Limbloss Connection: The Next Step

Episode 15: Still Me: Kris ’s Journey Through Cancer, Sepsis, and Amputation

In this episode, Kevin Gray sits down with Kris Kristensen, a cancer survivor, sepsis warrior, and above-knee amputee who embodies what it means to adapt and persevere. After years of misdiagnosed back pain, Kris was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, leading to a radical hemipelvectomy that removed his left leg, hip, and part of his pelvis. While recovering, he developed life-threatening sepsis and lost his large intestine, now living with an ileostomy. Despite it all, Kris has reclaimed his life — returning to golf, skiing, and even rock climbing — while working as a pharmaceutical training consultant and writing under the powerful mantra, "I’m Still Me." Through faith, family, and a fierce commitment to mental health advocacy, Kris shares a raw and inspiring story of survival, identity, and the power of community.

Episode 14: Carolyn Buffington’s Journey with Bone Cancer and a Mega Prosthesis

In this episode of The Next Step, host Kevin Gray sits down with Carolyn Buffington, an avid runner and hiker whose life took a sudden turn after a rare bone cancer diagnosis. Though she’s not an amputee, Carolyn underwent a life-changing surgery that resulted in the implantation of a “mega prosthesis”—a complex medical device used to replace a joint and large segment of bone following tumor resection.
Carolyn opens up about her transition from high activity to limited mobility, the emotional toll of losing her former identity, and how she’s found new purpose through connection with others facing similar challenges. From dealing with pain and setbacks to celebrating small victories, Carolyn’s story is one of adaptation, courage, and compassion.
Whether you’re living with limb loss, chronic illness, or any life-altering condition, Carolyn’s journey offers powerful insight into what it means to turn hardship into strength—and why support and community make all the difference.

Episode 13: No Hands, No Limits – Debbie Dwyer’s Journey After Quadruple Amputation

In this episode of The Next Step, host Kevin Gray speaks with Debbie Dwyer, a former school secretary whose life changed overnight after what seemed like a routine case of kidney stones. Debbie was septic and spent a month in a coma—only to wake up and discover she had lost both legs below the knee and parts of both arms due to sepsis-related complications.
Despite losing all four limbs, Debbie’s spirit remains unshaken. She shares how she quickly accepted the loss of her legs but struggled deeply with the loss of her hands—arguably her biggest hurdle. Yet today, she lives independently, types on a computer, walks with a walker, and speaks candidly about mental health, adaptation, and rejecting the label of “inspirational porn.”
This is not just a story of survival—it’s one of agency, acceptance, and redefining what it means to live fully. Tune in as Debbie opens up about sepsis awareness, emotional recovery, and why, even without hands, she never lets go of hope.

Episode 12: From Service to Strength – Captain David’s Journey After Limb Loss

In this episode of The Next Step, host Kevin Gray sits down with retired U.S. Navy Captain David Cantrel, a combat veteran whose life took an unexpected turn after a devastating motorcycle accident. Just three years into retirement, David was airlifted to the hospital following a crash that resulted in the amputation of his leg below the knee. What followed was a journey through anger, depression, and ultimately, acceptance and renewal.
David opens up about his 30 years of military service, the leadership lessons he carried from combat into recovery, and the pivotal role his wife played in helping him find a path forward. From support groups to physiotherapy to learning to snowboard again, David’s story is a powerful reminder that limb loss doesn’t define your future—it reshapes it.
Tune in to hear how a career Navy officer faced one of his greatest battles after the battlefield—and came out the other side with strength, perspective, and a passion for life.

Episode 11: ighting for Yourself – Dana’s Story of Resilience and Self-Advocacye

In this episode of The Next Step, we meet Dana, a bilateral below-the-knee amputee from just outside Philadelphia whose life changed drastically due to complications from diabetes and arterial disease. Over the course of two years, Dana underwent two amputations—first in 2015, then again in 2016—and faced a long and painful recovery complicated by hospital errors, staph infections, and a healthcare system that too often failed to deliver the care he needed.
But Dana’s story is not just about loss—it’s about fighting back. From learning how to walk again with prosthetics to rebuilding a life without family support, Dana has learned the hard way that no one will advocate for you like you can. He shares how he pushed through physical and emotional setbacks, adapted his home for accessibility, and maintained his independence despite incredible odds.
This conversation dives deep into the realities of hospital care, the challenges of living with limb loss, and the power of self-advocacy. Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis, navigating the healthcare system, or supporting someone you love, Dana’s story is a compelling reminder that strength isn’t just physical—it’s also about having the courage to speak up when it matters most.

