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 Joslynn Bigelow, founder and CEO of Say How Consulting, for a powerful conversation on disability advocacy, system navigation, and the importance of dignity of risk.

Joslynn shares her personal journey into advocacy, the launch of her consulting business, and her five guiding principles for creating inclusive services: dignity of risk, individual readiness, assess and address, authentic experience, and realistic opportunities. She also highlights her colleague Alexia McKeeedy’s adaptive clothing brand, Embrace 1-3-RACE, designed for individuals with limb differences and neurological conditions.

The discussion dives into:

• Why “say how” means finding solutions when systems say “no”
• The role of dignity of risk in fostering independence and inclusion
• The origins and growth of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA)
• The challenges of advancing inclusion in adaptive sports
• The unique opportunities upcoming global sporting events offer for disability awareness

This episode is a must-listen for families, advocates, and anyone passionate about building authentic opportunities for people with disabilities.

Say How Consulting: https://sayhowconsulting.com

United Adaptive Soccer Association: https://unitedadaptivesoccer.com/

#DisabilityAdvocacy #AdaptiveSports #DignityOfRisk #Inclusion

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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Shawn Johnson, founder and executive director of Enhancing Skills for Life, and Mike St. Onge, board chairman and quadruple amputee, to explore the organization’s inspiring mission and impact.

Shawn, an occupational therapist with nearly three decades of prosthetic and rehabilitation experience, shares how Enhancing Skills for Life grew from its first workshop in 2002 into a global community serving people living without both arms or all four limbs. Mike reflects on his personal journey as a quadruple amputee, highlighting the strength of peer support and empowerment in rebuilding independence.

Discover how this nonprofit is transforming lives through:
 ✅ Workshops and skill-building events
 ✅ Adaptive equipment resources like the “Hands-Free Catalog”
 ✅ Scholarships, mentorship, and international participation
 ✅ Exciting future collaborations and upcoming workshops

Whether you’re part of the limb loss community or simply inspired by stories of resilience and hope, this conversation is packed with insight and heart.

🔗 Learn more: Enhancing Skills for Life

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In 2013, just months after becoming a new mother, Armeda Batchler faced the life-changing decision to amputate her left leg above the knee due to osteosarcoma. While she pushed forward with strength—balancing recovery, parenting, and work—she silently battled depression, isolation, and the weight of not wanting to ask for help.

Over time, Armeda discovered the power of connection, rebuilding a local amputee support group and stepping into advocacy to guide others through similar challenges. In this powerful conversation, she shares:

• Her cancer and amputation journey
• The struggles of parenting while adapting to limb loss
• How depression nearly consumed her, and what helped her heal
• Why advocacy and support became her purpose

A story of resilience, honesty, and hope.

Podcast Production and Editing: One Hand Man Productions.

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 On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland takes a look at the Amputee Coalition’s leadership. Between 2019 and 2022, CEO total compensation (Form 990, Part VII, Columns C & F) increased from $183,877 to $380,727—a 107% jump. Cass Isidro stepped into the role in February 2023 and left on August 22, 2025. 

Host Mike Bolland has been told by reliable sources that she did a good job during her tenure. However, with limb loss being a lifetime journey, he discusses why it would be valuable to have someone leading the organization for longer than 2.5 years—someone truly dedicated to the community, not just viewing the position as another step in a career. 

Mike also shares why he personally would not pursue recommendation letters for the Amputee Coalition when it comes to becoming a Certified Peer Visitor. As always. a representative from the Amputee Coalition is welcome to join a future episode to share their perspective and continue this important conversation.

 #WereNotStumped #AmputeeCoalition #LimbLoss #DisabilityAdvocacy #PeerSupport #CertifiedPeerVisitor #LeadershipMatters #NonprofitLeadership #AmputeeCommunity #Prosthetics #AdaptiveLiving #DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters #AdvocacyPodcast #LifeWithLimbLoss 

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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Dr. Christopher Duncan, Chief Medical Officer at Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS), for a groundbreaking discussion on the future of neurotechnology and prosthetics.

Christopher shares his journey from physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation to leader in neural interface technology, with a passion for restoring function and independence for individuals with limb loss. Together, Mike and Christopher dive into:

• The intersection of advanced materials, neurophysiology, and machine learning in prosthetic development
• Why current prosthetic options are like “Civil War technology” compared to what’s possible today
• BIOS’s three-pillar approach to advancing prosthetic innovation
• Patient success stories, including a veteran and a surgeon regaining life-changing abilities with robotic prosthetics
• The role of registries in supporting early adopters and ensuring equitable access across regions
• Privacy and legal concerns around brain-computer interfaces and nerve technology
• The importance of partnerships among research labs, hospitals, and government agencies
• Future applications in lower extremities, diabetes, vascular disease, and even paralysis cases

This episode highlights not just the technology, but the human impact of returning people to full employment, independence, and life satisfaction.

