy, storytelling, and empowering others.
In this episode, Mike and Whitney discuss:
• Living with CRPS and chronic pain
• Whitney’s amputation journey and recovery
• Phantom pain and adapting to life with prosthetics
• Overcoming depression and rebuilding confidence
• The importance of support and community
• Adaptive sports and accessibility advocacy
• Whitney’s children’s book and podcast Wits Grit
• Her journey to becoming Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026
Whitney’s story is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges can sometimes reveal strengths we never knew we had.
Whitney’s Website: https://www.whitneylavender.com/
Whit & Wheels: A Journey of Courage: https://www.amazon.com/Whit-Wheels-Journey-Whitney-Lavender/dp/1959955683
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Join us for an inspiring episode of "We're Not Stumped," hosted by Mike Bolland, as we welcome two incredible guests: Dan Moses, a bilateral below-knee amputee, and Rachael Simukonda, a left below-knee amputee. In this episode, we dive into the importance of peer support and adaptive living for the disabled community. Dan and Rachael share their personal experiences and discuss how these initiatives are making a real difference in the lives of amputees and others with disabilities.
In this episode of “We’re Not Stumped,” we explore three stories that highlight resilience, courage, and safety: Top Books by and about amputees for 2024, the inspiring story of a high school football player who bravely rushed to save his mom in a car accident, leading to the amputation of his leg and a major recall of 70,000 lounge chairs due to safety concerns, including risks that could cause amputations.
