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 the Biomechatronics Development Laboratory at the University of Colorado. Along with Dr. Sliker, Professors Richard Weir, Jacob Segil and Stephen Huddle, the Point Designs team continues to advance the field of partial hand prosthetic design with expertise in additive manufacturing, mechanical design, and clinical care. They are dedicated and passionate individuals working together to improve the lives of the people they serve.
This is a special episode, as I have had three users of Point Design devices on this podcast in prior episodes (links below). Having an opportunity to talk with Dr. Sliker after speaking to people who use Point Designs product was a treat. He has a passion to help others, and he and his company is doing just that by making a difference for those who have lost parts of their hand.
Links:
Point Design Website: https://www.pointdesignsllc.com
Point Design FAQs : https://www.pointdesignsllc.com/about/faq
End user get together: https://www.pointdesignsllc.com/end-user-get-together
We’re not Stumped episode with Point Designs user Jeff Soelberg (Season 1, Episode 2): https://youtu.be/83eYQPvGO3M
We’re not Stumped episode with Point Designs user Angie Coe (Season 1, Episode 6): https://youtu.be/s83rfCPMkNg
We’re not Stumped episode with Point Designs user Rachel Grow (Season 2, Episode 1): https://youtu.be/rMZqYQtLrMk
#prosthetic #amputee #prosthetics #amputeelife #prostheticleg #prosthesis #amplife #amputeemodel #amputeestrong #amputation #adaptiveathlete #limblos #disability #disabled #amputees #abovekneeampute #prostheticmakeup #sfx #protesis #adaptive #paralympics #specialeffectsmakeup #amputeewoman #prostheticcover #prothese #amputeefinger #fingeramputee
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
What does it truly mean to be seen as fully human in a world that often overlooks disability? In this thought-provoking episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes back Dr. Stephanie W. Cawthon—an acclaimed deaf author, speaker, and researcher—for an honest and insightful conversation about identity, accessibility, and belonging. With ASL interpreters Amanda Ford and Steven Nugent joining, Dr. Cawthon shares the personal and cultural impact of her book Disability is Human, a work that has deeply influenced Mike’s own journey.
What’s the difference between being born with a limb difference and losing a limb later in life? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland (born without a right hand) breaks down the emotional, physical, and social differences between congenital limb loss and adult amputation—two very different starting points that often lead to the same powerful resilience. Mike shares personal experiences, insights from recent guest interviews like Stevia Walker (who became an amputee in 2023), and stories from others who’ve learned to adapt and thrive no matter how their journey began. Whether you’ve lived with a limb difference your whole life, recently became an amputee, or support someone who has—this episode is for you.
What does it mean to truly be heard when you can’t speak? Jessica Frew, a nonverbal actress, model, and passionate disability advocate, joins We’re Not Stumped to share her powerful story of living with cerebral palsy and using an eye gaze device to communicate—a technology she began using at just nine years old. While Jess initially limited the device to school and close friends, she opens up about the emotional weight of using it publicly and the deeply personal regret of not speaking to her father through it before he passed away. Over time, Jess found strength in her voice and now uses it to educate, advocate, and challenge misconceptions about nonverbal individuals. She speaks with host Mike Bolland about the common experience of being talked down to or ignored—and how she responds with patience, courage, and relentless advocacy.
Leave A Comment