Follow Us | Forrest Stump

Whether she’s biking down the Pacific coast, taking her message to Washington, D.C., or climbing a volcano in Ecuador, Nicole is running around the world helping to elevate the voices of the disability community!

Check out Nicole’s latest posts and follow her @RunForrestStump:

runforreststump

19 years!! Cancer free. Leg free. And still going

19 years!! Cancer free. Leg free. And still going strong! 😊 Thankful for moments like these, the little moments that matter. Chasing bubbles, laughing, enjoying nature. I’m so glad my parents and I made the decision to amputate on January 21st, 2002 so that I could experience so many more moments like this. I’m also so thankful for the life being an amputee has given me. The amazing people I’ve met, the work I’ve been able to do. It’s given me such purpose and love. Thank you to so many who have helped me along the way, from surviving cancer to thriving as an amputee, and everything in between. It means the world. 🌍🦿

#amputee #disabledbutnotreally #iamadaptive #livelife #bubbles #nature #ampuversary #prosthesis #laugh #smile #move #forward #keepgoing #love #embrace #gratitude #anniversary #mlk #disabilityrights #grateful #cancer #osteosarcoma #survivor #fuckcancer

Happy Holidays from me and Nat! We enjoyed a littl

Happy Holidays from me and Nat! We enjoyed a little escape from our Christmas quarantine today to breathe some fresh air and enjoy the swells off the Puget. 2020 has been one of the most challenging years. A year of balance: Ups and downs. Positives and negatives. Laughter and tears. Gains and losses. But we’ve certainly learned a lot and grown along the way. We’re so grateful to our friends and family who’ve sat next to us on this roller coaster of a year. You’ve made this year special for us and #ForrestStump. Wherever you’re spending your holiday, we hope the end of your year is filled with peace, joy, and happiness! Much love to you all!

#runforreststump #happyholidays #pugetsound #washington #newyear #covid #covidchristmas #seattle #thankful #strength #power #purpose

Have you voted? 🗳 I’m thankful that the state

Have you voted? 🗳 I’m thankful that the state of Washington respects the right to vote and makes it accessible to its residents. Make sure your voice is heard tomorrow! The only way our political leaders will know what our priorities are is if we tell them. They represent US! Tell them on your ballot. I’m voting for #disabilityrights #womensrights #lgbtqrights because this is important to me and my family! #IVoted2020

#amputee #disabledandproud #vote #election #getoutandvote #disability #access #inclusion #accessibility #healthcare #prosthetics #wheelchairs #ourrighttoexercise #abetterfuture #wejustfeltlikerunning #runforreststump

I’m truly lucky to have a partner that has suppo

I’m truly lucky to have a partner that has supported my every dream. Whether it’s been climbing a volcano, starting a nonprofit together, or running a marathon, @natharold has always been there right by my side. She never gets enough credit for the incredible energy she puts in. She doesn’t like being in front of the camera - or behind it for that matter 😂 - but she deserves the spotlight. I want to give her a shout out for her amazing work on Forrest Stump’s #WeJustFeltLikeRunning campaign. She’s a woman of many talents... from designing the race bibs, to making my prosthetic running leg, to all the behind the scenes admin work. She gets the job done! Thank you Nat for your dedication to this mission and your passion to bring justice and equality to the disability community! Forever my SAG wagon. ☺️🌈👩‍❤️‍👩

#ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #firstmarathon #running #runner #run #triathlon #swim #bike #amputee #disability #access #runningblade #bladerunner #equality #equalrights #justice #healthcare #athlete #lgbtq #girlfriend #partnerincrime #disabledbutnotreally #iamadaptive #goals #squadgoals

It’s been AMAZING seeing all of the posts, photo

It’s been AMAZING seeing all of the posts, photos, and videos come flooding in to Forrest Stump from across the country for the #WeJustFeltLikeRunning movement!