#Neurotechnology #Prosthetics #DisabilityInnovation #BIOS #We’reNotStumped

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In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Angela Calzone, President & CEO of Inroads to Opportunities, as the organization celebrates its 66th anniversary. With a bold goal to double the number of individuals served—from 400 to 800—over the next decade, Angela shares her passion for breaking down misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities and her mission to create lasting workforce inclusion.

From her 35+ year career in the for-profit sector to leading one of the most impactful nonprofits in the disability community, Angela opens up about the challenges of funding, the critical need for employer partnerships, and the real business benefits of inclusive hiring. She also shares powerful success stories, the impact of Inroads’ vocational training programs, and why their largest-ever fundraiser was a milestone moment for the agency.

Whether you’re an employer, advocate, or simply someone who believes in the value of diversity in the workplace, this episode will inspire you to see what’s possible when communities come together to create opportunities.

 💼 Learn more about Inroads to Opportunities: https://www.inroadsto.org/ 

Social media: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inroadsto/ 

X: https://x.com/inroadsto 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inroadsto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/occupational-center-of-union-county/ 

📅 Inroads Annual Casino Night Fundraiser: September 26th - https://www.inroadsto.org/fundraisers/casino-night-fundraiser-awards-dinner-2025 

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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/

The Amputee Coalition is undergoing another major transition with the resignation of President & CEO Cass Isidro, who announced her last day will be August 22nd. In her farewell message, Isidro stated that her work had been about “restoring the Amputee Coalition to its original purpose with deeper community engagement.”

That statement raises difficult questions:
 👉 Why did the Coalition need to be “restored” in the first place?
 👉 Has the organization lost focus on directly serving amputees?
 👉 What does this leadership change mean for peer support, advocacy, and resources moving forward?

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland dives into the resignation news, shares community concerns, and examines whether the Amputee Coalition is truly on track to support the limb loss and limb difference community—or if amputees should be worried about its direction.

Listeners are invited to join the conversation as the podcast takes on tough questions about the Coalition’s mission, leadership, and future.

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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Meegan Winters, CEO and founder of AbleVu, the innovative accessibility search platform making the world easier to navigate for everyone. Meegan shares her inspiring journey—from special education teacher to tech entrepreneur—and how her friendship with Jessica, a power wheelchair user, sparked her mission to improve accessibility for all.

Mike and Meegan explore AbleVu’s evolution from virtual tours to a “TripAdvisor for accessibility,” the business model that empowers contributors, and why accessible information benefits both consumers and businesses. Along the way, Meegan opens up about leaving a stable career, overcoming the challenges of building a startup, and the fulfillment that comes from creating real-world impact.

Discover how technology and empathy intersect to make the world more inclusive.

Learn more and explore accessibility resources: https://ablevu.com/

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If you’ve ever struggled with a prosthetist or received a prosthetic that didn’t meet your needs, you’re not alone — and your story could help others.

I’m Mike Bolland, host of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, where we have honest conversations about life with limb loss, prosthetics, and advocacy. I’m looking for guests to share their real experiences — the good, the bad, and the lessons learned — so we can raise awareness and improve the system for everyone.

📩 Want to be a guest? Visit https://werenotstumped.com/were-not-stumped-limb-loss-podcast-guest-guide/

More about Inspirational Speaker Mike Bolland

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 heartfelt and uplifting episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Katie Thomas for a conversation filled with honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. Born without her right arm below the elbow, Katie began receiving care at Shriners Hospital in Tampa at age 3 and experimented with various prosthetics throughout her childhood. Over time, she discovered that prosthetics were a helpful tool—but not essential for her to live a full, capable life.

Now a devoted parent, Katie opens up about raising her son, who has Witteveen Colk syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She shares her journey through early intervention services, advocating for genetic testing, and ensuring her child receives the support he needs. Her advice to parents? Trust your instincts, push for answers, and never hesitate to speak up for your child.

Katie and Mike also trade stories about life with one hand, from adapting daily tasks to navigating public perceptions and occasional misconceptions. Their conversation touches on sports, school, prosthetic “show-and-tell,” and their shared mission to be seen as capable—not simply inspirational for living their lives.

This episode is a mix of candid storytelling, practical insight, and lighthearted connection that will leave you informed and inspired.

#Parenting #DisabilityAdvocacy #Prosthetics #WitteveenColkSyndrome #We’reNotStumped #MikeBolland #DisabilityAwareness #OneHandLife #Inclusion

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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/