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

Linda Calabria is a product marketing connector with 7+ years in prosthetics and 10 years in other industries. For the last three years she has been putting her vast experience to work while building a startup, employing her knowledge of strategy building, branding, product management, operations, partner management, and marketing, as well as other responsibilities.

Linda is currently the Director of Prosthetic Product & Marketing for BrainRobotics, where she utilizes her thoughts on Marketing: “I truly feel that it is not enough to be a good marketer and know your product. There are other critical handoffs that have to take place, such as those between strategy, creative, engineering, product, and sales. Marketing needs to know the goals of the overall business and how to differentiate their product in a saturated market, and that can't be done in a vacuum. 
 
 I have found that collaborating across multiple departments leads to more effective and strategic marketing campaigns that align with business goals.” 
 

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

Linda Calabria Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindacalabria/

BrainRobotics: https://brainrobotics.com/

BrainRobotics YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-PU8tseWvbn9s2y42F110Q

Upper Limb Discussions with BrainRobotics - The User Perspective: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7047675987211247616/comments/

One handed keynote speaker Mike Bolland

#amputee #prosthetic #limbloss #limbdifference #wewrenotstumped

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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 episode 4 of season 2, I get the pleasure of speaking to Wafa Lavelle.

Wafa was born in the Middle East in the country of Jordan. While her mother was pregnant with her, she became sick and had to take medication. Nothing was known at the time about the medication's side effects on pregnancy, and this led to Wafa being born with birth defects. These included two club feet, legs that were bent to her thighs and hip dysplasia. Because of these birth defects, she was unable to walk and was only able to crawl until seven years of age. At seventeen Wafa stepped on a nail, and this led to the amputation of one of her feet.

With over sixty surgeries behind her and an unpleasant experience with a prosthetist, Wafa is now better than ever. She is a Certified Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition and was recently profiled on WCVB TV in Boston for all of the goodwill she offers to others. Wafa talks about those experiences and more - including funny stories from her life - in this episode of the We're not Stumped podcast.

Helpful links from this episode:
Hanger Clinic: https://hangerclinic.com/
Wafa in InMotion Magazine: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion_online/inmotion-29-06-web/10/
Wafa on WCVB TV: https://www.wcvb.com/article/5-for-good-quincy-woman-offers-peer-support-to-others-with-limb-loss-differences/43215101
Amputee Coalition: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/
Amputee Coalition Certified Peer Visitors: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/support-groups-peer-support/certified-peer-visitor-program/
Wafa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wafahaddadlavelle/

#amputee #amputeestrong #Limbloss #prosthetics #prosthetic #staypositive 

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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/

John Register is a two-time Paralympian, a Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, a Persian Gulf War veteran, and a TEDx motivational speaker. He is also the founder of Inspired Communications International, an organization specializing in motivational keynote speaking, training, and coaching services. He is also a best selling author with his ebook 10 POWER STORIES To Impact Any Leader. Even with all of that, until just a few months ago, John was the Acting President and CEO Amputee Coalition, and now serves on their Board of Directors.

In this episode, I talk to John about getting injured while training for the 1996 Olympics - an injury which ultimately led to an amputation. But his story didn't end there, in fact, it just begun. John tells the story about his recovery and making to the 1996 Paralympic games. John also talks about the his time with the @AmputeeCoalition and the exciting future that lies ahead in every aspect, which includes AC Connect and YEP (Youth Engagement Program) . Wrapping up this fantastic episode are discussions about Limb Loss/Difference Awareness Month and what exciting things John is working towards in his future.

