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

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.

💜 Brooke’s mission is simple but powerful: help others reconnect with their spirit, lead fulfilling lives, and see disability through a lens of strength, not limitation.

🎧 In this episode:

• Brooke’s journey with cerebral palsy
• Discovering Reiki and spiritual healing
• The story behind Brooke’s Butterfly Touch
• Her role as a UCP Ambassador
• The Rolling in Grace podcast and disability advocacy
• Why we must always assume competence and bless our differences

📹 Watch Brooke speak at Life Recovery Church:
 Always Assume Competence – Blessing Our Differences

🦋 Learn more about Brooke:
 https://brookesbutterflytouch.com/

👩‍🦼 UCP Ambassador Profile:
 https://ucpofcentralaz.org/ambassadors/brooke-brown/

🎧 Listen to Rolling in Grace:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rolling-in-grace-podcast/id1674482810

If you’re passionate about disability advocacy, spiritual growth, or building a more inclusive world, this episode will uplift and inspire.

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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 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.

🦾 Part 1 of Mike Bolland’s Triple A’s: Alone. Advocacy. Attitude.

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

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Chris Baschuk, a trailblazer in upper limb prosthetics and the Director of Clinical Services at Point Designs. Chris also serves on the board of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and is a proud ambassador for POP, an organization working to expand the pipeline of professionals in Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics.

Together, Mike and Chris explore the cutting edge of prosthetic innovation—from the rise of 3D printing in clinical care to the need for greater access, education, and advocacy for people with limb loss.

🔧 Chris shares his personal journey—from tinkering with tools as a child to mission work in Brazil that inspired his career in biomedical engineering and prosthetics. He explains how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing prosthetic options for partial hand amputees, and how companies like Point Designs are leading the charge with rugged, functional, and customizable prosthetic components.

💡 Topics include:

• The evolution of multi-articulated prosthetic hands
• Pattern recognition technology in upper limb devices
• Shifting from traditional fabrication to additive manufacturing
• Advocacy to improve reimbursement and coding for partial hand prosthetics
• Chris’s leadership in the Upper Limb Prosthetic Society
• Mentorship and outreach through the POP ambassador program
• What his election to the Academy’s board means for future care

Mike also shares a fun then-vs-now look at prosthetic technology by comparing his vintage 1970s prosthetic hand with today’s advanced solutions.

If you're passionate about prosthetic innovation, limb difference advocacy, or the future of orthotic and prosthetic education, this episode is a must-listen.

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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 solo episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland shares his personal “Triple A” framework for navigating life after limb loss: Alone, Advocacy, and Attitude.

Born without a right hand and a cancer survivor, Mike combines his own lived experience with insights from over 100 interviews featured on the podcast. He explores how the feeling of being alone is often the first emotional hurdle amputees face—and how building advocacy and maintaining a strong attitude can lead to powerful transformation.

Whether you're new to limb loss, a caregiver, or a longtime listener, this episode offers motivation, connection, and practical wisdom drawn from real conversations with real people.

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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 talks ith Ryan Wilson—founder of Team Trust Productions—for a conversation about how adaptive athletes are using the power of media to change the narrative around disability.

Ryan shares his journey from discovering adaptive sports at the University of Illinois to launching a creative agency that centers disabled voices through authentic storytelling and inclusive marketing. He opens up about the challenges of building a business as a wheelchair user, the impact of his Disability Marketing Guide, and why empathy and representation are key to reshaping public perception.

You’ll hear how Team Trust Productions is growing, how Ryan balances entrepreneurship with health, and why he believes adaptive athletes should be recognized not for their struggles, but for their strength, skill, and spirit.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

• How media empowers adaptive athletes
• The story behind Team Trust Productions
• Challenges and wins in accessible entrepreneurship
• How inclusive storytelling connects brands with real impact
• Ideas for collaborating in the adaptive sports world

🌐 Want to work with Ryan or explore inclusive marketing?
Visit teamtrustproductions.com

Send Mike a Message!

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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 highlights two incredible stories of perseverance and progress in the world of limb loss and mobility:

🏃‍♂️ From Tragedy to Olympic Dreams
After losing both legs in a devastating accident, one athlete is refusing to let adversity define him. He’s now chasing a spot in the Paralympic Games—training hard, staying focused, and inspiring others along the way.

🌍 Mission Gait: Changing How the World Walks Again
We also spotlight Mission Gait, an organization empowering patients and professionals through advanced gait rehabilitation programs. Their mission: help every person facing walking challenges regain independence and confidence—whether in local clinics or around the world.