It’s one thing to share the numbers and stats... but it doesn’t really hit home until you start reading the names, the cities, and see the photos from everyone who participated. I wanted to share a few here of individuals from all over who exercised their body and their voice this weekend for #disabilityrights!

If you haven’t yet, upload your race day photos and videos to our Dropbox so that you are included in our recap video to Congress!! (Link in bio). Let’s keep the effort from this weekend going strong. Advocacy is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. 😂💪 So sign our petition and share it with others!! Let’s get to 10K signatures!! 💚🌲🦿

#ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #movementforchange #signourpetition #access #healthcare #equality #equalrights #prosthetics #orthotics #wheelchair #runningblade #amputee #spinabifida #cerebralpalsy #exercise #moveyourbody #advocacy #policy #athlete
#running #runners #run #bike

On behalf of our entire team at Forrest Stump, THA

On behalf of our entire team at Forrest Stump, THANK YOU! We are amazed and so incredibly proud of the amount of support and community that came together this past Saturday, 10/03 to race for disability rights! Because of you, we blew past the goals we set out for the #WeJustFeltLikeRunning campaign and accomplished some amazing results:

- 629 registered racers
- 23% of participants were individuals with disabilities
- 6,691 miles pledged (enough to cross the USA more than twice!)
- $12,624 dollars fundraised
- 7,585 signatures on our petition (and counting!)

We are tallying up more stats from race day and look forward to sharing more soon, including some surprise virtual awards!

In the meantime, we want to hear from you! Can you upload your race day photos and videos to our Dropbox folder? (➡️Link in bio!) We will use these to create a race recap video for our community, and also share it with Congress. We want you represented!

Given Congress is in the heat of an election year, we will be delivering our petition, event recap video, and policy paper to members after November 3rd so that it gets the attention it deserves. In the meantime, we will still be promoting our petition with a goal of reaching 10,000 signatures before we deliver it. We just surpassed our 7,500 signature milestone and we need your help to get to 10K. Will you sign our petition, and then share it with your family and friends? (➡️Link in bio!!) We need your help on this final push!

Thank you again for your support of Forrest Stump’s inaugural, nationwide virtual race for disability rights! We are excited for what's to come and are proud to have you as fellow advocates in this fight for justice.

#RunForrestStump #OurRightToExercise #disability #disabilityrights #access #awareness #inclusion #exercise #physicalactivity #amputee #wheelchair #handcycle #pushrim #orthosis #disabledandproud #runner #run #running #runnersofinstagram #goals #runacrossamerica #congress #signourpetition

Today was AMAZING because of all of YOU! Wow. I’

Today was AMAZING because of all of YOU! Wow. I’m speechless with the support and all of you who got out and moved for Forrest Stump’s #WeJustFeltLikeRunning today and raised your voice for #disabilityrights!

Thanks to my Seattle contingent and amazing support crew, I was able to accomplish a lifelong dream of running a marathon. It also wouldn’t have been possible without my “not medically necessary” running blade. Individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to accomplish their dreams just like everyone else and be able to participate in physical exercise that makes them whole physically, emotionally, and socially. I’m super proud of everyone who recorded some amazing firsts today and pushed themselves to get active.

I want to give special kudos to our Seattle crew including @mallorieruns who ran her first half marathon today - 13.1 miles! - after just receiving her first ever running blade 6 months ago! To Lina @linagarada who has MS and pushes through muscle weakness and fatigue to be the best endurance athlete and teammate she can be. And to Erin @erinhundtofte who is conquering a new diagnosis of Celiac disease with incredible perseverance. Each of these ladies inspires me to fight for the disability community.

I look forward to reading through each and every one of your posts over the next couple days and sharing what we accomplished on Strava! For now, I’m going to ice my legs and eat this giant pizza. Thank you all for your incredible support! We’re just getting started.

#OurRightToExercise #RunForrestStump #disability #access #inclusion #equality #runner #firstmarathon #run #marathon #26.2 #runnersofinstagram #pushyourself #healthcare #getactive #friends #thankful #gratitude #community

It’s time! #WeJustFeltLikeRunning is here! Close

It’s time! #WeJustFeltLikeRunning is here! Close to 600 people are signed up and logging miles for a purpose!

