In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Dr. Christopher Duncan, Chief Medical Officer at Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS), for a groundbreaking discussion on the future of neurotechnology and prosthetics.
Christopher shares his journey from physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation to leader in neural interface technology, with a passion for restoring function and independence for individuals with limb loss. Together, Mike and Christopher dive into:
- The intersection of advanced materials, neurophysiology, and machine learning in prosthetic development
- Why current prosthetic options are like “Civil War technology” compared to what’s possible today
- BIOS’s three-pillar approach to advancing prosthetic innovation
- Patient success stories, including a veteran and a surgeon regaining life-changing abilities with robotic prosthetics
- The role of registries in supporting early adopters and ensuring equitable access across regions
- Privacy and legal concerns around brain-computer interfaces and nerve technology
- The importance of partnerships among research labs, hospitals, and government agencies
- Future applications in lower extremities, diabetes, vascular disease, and even paralysis cases
This episode highlights not just the technology, but the human impact of returning people to full employment, independence, and life satisfaction.
Bios Website: https://www.biologicinputoutputsystems.com/
Mike Bolland Motivational Speaker Website
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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.
