Writing, Faith, and Limitless Creativity: Brooke Brown’s Return to WNS

Welcome back to We’re Not Stumped! Today, I’m honored to sit down once again with Brooke Brown — an “ink weaver of life, faith, and fiction,” an honors graduate of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2022, and founder of Brooke’s Butterfly Touch, a ministry that helps individuals discover the power and purpose of their own stories.

Brooke is also the author of Rolling in Grace: Volume 1 — A Foundation of Faith and Imagination, now available in audio format. Having read it myself, I can promise you: it’s full of relatable, uplifting, and beautifully practical stories.

Living with cerebral palsy and using an augmentative communication app, Brooke demonstrates that every voice — every single one — can inspire hope, healing, and opportunity. This is her second appearance on the show, so after watching, don’t forget to visit WereNotStumped.com to catch her first episode.

🎙️ In This Episode, We Dive Into:

✨ Parental leadership & early expectations
How her parents’ unwavering belief shaped her life after doctors warned otherwise.

✨ Imagining life without limitations
What she believes would be different if her cerebral palsy were removed from her story.

✨ The spark of creative writing
How a fourth-grade assignment from Mrs. Jones transformed her future.

✨ Fiction as a safe space
Why teenage Brooke explored disability through characters instead of personal narrative.

✨ A surprising reunion at ASU
The moment her former third-grade teacher saw her again — now as a university student.

✨ Guidance for parents of children with disabilities
Including an impactful story from her fifth-grade year.

✨ A Sweet 16 with purpose
A purple van, independence, and the trust that helped her grow.

✨ Faith, foundation, and Scottsdale Christian Academy
How her school shaped who she is today.

✨ A memorable ASL class experience
And the lesson that came with it.

✨ Meeting “Dr. Fun” at the Cronkite School
The professor who encouraged, challenged, and empowered her.

✨ Winning the Walter Cronkite Outstanding Undergraduate Award
And giving a speech she’ll never forget.

✨ Inclusive theater at Ability360
Her meaningful involvement and the impact of accessible creative spaces.

✨ What’s next?
With her audiobook released and Volume 2 on the way, Brooke shares what else she’s excited for in the future.

If you’re looking for a conversation filled with faith, creativity, resilience, and purpose — this episode is for you.


👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and visit WereNotStumped.com for more inspiring stories.

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  • Brooke Brown’s Butterfly Touch

July 1st, 2025|

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Brooke Brown—a passionate advocate, spiritual wellness guide, and founder of Brooke’s Butterfly Touch. Brooke, who lives with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, shares how her journey led her to discover Reiki, energy healing, and the power of self-connection. As an Ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona and host of the Rolling in Grace podcast, Brooke empowers others to live with purpose, embrace their uniqueness, and become their own biggest advocates. She shares her message of accessibility, inclusion, and disability visibility, along with the importance of assuming competence in every interaction.

  • feeling alone after limb loss

June 26th, 2025|

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland introduces the first part of his personal “Triple A’s” philosophy: Alone, Advocacy, and Attitude. Today’s focus is on that first word—Alone—a stage that many people experience after limb loss but rarely talk about openly. Mike, a congenital amputee and cancer survivor, shares what it means to feel alone physically, emotionally, and socially after amputation—and why that feeling doesn’t have to last forever. He explores practical, real-world solutions that help amputees take their first steps toward healing, including: The power of peer support and community How therapy and mental health resources can help Adaptive sports and creative outlets to rediscover purpose Navigating prosthetics, rehab, and daily independence Rebuilding identity and reclaiming confidence Whether you’re newly navigating limb loss or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that you’re never truly alone. Hope, connection, and healing are all within reach.

  • partial hand prosthetic design

June 24th, 2025|

What happens when childhood curiosity, global service, and cutting-edge tech come together? You get a conversation like this one. In the latest episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Chris Baschuk—Director of Clinical Services at Point Designs, board member of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, and a passionate ambassador for the POP initiative (Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics). Chris is not just shaping the future of upper limb prosthetics—he’s building it, one 3D-printed component at a time. From tinkering with tools in his youth to being inspired by mission work in Brazil, Chris’s journey into biomedical engineering and prosthetics is as meaningful as it is innovative. In this wide-ranging interview, he and Mike dive deep into the latest advances in prosthetic care—particularly for partial hand amputees—and how additive manufacturing is unlocking new levels of function, customization, and durability.

By |November 25th, 2025|General Disability Related Resources and News|Comments Off on Writing, Faith, and Limitless Creativity: Brooke Brown’s Return to WNS

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