We're Not Stumped | Survival Stories, Disability Stories & Recovery Journeys Podcast

Jeanette Jones returns to the We’re Not Stumped podcast with host Mike Bolland for a powerful conversation that goes beyond music. She shares a shocking and emotional story about the accessibility barriers she and her partner Frank encountered at a Def Leppard concert at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. From steep hills to discriminatory treatment by staff, their experience sheds light on how accessibility still falls short—even in 2025.

But that’s just the beginning. Jeanette also opens up about her own journey—surviving childhood cancer, transitioning from prosthetics to a wheelchair, and the incredible resilience of her partner Frank after his life-changing accident.

This episode is about more than one bad night—it’s a call to action for accessibility, empathy, and real change.

👉 Hit play for an honest, eye-opening, and empowering episode you won’t forget.

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

 Is your website really accessible to everyone? In this powerful episode of *We’re Not Stumped*, host Mike Bolland welcomes web accessibility expert Maigen Thomas to perform a live audit of the podcast’s website—and the results are eye-opening! 

What We Cover: 

- Real-time website evaluation: accessibility, usability, and UX - What screen readers miss—and how to fix it 

- How to label forms, fix headers, and improve navigation 

- Common color contrast issues (based on the WebAIM study) 

- The surprising power of skip links & keyboard-friendly design 

- Why even small websites should care about accessibility & compliance Top Fixes Maigen Suggested: 

- Make host images more prominent 

- Adjust text size and placement for readability 

- Improve “Join the List” button accessibility 

- Use alt text, title tags & transcripts for better SEO + inclusion Tools & Resources Mentioned: 

- SilkTide Accessibility Chrome Extension https://silktide.com/ 

- WebAIM Million Study https://webaim.org/projects/million/ 

Maigen’s free evaluations: https://freewebsiteevaluation.com 

Maigen's Website: https://maigenthomas.com/ 

Level 11 Technology: https://www.level11technology.com/ 

Why This Matters: 

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about empathy, inclusion, and making sure your digital experience works for everyone. Maigen shares her personal connection to accessibility, including how her grandfather’s vision loss shaped her perspective on designing with intention. Whether you're a business owner, content creator, or web designer, this episode is packed with practical tips and free tools to level up your site. 

#WebsiteAccessibility #WebAudit #UXDesign #ScreenReaders #DigitalInclusion #MaigenThomas #WeAreNotStumped #MikeBolland #ADACompliance #WebAIM #ColorContrast #AltText #WCAG #InclusiveDesign 

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

 Here’s the actual quote from a company called the LN4 Hand Project: 

"A prosthetic hand is an invaluable asset to an individual without an upper limb." "An upper limb prosthesis can determine whether or not an individual is able to be employed, contribute to household duties, or provide an increased sense of independence." 

As a successful one-handed person—a podcaster, speaker, nonprofit founder, and former pro bowler—I have to say, that sentence overlooks the truth: people with limb differences are capable with or without a device. 

And it’s not just the language. Companies like Taska Prosthetics create videos that show one-handed people doing things like washing apples, as if that’s the pinnacle of independence. 

While I love and appreciate prosthetics, we can do better. In this podcast, I break down the problem with this kind of messaging, share my lived experience, and challenge the assumption that a prosthesis defines your ability to succeed. 

👉 Let’s flip the script—from limitation to liberation. 

🔗 Learn more about my story: https://mikebolland.com 

🎙 Host of We’re Not Stumped 

📣 Drop a comment if you're living proof that one hand is more than enough.

 #LimbDifference #OneHandedSuccess #ProstheticNarratives #DisabilityAwareness #WereNotStumped #LN4HandProject #TaskaProsthetics #InclusionMatters 

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Brittany Dejean, founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and former Airbnb accessibility leader. Brittany opens up about how her father’s spinal cord injury at age 12 inspired her lifelong passion for disability inclusion.

She shares insights from her 6.5 years at Airbnb working on accessibility and diversity initiatives, her nonprofit work with Able Thrive, and her current mission as an entrepreneur and advocate. Brittany’s training programs help people overcome awkwardness around disability and build more inclusive, empathetic spaces in both personal and professional settings.

Join Mike and Brittany for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, disability awareness, and fostering authentic inclusion.

Learn more about Brittany and Inclusion Jumpstart at inclusionjumpstart.com
Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brittany-martin-dejean

#DisabilityInclusion #AccessibilityAdvocate #InclusionJumpstart #WeAreNotStumped #DisabilityAwareness #AirbnbAccessibility #EmpathyTraining #EntrepreneurJourney #BrittanyDejean #InclusionMatters #DisabilityConsulting #PodcastInterview #DisabilityAdvocate

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland gets real about the challenges of finding a job while living with a disability. Born without his right hand, Mike has firsthand experience navigating interviews, workplace bias, and the self-doubt that can creep in during the job search.

He shares tips that helped him—and that can help you—stand out for the right reasons, from understanding your rights under the ADA to deciding when (or if) to disclose your disability. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or unsure where to start, this episode offers encouragement, strategies, and real-world advice from someone who’s walked the walk.

🛠️ Topics include:

• How to highlight your strengths, not your limitations
• Disability-friendly job boards and resources
• Why owning your story is your greatest strength

Whether you were born with a disability or acquired one later in life, this episode is for anyone ready to pursue meaningful work and thrive.