Today, let’s exercise our bodies AND our voices by helping raise awareness and advocate for the disability community.

Before or after completing your miles, or if you’re just now seeing this and you want to be part of today, our team would love it if you could help with one - or all - of the following ACTION STEPS:

1) Sign Our Petition! 🖊 (Link in bio 💪)

2) Post to Social Media (tag @runforreststump and use the hashtag #WeJustFeltLikeRunning and #OurRightToExercise)

3) Upload your race day photos and videos to our Dropbox. We will be compiling a video to Congress! (Link in bio 💪)

Let’s exercise our right to exercise and make sure the disability community is not forgotten. Thank you for your support and being a part of this movement!

#WeJustFeltLikeRunning #OurRightToExercise #RunForrestStump #virtualrace #disabilityrights #advocate #useyourvoice #voiceforchange #running #biking #handcycling

Obligatory pre-race gear post! We ready for #WeJus

Obligatory pre-race gear post! We ready for #WeJustFeltLikeRunning, racing for disability rights!

As I started to lay this all out, I began to think of each piece with a price tag:

Shorts: $25
Singlet: $35
Socks: $6
Shoes: $120
Chews: $2
Gel: $2
Sunglasses: $100
Prosthetic running leg: $15,000

I think it becomes clear pretty quickly what we mean by #equitable access to physical activity. How can we ever expect amputees, or wheelchair or orthotic users to get to a starting line that costs them tens of thousands of dollars when for other people it might be a couple hundred? When you lace up and hit the starting line, do you ever look around and think about who is not here but could be? Do you ever wonder why?

Physical activity should not cost tens of thousands of dollars to be able to participate. But that’s exactly the position individuals with disabilities are put in when insurance companies deny them access to assistive technologies needed for athletics as “not medically necessary.”

I want to run just like everyone else. And this is what it takes me do that. It’s time we make exercise accessible for all.

🎤 drop. Sign our petition! Race with us! Let’s change this!

#ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #running #runner #run #advocate #policy #access #equity #equality #disability #amputee #prosthesis #bladerunner #ossur #lifewithoutlimitations #change #exercise #sport #physicalactivity #athlete #gear #letsrace #iamadaptive

WOOT WOOT! 1️⃣ day til race day! Join me and m

WOOT WOOT! 1️⃣ day til race day! Join me and my friend, Team PossAbilities athlete, and advocate Zimri Solis @zimrisolis11 today (Friday, Oct 2nd) at 12pm PT / 3pm ET for an Instagram LIVE Q&A. We will be sharing why this cause is so important to us as amputees, what we’re doing on race day, and how you can help! We will also be answering any questions and addressing common FAQs. It will be both mine and Zimri’s first LIVE together and we’re excited and ready to have some fun. 😝💪 (Plus can I just give Zimri a shout out for being Dad of the year? Twin boys in 2020 and he’s rocking it!)

If you can’t make ours and still want to learn more, head on over to @aeisenmenger3 and @kdonnewald IG who will be hosting a LIVE at 1pm PST! These two ladies are amazing advocates and will surely have both an enlightening and entertaining conversation about disability+exercise. They might also have a fun Friday fact that involves @sourpatchkids...which may or may not be their go to race nutrition! 🤣

Still time to sign up! Link in our bio. Let’s go!!!

#ourrighttoexercise #virtualrace #wejustfeltlikerunning #runforreststump #instagramlive #disabilityrights #raceday #running #athlete #iamadaptive #bemoreadaptive #amputee #prosthetic #runningblade #access #runners #run #ossur #lifewithoutlimitations #disability #goals #keeppushing #workhard

FIRST MARATHON!! 26.2 miles here we come!! I am so

FIRST MARATHON!! 26.2 miles here we come!! I am so pumped that this day is almost here. This bucket list item has been YEARS in the making!! For most marathon runners, yes there’s a lot of training and preparation involved. But what if I told you that for a person with a disability, the training was the easy part? Seriously, I’m not joking. Training for a marathon is EASIER than getting what you need in our healthcare system to be physically active as an individual with a disability.

