We’re Not Stumped | Motivational Podcast Featuring Survival Stories, Recovery Journeys & Disability Stories

Carter Viss was raised in Denver, Colorado, where his childhood was filled with adventures catching fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects near his home. With several saltwater aquariums to his name, his affinity for aquatic life was unmistakable, a destiny perhaps hinted at by his surname, which translates to "fish" in Dutch. Pursuing his passion, he obtained a Marine Biology degree fr...

Freedom’s Wings Arizona, a non-profit organization operated by individuals with disabilities, whether physical or developmental, has the mission of introducing the exhilarating world of soaring to such individuals.  Their objectives include:  Introducing individuals with disabilities to the soaring experience through Therapeutic Recreation, offering demonstration flights free of charge.  Providing...

In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I welcome John Werner.  Mr. Werner, who retired from Xerox after 41 years in the fall of 2018, faced an unexpected challenge shortly after his retirement. Just a couple of months into his retirement in January 2019, he began experiencing severe pain in his ankle, leading to the amputation of his right leg below the knee two months later. Despi...

The North American One - Armed Golfer Association president Dan Aldrich is the latest guest on the We're Not Stumped podcast. Dan was a teenager in late 1980s Los Angeles, competing as a high-speed international water skier until a fall at nearly 100 mph caused complete nerve detachment in his left arm, deemed irreparable. This injury, affecting the brachial plexus—a network of nerves transmi...

 Help if you can. Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-victoria-as-she-fights-sepsis From the GoFundMe site: "Hello everyone! We urgently need your support for 2nd-grade student Victoria. On Thursday, February 29th, Victoria was admitted to the hospital due to a severe fever and vomiting that quickly escalated into a blood infection. She is currently on a ventilator in the ICU, and her kidne...

Terry Tucker is a renowned international podcast guest, specializing in motivation, self-development, and mindset. With a diverse background spanning from being an NCAA Division I college basketball player to serving as a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, Terry brings a wealth of experience to his speaking engagements. He firmly believes in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire others to...

In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, I welcome right above-knee amputee (RAKA) Tracy Gariepy LaMarche. Tracy wasn't your typical athlete. In fact, she didn't even dip her toes into the world of physical fitness until she reached her thirties. But when she finally embraced it, she did so with an unwavering commitment. A series of events unfolded, propelling Tracy on an unexpe...

Are you a #prosthetist? Do you find vintage #prosthetics interesting? Then this special edition 40th episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast is a must see! I will show you some of my oldies – prosthetics from a different era that I just found after many years. My starter #prosthesis, which is a rubberized mitt and my very first hook I was able to use and control as an infant. Plus a 50-year-old a...

Since the age of three, Kara Skrubis has practiced ballet. Throughout her youth, she traveled the nation, showcasing her ballet prowess. Alongside her performances, she commenced teaching ballet and started her studies as a dance major at University at Buffalo. However, her trajectory took an unforeseen twist during her inaugural semester at UB. In October 2019, Skrubis awoke to excruciating pain...

 In February 2020, Bruce Mezan faced a near-death encounter due to a DUI driver. While en route to lead a motorcycle safety class at 6:30 a.m., an incapacitated driver in an SUV collided with him at 50 mph as he rode through an intersection in Rancho Santa Fe.  Following the accident, Bruce spent most of the next nine months learning to walk again, recuperating, and doing out-patient physical ther...

Bradley's journey as a below-the-knee amputee began in September 2014 due to a prolonged battle with osteomyelitis and multiple surgeries. His pivotal moment came three weeks prior to the amputation when he accompanied Jeff Linton, then president of Midwestern Amputee Golf Association (MWAGA) , on a ride. This encounter marked the beginning of Bradley's deep involvement in adaptive golf....

In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, meet Lisa Strube! An unfortunate accident when she was 18 led to an above knee amputation. Lisa is a therapist who has confronted her own challenges. Through the support of therapy, she successfully worked through moments of self-doubt and emerged in a better place. Specializing in relationship therapy, Lisa appreciates the fundamental human need f...