#DisabilityEmployment #JobSearchTips #WeAreNotStumped #MikeBolland #DisabilityInclusion #ADA #LimbDifference #OneHandMan

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

In this uplifting episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Latonyia Billops, a bilateral above-knee amputee, who shares her remarkable story of surviving a traumatic car accident that changed her life forever. While helping a stranded motorist, Latonyia was struck by a truck that crossed the highway median—resulting in the loss of both her legs.

Despite unimaginable trauma, Latonyia never lost her faith. She opens up about how her spiritual foundation guided her recovery, her refusal to fall into depression, and how she’s used her experience to advocate for others navigating prosthetic care and life with limb loss.

Latonyia also shares insights into the adaptive equipment she uses to maintain independence—such as a sliding board, bath bench, and commode topper—and how these tools have helped her live with greater comfort and dignity. Plus, she reveals her dream of entering a wheelchair pageant, showcasing her confidence and self-love.

This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, joy and purpose are still possible.

Topics Covered:

• The accident that changed Latonyia’s life
• Surviving bilateral above-knee amputation
• Faith and mental resilience after trauma
• Challenges in prosthetic care and advocacy
• Adaptive tools that support daily living
• Confidence, fashion, and wheelchair pageants
• Why self-advocacy is key to independence

Tune in, be inspired, and discover how Latonyia Billops is not just surviving—but thriving.

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

In this empowering episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Jackie Garcia, PT, DPT — a bilingual physical therapist, neurologic specialist-in-training, and founder of Nxt Stride Rehab — a virtual coaching program transforming how amputees recover, rebuild, and thrive.

Jackie opens up about her journey into physical therapy, her passion for supporting individuals with limb loss and spinal cord injuries, and how a gap in care inspired her to launch a program that brings expert support directly into people’s homes — no matter where they live.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Jackie’s path into PT and neurological rehab
• Why she created Nxt Stride Rehab and who it serves
• Stories of clients overcoming major challenges — including hip disarticulation
• How her customized programs help amputees regain strength and independence
• The emotional side of recovery: overwhelm, fear, and building confidence
• How her pregnancy has shifted her approach to care
• Her work with AdaptX to train fitness professionals in amputee-specific support

Whether you're an amputee, caregiver, or rehab professional, Jackie’s insights will inspire you to reimagine what's possible after limb loss — and how virtual therapy is changing the game.

🔗 Connect with Jackie & Learn More:
🌐 Website: nxtstriderehab.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackie.dpt/?hl=en

👉 Like, subscribe, and share this episode to support disability inclusion and awareness!

#AmputeeSupport #VirtualTherapy #LimbLossRecovery #NxtStrideRehab #NeurologicPT #DisabilityInclusion #WeAreNotStumped #Prosthetics #AdaptiveFitness #Osseointegration

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

In this powerful conclusion to the Triple A’s of Limb Loss series, host Mike Bolland explores the third and perhaps most impactful "A"—Attitude.

Born without a right hand, Mike shares how attitude isn't just a mindset—it's a survival tool. With honesty and humor, he dives into how your outlook shapes your journey after amputation, influences your recovery, and determines how you show up for yourself and others.

Whether you’re newly navigating limb loss or years into your journey, this episode is a reminder that while we can’t control everything, we can control how we respond.

🎙️ Missed the first two A's? Catch "Alone" and "Advocacy" wherever you get your podcasts!

#We’reNotStumped #AttitudeIsEverything #LimbLossAwareness #AmputeePodcast #Resilience #DisabilityEmpowerment #TripleAsOfLimbLoss

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

In this moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, Gini Thomas shares her incredible story of resilience after a tragic motorcycle accident took her husband’s life and left her facing devastating injuries. After three years of limb salvage attempts, Gini made the courageous decision to undergo an above-knee amputation in 2015.

She opens up about her life-changing transition from traditional socket prosthetics to the Integrum OPRA Implant System, a bone-anchored prosthetic that has allowed her to walk unassisted and reclaim her independence. Gini discusses the challenges of phantom pain, the power of advocacy, and how she uses social media to inspire and empower fellow amputees.

Join host Mike Bolland for an inspiring conversation about healing, hope, and turning adversity into purpose.

Follow Gini on Instagram: @slimgini
Watch her on TikTok: @ginithomas
Learn about the OPRA™ Implant System: Integrum OPRA

#AmputeeJourney #Osseointegration #OPRAImplant #DisabilityAdvocacy #PhantomPain #Prosthetics #AmputeeEmpowerment #WeAreNotStumped #GiniThomas #LimbLoss #AdaptiveLiving

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/

We’re Not Stumped is the podcast that amplifies voices in the limb loss and disability communities — one story at a time. Hosted by Mike Bolland, who was born without a right hand, each episode explores powerful journeys of resilience, recovery, and purpose.

Centered around Mike’s Triple A’s of Limb Loss — Alone, Advocacy, and Attitude — the podcast tackles the emotional and practical challenges of amputation and disability while celebrating the strength it takes to move forward.

Whether you're living with limb loss, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the power of human perseverance, We’re Not Stumped offers candid conversations, expert insights, and inspiring perspectives.

🦾 Real people. Real struggles. Real strength.
 Because when you find your community, you're never stumped.

Send Mike a Message!

Support the show

Want to be considered as a guest?  Fill out the form here: https://werenotstumped.com/podcast-guest-information/

Learn more about our host Mike Bolland: https://mikebolland.com/