Episode 10: Riding Through Adversity: Maggie Parker’s Journey After Limb Loss

In this episode, we meet Maggie Parker—a lifelong adventurer whose passion for motorcycle travel took her across North America until a devastating accident in 2019 changed everything. After being airlifted to hospital, placed in a coma, and enduring extensive trauma, Maggie ultimately underwent a below-the-knee amputation. But that wasn’t the end of her journey—it was the beginning of a new one.
Host Kevin Gray sits down with Maggie to talk about how she’s rebuilt her life after limb loss. From phantom pain to prosthetics, mental health to setting small goals, Maggie opens up about the challenges of recovery and the resilience it takes to move forward. She shares how adaptive technology helps her navigate everyday life, how she’s found strength in community, and why she’s determined to return to the open road.
This is a powerful conversation about identity, adaptation, and reclaiming your independence—even when the road ahead looks completely different. Maggie’s story will resonate with anyone facing change, uncertainty, or a new beginning.

Episode 9: A Lifetime of Resilience – Kris’s Story

In this episode, we meet Kris Rose, whose journey through pain, perseverance, and profound transformation began at birth. Born with clubfoot and no fully formed heels, Kris endured multiple surgeries throughout childhood, only to face a new challenge in her teens: a diagnosis of juvenile arthritis that affected both her hands and feet. As the years progressed, so did the pain—relentless and life-limiting. After numerous surgeries, including an ankle fusion and a total ankle replacement that ultimately failed, Kris found herself facing a difficult but empowering choice: below-the-knee amputation.
Host Kevin Gray speaks with Kris about the medical, emotional, and personal battles she has fought along the way. She shares how a single day on her feet at her son’s wedding in 2015 changed everything, how she coped with the sudden loss of mobility, and what led her to choose amputation as a path to reclaim her life. We explore her post-surgical recovery, the physical and psychological adjustments she made, and how she found new strength and relief in the aftermath of limb loss.
Kris talks candidly about the importance of self-advocacy in the healthcare system, preparing both mentally and physically for major surgery, and learning to walk again with confidence. Her story is a powerful reminder that even when the road is long and filled with setbacks, there is always a way forward.
If you're navigating chronic pain, facing complex medical decisions, or searching for inspiration, this episode is for you.

Episode 8: Grit & Gears: Tom Allred’s Lifetime of Adventure

In this episode, we will hear from Tom Allred, whose life began with severely underdeveloped legs and over a hundred surgeries before, at age 12, he made the bold decision to become an above‑knee amputee—and in doing so unlocked a world of independence and possibility. From roaring down highways on a motorcycle and commanding eighteen‑wheelers behind the wheel to representing his country in sitting volleyball at the 1988 Paralympic Games, Tom has spent decades defying expectations and embracing adventure.
Now at 75, he channels that same spirit into mentoring new amputees, teaching the skills that turn fear into confidence, and proving every day that limb loss is not a limitation but an invitation to live fully.

Episode 7: Crash to Comeback: Scott Lowell’s Road to Renewal

In this episode, we will hear from Scott Lowell, who dedicated over 25 years to healthcare administration and laboratory science leadership before his world was upended in May 2022 by a collision with a drugged driver while riding his motorcycle. What followed was a 40‑day hospital stay, grueling surgeries, and the difficult decision to undergo an above‑knee amputation.
Supported by his wife, two sons, and a circle of dedicated caregivers, Scott navigated the physical and emotional challenges of recovery, embraced the complexities of prosthetic rehabilitation, and discovered the inner resilience that would help him reclaim his mobility and purpose.
Join us as Scott candidly shares the pivotal moments, mental battles, and hard‑won victories that have shaped his remarkable journey of adaptation and triumph over limb loss.

Episode 6: Rob Simpson - Spared the Knee: Robs Remarkable Road to Recovery

In this episode, we will hear from Rob, who faced life‑altering challenges after his amputation. When the tissue around his surgical site refused to heal in rehab and surgeons warned of a possible above‑knee revision, Rob prepared himself mentally, researched full‑leg prosthetic options and costs, and used private pep talks to bolster his resolve. Miraculously, enough healthy tissue remained to spare his knee.
Supported by his wife, two devoted sisters, and his occupational therapist, he learned to navigate life in a wheelchair and on a walker, discovered how to secure financial aid for prosthetics, and adapted his home routines after a fall left his hip badly bruised. Join us as Rob candidly shares the resilience, support networks, and practical strategies that have guided his remarkable journey of recovery and adaptation to life after limb loss.