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
When should a limb be saved—and when might amputation provide a better quality of life? On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland talks with podiatric surgeon Dr. Danny Ghannoum about limb salvage, diabetic foot complications, Charcot neuroarthropathy, bone infections, and the difficult decisions that can lead to lower-limb amputation. Dr. Ghannoum explains how diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, poor circulation, foot ulcers, and osteomyelitis can put a limb at risk. He also shares complex patient cases that illustrate an important point: saving a limb isn't always the same as achieving the best outcome for the patient.
What are you actually allowed to ask someone with a service dog? Do service dogs need paperwork? And what happens when businesses get the rules wrong? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland talks with upper-limb amputee Stevia Walker about service animals, disability, prosthetics, self-advocacy, and life after limb loss. Stevia shares an encounter at a hotel where employees demanded documentation for her service dog and incorrectly assumed the dog was an emotional support animal. She discusses what people and businesses should understand about service animals and why these interactions matter.
What does it take to overcome a challenge you've faced since birth? In this episode of We're Not Stumped, Mike Bolland welcomes Nathan Winston, who was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD), a rare limb difference that led to the amputation of his left leg at the age of four. Nathan shares his incredible journey from adapting to life with a prosthetic to excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. His determination eventually carried him to the Little League World Series and into the ranks of professional baseball. Along the way, Nathan reflects on the challenges he faced, the resilience he developed, and the mindset that helped him keep moving forward—even when the path wasn't easy.




Leave A Comment