Discussed in this episode: John Register & Inspired Communications: https://johnregister.com/

10 POWER STORIES To Impact Any Leader: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Stories-Impact-Any-Leader-ebook/dp/B085VKRH3T

Amputee Coalition: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/

YEP: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/events-programs/youth-engagement-program-yep/

AC Connect: https://www.amputee-coalition.org/ac-connect/

Paralympics: https://www.paralympic.org/

One handed comedian and speaker Mike Bolland

#Amputee #AmputeeStrong #AmputeeLife #WereNotStumped #AmputeeSupport 

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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/

 Dr. Kimberly Emanuel was living her best life until a catastrophic event entered her life. In January of 2021, an infection caused her to go into severe sepsis shock. Her chances of living were less than 40%. To save her life, she was given Vasopressors designed to pull blood from all of her extremities to her heart. As a result, her limbs developed gangrene. The only medical solution was to remove all affected areas, which in her case was both legs and both arms. Dr. Kimberly became a quad amputee at the age of 50.

But as she states: "Fortunately, I am much more than my illness and disability. I have two grown adult daughters and a growing collection of grandsons. My husband and I have been married for 28 years and we enjoy camping and fishing. As a recently retired educator, my advocacy and Sepsis Awareness platforms have enhanced my public speaking and writing skills. I am interested in modeling adaptive fashions and serving as a motivational speaker to various audiences. My presence is a blessing and I hope to inspire just one person to keep on going!"

Currently Dr. Kimberly is raising funds to acquire a service dog. Any help is appreciated. Donations can be made here: https://givebutter.com/kimberlyscanine

Platforms discussed in this episode:

Dr. Kimberly Emanuel Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kimberly_thequadexperience/

Dr. Kimberly Emanuel Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.emanuel.14 

Dr. Kimberly Emanuel Website - https://thequadexperience.com/ 

Shamrock Prosthetics - http://www.shamrockprosthetics.com/ 


#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking 

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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 the first episode of season two of the We're not Stumped podcast, I welcome television producer Rachel Grow. Rachel was born in Wiesbaden, Germany with a congenital condition called symbrachydactyly. Symbrachydactyly is a rare congenital hand condition in which a child is born with abnormally short fingers that may be webbed, misshaped or missing. It is often confused with other hand conditions but differs in that the underlying structure of the hand is affected — not just the fingers. The hand may not function well, and the bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves of the hand are also often affected. Even with her start in life, Rachel has continued to move forward with nothing but a positive attitude. She has worked in Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera, most notably as a producer on such shows as America's Got Talent, American Idol and Shipping Wars. In this episode Rachel talks about her prosthetic designed by Arm Dynamics and created by Point Design, a great story on how she learned to tie her shoes…and much more! 

To learn even more about Rachel, you can follow her on social: 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@BionicRachel 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionic_rachel/ 
Her appearance on The Tex Factor: https://youtu.be/S2IBDkjZdJA?t=640

Prosthetic Links:
Arm Dynamics: https://www.armdynamics.com/ 
Point Design: https://www.pointdesignsllc.com/


#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking 

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

Season one is in the books! In this episode, I share highlights of all of the episodes that have been produced. 

Here are the links to previous episodes on YouTube: 
Episode 1 with guest Nicole Kelly: https://youtu.be/Z3Fuq5jT7QI 
Episode 2 with guest Jeff Soelberg: https://youtu.be/83eYQPvGO3M 
Episode 3 with guest Christine Caron: https://youtu.be/0VkISaPTKAU 
Episode 4 with Dan Moses and Jennifer (JJ) Johnson: https://youtu.be/2ZlJAVLo1e4 Episode 5 with guest Gary Weiland: https://youtu.be/1tiVe0AW7Zo 
Episode 6 with guest Angie Coe: https://youtu.be/s83rfCPMkNg 
Episode 7 with Guest John Higbee: https://youtu.be/XGjfVpJWEWw 
Episode 8 with Laduan Smedley, Jr. and the Limb Care Foundation Executive Board: https://youtu.be/7o275k_MUF0 

For more information on the topics discussed including links, please refer to the episode on which the guest appeared. 