I went 16 years of my life, faced countless insurance denials, was in physical therapy twice a week with pain, quit my job, started a nonprofit, swam/biked/and ran a 1,500 mile triathlon... and then, and only THEN did I get what I needed to run safely and without pain. What is WRONG with this picture?

There’s a reason 1 in 2 adults with disabilities get absolutely no aerobic exercise. There’s a reason obesity rates are 38% higher for children with disabilities, and that they are 4X less physically active than their peers. We make it EXTREMELY hard for someone with a disability to be active in our country, and then we blame it on their “inability to be active" as the problem.

Well, I’m calling BS and saying No! Our limitation is not our disability. Our limitation is our healthcare system that discriminates and denies access to the assistive technologies and habilitative services our community needs to be active. It’s time we step up for this community!

I’m calling on everyone. If you’ve ever taken your mobility for granted, if you know how important your mobility is for you, your family, your children...then speak up. Sign our petition, join our virtual race on Saturday, donate to Forrest Stump. There are many action steps you can take to help (link in bio)! Let’s show Congress that it’s time for change one mile at a time!

#ourrighttoexercise #virtualrace #runforreststump #equalrights #signourpetition #athlete #access #amputee #disabilityrights #iamadaptive #prosthesis #bladerunner #running #firstmarathon #marathon #run #congress #runner #runnersofinstagram #disability #wheelchair #orthosis #sport #exercise #goals #marathontraining

Who just felt like paddling!? ☺️🚣🏽‍♀

Who just felt like paddling!? ☺️🚣🏽‍♀️ Shout out to our small but mighty group of paddlers taking part in our virtual race #WeJustFeltLikeRunning on 10/03!! @northwoods.nancy and @erinhundtofte that includes you! 💚 We are an inclusive campaign, meaning if you can dream it, you can do it! However you want to complete your miles on race day, we encourage it. Sign up using the link in my bio! All forms of movement are encouraged. This is about exercising our right to exercise and championing that for the disability community! The countdown begins... less than 2 days away from our big race! 484 registered... so close to 500! Will you join us?

#ourrighttoexercise #forreststump #runforreststump #swim #bike #run #paddle #handcycle #moveyourbody #disabilityrights #advocacy #humanright #speakout #amputee #prosthesis #disability #action #policy #congress #signourpetition #nature #water #kayaking #clouds #northernmichigan #throwback #tbt #torchlake

We now have 437 racers signed up for our #WeJustFe

We now have 437 racers signed up for our #WeJustFeltLikeRunning virtual race this Saturday from around the country... and the world!! 🌍 We are so close to our goal of 500 racers. Will you help us get there?

From our little desk in Seattle, to now around the world, this community is challenging the status quo and creating a movement for #disabilityrights to show that physical activity is a human right for ALL! We all deserve the opportunity to move our bodies freely to stay healthy. It’s time we make this a reality for the disability community by educating Congress and changing discriminatory policies that perpetuate health disparities.

If you’ve already signed up, can you recruit one more person? If you haven’t signed up, will you join us? Any miles count - not just running! You can walk, paddle, handcycle, skate... just move! We also have a number of FREE promo codes thanks to our generous sponsors:

⭐️DISABILITY2020
⭐️BIPOC2020
⭐️COVID2020

You can sign up at the link in my bio. Let’s change the world together!

#ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #forreststump #disability #advocacy #amputee #prosthesis #bladerunner #access #policy #virtualrace #moveyourbody #usa #world #running #runnersofinstagram #run #bike #swim #getoutside #art #mural #exerciseyourrighttoexercise #humanrights #disabledbutnotreally #iamadaptive #inclusion #sport

Hey friends! I'm tagging you because I want you to

Hey friends! I'm tagging you because I want you to join me this Saturday 10/03 as we virtually race across the USA for #disabilityrights!!