 J.J. Orsak was living a great life as he was married to his high school sweetheart, had a long time career as an electrician and celebrating a brand-new grandbaby in December 2018. But all of that changed in an instant on December 22. While doing a task he had done countless times, Mr. Orsak’s life changed. A jolt of electricity raced through his body and took both of his hands. In this episode o...

If you are in the mood to learn about prosthetics, 3D printing, and helping others worldwide, listen to this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast. This episode features Brent Wright. He's from Raleigh, NC, is as an ABC-certified prosthetist and BOC-certified orthotist at Eastpoint Prosthetics and Orthotics. His journey in this field began at the age of 16 as a technician, granting hi...

My guest in this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast is the closest to me than any other guest I’ve had the pleasure to have on. Her name is Angie Sandow, and just like me, she was born without a right hand. What an honor to have her on! As she always does, in this episode she passionately shares her experiences of living with a limb difference and surviving breast cancer to encourage and mot...

Welcome back to another empowering episode of "We're Not Stumped," where we delve deep into the lives of individuals defying limitations and breaking barriers. I'm your host, Mike Bolland, a congenital amputee, and today, we're joined by two incredible guests: Jennifer "JJ" Johnson, a bilateral above knee amputee, and Dan Moses, a bilateral below knee amputee. JJ...

Jeanette Jones is a childhood cancer survivor. Despite many attempts to save her left leg over a period of four years, she had to have her leg amputated at age 16. She discusses her battle to both survive and save her leg in this episode of the We're Not Stumped above knee amputee podcast.  #amputee #childhoodcancer #limbloss #amputeelife #amputeestrong #prosthetics #prostheticleg #amputeegir...

 In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I welcome Dr. Eric William Gabriel, a bi-lateral, above-knee amputee, as my guest. He was born and raised in Levittown, Long Island NY, one of the first pre-planned housing developments in the United States. While growing up, he enjoyed going to school, and playing baseball. Later in my life, Eric discovered softball. Starting in his late tee...

 Season 2 is in the books! In this season two finale episode, I have three main topics:  My thoughts on prosthetics: I am sick of how amputees who choose not to wear prosthetics are treated within the amputee community. I also get disgusted by prosthetic manufactures who dismiss certain people in the community in their sole mission to make a profit off amputees.  Amputee Workouts: I am looking for...

 This episode features Rose Booth - author, podcaster and above knee amputee. In her very first book, author Rose Booth shares her unbelievable life story of facing death numerous times, doubting her faith, and rising from the depths of despair in her book, "Dancing in the Valley: Finding Life and Joy Amidst the Shadow of Death Nipping at Her Heels. This is a gripping narrative of how Rose ha...

 Carlos Baker is a songwriter, musician, author, father of 4, ex-pat, amputee, survivor of childhood cancer and adult depression. Having spent his entire life saturated both in music and writing, his band C.K. Baker Bands has released their sophomore album, Find your Way. Carlos’s gift as a songwriter comes alive as an alternative rock sound, a compelling combination of styles from classic rock, r...

Episode 15 of Season Two of the We’re Not Stumped podcast features Penta Medical Recycling. My guests from this great organization are founder Henry Iseman, Deputy Director Anna Szczepanek and Director of Operations Mijamin Strong. The organization was founded in 2016, when a group of university students established Penta Medical Recycling with a dual mission: to make affordable prosthetic care ac...

 In this episode of the We're Not Stumped podcast, I drink through a fire-hose when I learn about Joe Fairley and what he does with 3D printing. To say this gentleman is impressive with his knowledge and background is an understatement. Joe is an ABC Certified Prosthetist & Board Eligible Orthotist, who has experience as a P&O technician before pursuing his Master’s in Prosthetics and...

In this episode of the We're not Stumped podcast, my guest is Dr. Levin Sliker. Dr. Sliker is Co-founder & CEO of Point Designs, an organization that specializes in finger / thumb prosthetics. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. Point Designs was founded by researchers in the field of upper limb prosthetic design from...

Tim Bump, an Oregon native, grew up with a passion for exploring the outdoors alongside his interests in computers, cars, and medical mission trips. These diverse experiences fueled his desire to create, learn, and assist others, leading him to pursue kinesiology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.During his college years, Tim played polo for his college team, volunteered for various events,...