✨ Whether you’re living with limb loss, work in the rehab field, or simply love a story of resilience, this episode is for you.

 #DoubleAmputee #ParalympicHopeful #AdaptiveAthlete #AmputeeStrong #MissionGait #GaitRehabilitation #LimbLossAwareness #AmputeeInspiration #WeAreNotStumped #DisabilityAdvocate #ProstheticsJourney #WalkingAgain #ResilienceInMotion #AmputeeLife #InclusiveRecovery #PhysicalTherapyMatters #NeverGiveUp #RehabInnovation #DisabilityInclusion #OvercomingAdversity 

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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 episode of We're Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland speaks with Eric Ford, a resilient father and amputee whose life changed forever in 2009 after a drunk driver struck his car in Atlanta. Eric opens up about the aftermath of the crash, including enduring over a dozen surgeries, the emotional strain on his family, and the moment he chose amputation to reclaim his life.

Eric shares how he embraced a new path—navigating life with a prosthetic leg, diving into rehabilitation, and drawing strength from his children to keep moving forward. His story is a candid look at the realities of trauma, recovery, and the power of perseverance.

🎧 Topics in This Episode:

• Surviving a devastating car accident
• Elective amputation and the road to healing
• Adjusting to life with a prosthetic limb
• Mental health and emotional recovery
• Finding strength through fatherhood
• Tips for mobility and prosthetic adaptation
• Support systems for amputees

Whether you're living with limb loss, supporting a loved one, or simply drawn to stories of resilience, Eric’s journey will inspire and empower you.

👉 Like, Share & Subscribe to help amplify voices in the limb loss and prosthetics community.
 🎥 Watch all episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCbgJBQruEYntQAqPE289MCteAPjy0vS6

#Amputee #ProstheticLeg #LimbLossRecovery #DrunkDrivingSurvivor #AmputationStory #AmputeeSupport #InspiringRecovery #AdaptiveLiving #WeAreNotStumped #MotivationalStories

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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/

Stevia Walker joins host Mike Bolland to share her remarkable story of survival and strength following a devastating car accident that left her with a fused cervical spine and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in her right hand. After exhaustive research and consultations, she chose to undergo amputation—supported by the compassionate care of Dr. Stephen Niedermeyer.

Stevia talks about rebuilding her life and how she uses her experiences to empower others, including her former career as a hair stylist and her current role as a Girl Scout leader. She also discusses her journey with prosthetics and her ongoing battle with phantom limb pain.

As a board member of the Dallas Amputee Network (DAN), Stevia shares insight into their advocacy work, monthly meetings, and the upcoming Legapalooza fundraiser. Founded in 2002 by Ellen Fernandes, DAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, mentoring, and guiding amputees, their families, and caregivers in the North Texas area. The organization promotes education, physical fitness, social interaction, and sharing resources to improve quality of life for the amputee community.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, identity, and community in the amputee world.

Dallas Amputee Network

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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/

What happens when we stop trying to “fix” disability—and start listening instead?

In this compelling episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes back Dr. Stephanie W. Cawthon, a deaf researcher, speaker, and author of Disability is Human. Joined by ASL interpreters Amanda Ford and Steven Nugent, Dr. Cawthon dives into the lived realities of the disabled and Deaf communities—and what true inclusion really means.

From navigating hearing loss in a world with limited ASL access, to facing the “disability tax” and confronting stereotypes in the workplace, this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard truths. They also explore personal identity, societal expectations, and how mentorship, mindset, and opportunity are just as vital as ramps and captions.

Whether you live with a disability or want to better understand those who do, this episode is a must-watch.

🔗 Get the book: Disability is Human https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Human-Vital-Accessibility-Everyday/dp/1954233299

 ❤️ Like, comment, and subscribe to support more authentic disability conversations.

#DeafCulture #DisabilityIsHuman #MikeBolland #ASLAccess #InclusionMatters #WereNotStumped #DisabilityAwareness #EquityNotCharity

Send Mike a Message!

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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/

What’s it like to grow up with a limb difference compared to losing a limb later in life? Host Mike Bolland—who was born without his right hand—dives into these two distinct paths, highlighting how they shape identity, resilience, and daily life.

Through personal insights and stories from guests like Stevia Walker, who became an amputee in 2023, Mike explores how both congenital and acquired limb loss present unique challenges—and unexpected common ground.

Whether you’re living with a limb difference, adjusting after an amputation, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers real talk, encouragement, and connection.

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/