I've tagged you because you have a disability just like me, and it's time we speak up for our community. The fact running prostheses, sports wheelchairs, high-activity orthoses, and sighted guides are considered "not medically necessary" and denied for our community is just another form of discrimination we must end. Will you join me in Forrest Stump's #WeJustFeltLikeRunning virtual race and bring your voice to this cause?

Once you've signed up, drop me a 💚 in the comments and tag another friend! We are so close to having 500 racers and I’d love your help to reach this goal!

You can sign up FOR FREE with the promo code DISABILITY2020. You can run, handcycle, swim - whatever you want - and any number of miles count.

Only takes a minute to register here and pledge your miles: https://wejustfeltlikerunning.eventbrite.com (Link in bio!!)

Be part of this movement for change. Let's make history!

#wejustfeltlikerunning #ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #disabilityrights #access #equalrights #running #iloverunning #runnersofinstagram #run #bike #swim #handcycle #disability #sport #amputee #disabledbutnotreally #prosthesis #bladerunner #signourpetition #useyourvoice #advocacy #policy #seattle #washingtondc #humanrights #sport #exercise

Who’s ready for race day!!?? 😀💪The countdo

Who’s ready for race day!!?? 😀💪The countdown begins! We are now 5 days out from our #WeJustFeltLikeRunning virtual race this Saturday, October 3rd!

Hundreds of racers and thousands of people across the country have spoken up to say that physical activity is a right for the disability community and we need to remove the barriers that keep us from accessing it! If you haven’t yet signed our petition or registered to race, there’s still time (➡️link in bio)! If you have signed up, THANK YOU & make sure you check out your Virtual Race Day Packet (➡️link in bio) to download your race bib, join our Strava club, and learn how you can raise awareness on race day!

Yesterday’s 10 mile easy run before my marathon this Saturday was thanks to @stephharold and @natharold!! Best pacers and support crew ever 🙏💚... plus a little recovery sesh with Hunter the dog who thought my salty, sweaty leg tasted really good. 🐶😂😛 It kind of felt like a leg massage, lol. I’ll take it!

Thank you all for making this day an incredible success. I’m so excited for the 3rd!!

#ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #forreststump #virtualrace #disabilityrights #policy #signourpetition #marathontraining #running #runner #run #amputee #iloverunning #prosthesis #bladerunner #swim #bike #run #getactive #equalrights #sport #marathon #firstmarathon #goals

Thankful for yesterday’s 18 mile training run un

For every woman to know she has a voice and has so

For every woman to know she has a voice and has something of value to say. Thank you Ruth Bader Ginsburg for paving a path for a more equal and just society. May we continue to pave this path so that others - both men and women - are closer to the freedom this country has promised us. Vote vote vote!!

#ruthbaderginsburg #RBG #notoriousrbg #womenempowerment #women #inmemory #advocacy #policy #freedom #justice #equality #feminism #vote #amputee #access #prosthetics #mobility #speaker #speaking #voice #empoweringwomen #disability #iamadaptive #getoutthevote

We asked and you answered! AMAZING WORK everyone.

We asked and you answered! AMAZING WORK everyone. 👏👏👏5000 signatures... and counting! What an incredible milestone to reach!!

LET’S. KEEP. THIS. GOING. 💪

I wanted to take a moment to share why you all are signing. I have read every single comment on our petition and I’m blown away with the support. Hearing others’ personal experiences shows we’re not alone. Knowing that people outside the disability community support this with the same fervor and passion shows the power in allyship and caring about something even when it doesn’t personally impact you.

Together we are working to upend a long-standing status quo that patronizes the disability community and forces us to *beg* for what we need rather than be guaranteed access to the same basic rights like everyone else.