Want to be considered as a guest? Please see the form on mikebolland.com: https://mikebolland.com/be-a-guest-on-the-were-not-stumped-podcast/ 

More about your host
Speaker Mike Bolland: https://www.mikebolland.com/

We're Not Stumped Official Website: https://werenotstumped.com/

#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking 

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 the We're not Stumped podcast, I have the honor of speaking with all four executive members of the Limb Care Foundation. The mission of Limb Care Foundation is to promote multidisciplinary approaches to limb salvage, function, and patient quality of life through relevant & meaningful education, advocacy, and outreach. The Limb Care Foundation and their executive members are driven by a desire to provide preventive limb care to those in need and educate the future generation of health care providers on the importance of limb health. 

They are a DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics/Orthotics & Supplies) donation center. They will collect your unused or gently used medical equipment and get it in the hands of someone in desperate need. See their website linked below for more information. They also aid the homeless. The Limb Care Foundation is dedicated to reaching out to homeless communities and providing them with much needed medical equipment and supplies that help to promote limb health and awareness. This population is very susceptible to amputations that could largely be avoided with proper care and preventative measures. 

Executive Board: 
Laduan Smedley, Jr., CPO - President, Co-Founder
Aarron Flowers DPM, AACFAS - Vice President, Co-Founder 
Brandon U. Edenedo, PT, DPT - Treasurer, Co-Founder 
Quincy Amarikwa, 13 Year MLS/USL Pro - Secretary, Co-Founder 

Limb Care Website: https://limbcarefoundation.org 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LimbCareFoundation 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limbcarefoundation/


#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking  

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/

John Higbee is a standup comedian in the Phoenix area and performs all over the state. His dry sense of humor and quick wit makes him a crowd favorite. While going to ASU as young man, his life changed forever as he lost both of his hands. John shares that story plus his sense of humor in this episode of the "We're not Stumped" podcast. 

#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking 

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/

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 Angie Coe has always been active. She rides horses. She loves to go shooting. She loves all outdoor activities. All of that could have changed just a short time ago for Angie. But with an attitude that her mom describes as “it is what it is”, and with gritty determination, she has come back from a devastating hand injury to do all of those activities and even more.

A short time after her injury, Angie started searching the internet in an effort to learn more about the journey she was about to undertake. However, she found little information on the patient side, and that's when she decided her journey would be an "open book" for others to learn from. You can keep up with her story on her Instagram account called "Bionic_Angie" and read more about her as an ambassador for Point Designs on their website (links below).

Angie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionic_angie/
Point Designs: https://www.pointdesignsllc.com
Point Designs Ambassadors: https://www.pointdesignsllc.com/ambassadors

#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking 

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/

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Gary lost the lower part of hie left leg in 2018. Since that time Gary has become a motivational speaker, author, American Ninja Warrior, entrepreneur, and a member of multiple USA Para teams. Even with all of that, he also did what many thought was impossible and went back to work as a firefighter. His message of ‘Adapt and Overcome’ has become more than a mantra – it’s his inspiring message that has helped others. The children’s books he has written share a message of hope and acceptance, all with a message for young and old alike. Gary continues to travel the country and share his message. We were very honored to have Gary on our podcast.

More on Gary: 
Gary’s Website: https://garyweiland.com 
Gary on America Ninja Warrior: https://youtu.be/RZBY14gwi5Y 
Adapt & Overcome Apparel: https://gary-weiland.myshopify.com 
Fischer’s Accident (All Books in Series): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SBQZZQT?binding=paperback&qid=1651592102 

#amputee #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amplife #amputation #limbloss #amputees #adaptiveathlete #disability #amputeefitness #prosthetic #amputeemodel #motivation #prosthesis #disabled #adaptive #iamadaptive #amputeelifestyle #amputados #amputeeswholift #amputeewoman #bionic #wheelchair #inspiration #podcast
#limbdifference #werenotstumped #amputeelife #noexcuses #staypositive #positivethinking 

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/