In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Chris Baschuk, a trailblazer in upper limb prosthetics and the Director of Clinical Services at Point Designs. Chris also serves on the board of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and is a proud ambassador for What Is POP, an organization working to expand the pipeline of professionals in Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Pedorthics.
Together, Mike and Chris explore the cutting edge of prosthetic innovation—from the rise of 3D printing in clinical care to the need for greater access, education, and advocacy for people with limb loss.
🔧 Chris shares his personal journey—from tinkering with tools as a child to mission work in Brazil that inspired his career in biomedical engineering and prosthetics. He explains how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing prosthetic options for partial hand amputees, and how companies like Point Designs are leading the charge with rugged, functional, and customizable prosthetic components.
💡 Topics include:
- The evolution of multi-articulated prosthetic hands
- Pattern recognition technology in upper limb devices
- Shifting from traditional fabrication to additive manufacturing
- Advocacy to improve reimbursement and coding for partial hand prosthetics
- Chris’s leadership in the Upper Limb Prosthetic Society
- Mentorship and outreach through the POP ambassador program
- What his election to the Academy’s board means for future care
Mike also shares a fun then-vs-now look at prosthetic technology by comparing his vintage 1970s prosthetic hand with today’s advanced solutions.
If you’re passionate about prosthetic innovation, limb difference advocacy, or the future of orthotic and prosthetic education, this episode is a must-listen.
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In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Steven Vine for a raw and deeply honest conversation about survival and rebuilding life after everything changes. Steven shares how an undiagnosed genetic heart condition led to a sudden medical emergency in 2016, leaving him in a six-month coma. When he woke up, he was blind, a right above-knee amputee, living with an ostomy bag, and navigating chronic pain. Once a nationally ranked teenage track and field athlete who idolized Steve Prefontaine, Steven later owned and managed a fine dining Italian restaurant before his life was upended. In this episode, he reflects on depression, anger, opioid use and withdrawal, and the importance of caregiving support. Steven also explains how his journey inspired The Disability Diaries podcast and his upcoming memoir, Beyond These Green Eyes, offering hope through honest storytelling.
Are you thinking about starting your own podcast but not sure where to begin? So many people reach out asking how to get started. And while podcasting isn’t terribly difficult, those first few episodes can feel time-consuming and a bit overwhelming. Here’s an easier way to try it out: 👉 Come guest-host a solo episode of We’re Not Stumped and share your personal story. These are single-person episodes — no guests allowed — giving you the space to speak openly and authentically. Episodes are 10–15 minutes long, making this a simple, low-pressure introduction to podcasting. All you need to do is record on your own device (yes, your phone works great) and tell your story or share insights from your experience. I’ll handle the intro and outro, along with all final edits, to ensure the episode matches the tone and quality of the show.
In this inspiring episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Belma Islamovic, a double above-elbow amputee, community advocate, and proud member of the Dallas Amputee Network. Mike and Belma first met at Empower Fest in Arizona, and today she shares her remarkable story of survival, resilience, and hope. Belma recounts: • Surviving a devastating explosion during the Bosnian War • Her long medical journey from Bosnia to Italy and ultimately to the United States • Adapting to life without prosthetics and mastering daily tasks using her feet • The emotional and mental health struggles she overcame through support and therapy • Her connection with the Dallas Amputee Network and the power of community Belma’s story is a powerful reminder of human strength, compassion, and the importance of support networks for amputees and trauma survivors.