Someone shared, “Serious. Why is this even something we should have to advocate for?” I couldn’t agree more. But, we must keep fighting for justice to be served.

Keep sharing your stories with us! If you didn’t get a chance on the petition, tell us now, why did you sign? Why does this petition resonate with you? We want to hear! We need your energy! Let’s keep going! Keep sharing and asking others to sign. Link in bio!

#ourrighttoexercise #wejustfeltlikerunning #runforreststump #access #equality #quotes #running #run #advocacy #runnersofinstagram #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilityadvocacy #fightforjustice #allyship ve #diversewerun #petition #signthepetition @changedotorg #socialjustice #allyship

We are SOOOO CLOSE!! Will you help us get to 5,000

We are SOOOO CLOSE!! Will you help us get to 5,000 signatures on our petition for The Rights of Americans With Disabilities To Exercise?

If you haven’t yet signed, SIGN! (It only takes a few seconds). If you have signed, will you share this post and ask others? Use the link in our bio.

Currently, running prosthetics, high-activity orthotics, sports wheelchairs, and sighted guides are all considered “not medically necessary” and denied by insurance. Without coverage, not only is this equipment and assistive care prohibitively expensive, but individuals with disabilities are forced into injury by utilizing improper devices and/or remain inactive as a result. This has led to higher obesity rates, risk of serious diseases, and an early death sentence for the disability community. Insurance companies blatantly discriminate against the disability community as it relates to this medical care, and we must change this.

Through our petition and virtual race, we are calling on Congress to uphold the rights established for the disability community in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, commit to eliminating the barriers to equal participation in athletics, and ensure affordable access to adaptive sports equipment.

I’m super proud of our grassroots team for sharing this message and getting so close to this milestone! Please help us reach this goal!

#ourrighttoexercise #wejustfeltlikerunning #disability #civilrights #advocacy #petition #sign #change #run #running #runnersofinstagram #runforreststump #runningblade #sportswheelchair #adaptivesports #iamadaptive #exercise #goals #equality #disabilityrights #prosthetics #washingtondc #signthepetition @changedotorg

Elite athletes aren’t born, they’re made. They

Elite athletes aren’t born, they’re made. They require an incredible amount of dedication, hard work, perseverance, and in the case of #disabled athletes, appropriate medical care throughout the course of their lives.

I’m honored to share the story of my dear friend, coach, and elite triathlete @jamiebrowntri!

Jamie has been an amputee for 40 years so he knows the ins and outs of what it takes to get what you need to be an athlete with a disability: self-advocacy, friends in high places, and an unending drive to succeed to name a few.

There are a number of pivotal moments in Jamie’s athletic trajectory to becoming one of the top Paratriathletes in the world. What they have in common is this: access to the prosthetic technology and medical care he needed to chase his athletic potential. “A lot of things had to go right for me to compete at that level,” he said. Unfortunately, in our healthcare system today, it’s very rare when things go right, especially for the disability community.

But sport, physical activity, and exercise shouldn’t just be reserved on the top shelf for elite athletes. That’s why Jamie is committed to coaching the next generation and advocating for a higher standard of care for disabled athletes with #ForrestStump. It starts with re-building, brick by brick, a healthcare system that will acknowledge and treat bodies like ours at an equal level to other bodies.

This is what #WeJustFeltLikeRunning is all about and we need your help. Sign our petition, register for our virtual race, and let’s fight for our right to exercise! Congress must hear this message and we need your help to get it there.

Jamie’s full story can be read in our bio, written by the amazing @kylie.verkuilen. Links to take part in this campaign in our bio! Sign up before race day, October 3rd!

#ourrighttoexercise #runforreststump #teamcaf #lifewithoutlimitations #amputee #athlete #teamusa #advocacy #prosthetics #runningblade #access #iamadaptive #runner #running #triathlon #triathlete #swim #bike #run #movement #healthylifestyle #inspiration #virtualrace #runnersofinstagram #disability #disabilityadvocacy #tokyo2020

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