HARK!
I hear…an inspiring entertainer…
Some people might call him "challenged"; he considers himself "blessed."
And what better way to pay homage to the help and nurturing you receive--than to pass it on to others in need?
From Mike Bolland, who bills himself as “the one-handed comic”:
“I wanted to pass along something that I’ve been working on for a while – and something that I will be having an event for. I started a nonprofit to help people afford prosthetics called the Joe & Marie Bolland’s Helping Hands organization. It’s named in my parents’ honor, who, to say the least, helped me quite a bit!”
Bolland launches the new group with–of course–a comedy show at JP’s Comedy Club July 20. For tickets, click here.
Bolland is the headliner and says he has “invited a group of talented comedians to make this a night worth remembering! Nothing will be held back to make sure you laugh the entire evening.”
Technically, Bolland has a disability, as he was born without a right hand–but he is far from “disabled.”
Indeed, though a late starter in comedy, he has had a career most local comics would envy.
At age 8, he had a supporting role as Danny in The Trial of Billy Jack. Later, he became the first person born without a hand to compete on the Professional Bowlers Tour and still holds his PBA card.
Probably the most impressive thing about his life, in my view, is that he was also a professional tire changer, working at Big O Tires.
After surviving cancer in 2016, Bolland decided to make good on a “bucket list” promise to himself and try comedy.
He now does an average of two shows a week, performing all over Arizona and throughout the Southwest.
Check out videos of Bolland explaining “How I do Things with One Hand,” doing everything from playing golf to acting like a paper towel dispenser here.
In June of 2021, Bolland was one of the first HARK Valley features. Read the HV profile here.
He’s one of the funniest entertainers around Phoenix, but there’s a serious side to his story, as he reaches out to help those in need.
“My parents provided everything I needed as someone who was born a congenital amputee, including prosthetics from a very early age,” he said. “Having access to everything needed for my situation was never an issue for me, and that is 100% because of them.
“To be able to help others attain the prosthetics they need is now my mission. I’m honored to establish this organization named after my parents.”
Unfortunately for many amputees, associated costs for prosthetics are a very difficult hurdle to overcome. According to The Amputee Coalition, 2.1 million Americans live with limb loss and 185,000 people have an amputation every year.
“Our goal is to help make prosthetics attainable to those in need, and in turn, helping them lead a full life.”
About the Show
When: July 20th, 2022 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: JP’S Comedy Club, 860 E Warner Rd Gilbert, AZ 85296 USA
Tickets: $15. Tickets available online.
Proceeds after cost go to support the Joe & Marie Bolland’s Helping Hands organization.