A 10-year-old boy’s dream came true just in time for Christmas when he was given a bionic arm.
Harry Jones, from Leyland, Lancashire, who was born without his right arm below the elbow, had always dreamed of having a robotic arm so he could do two-handed activities such as cycling or go-karting with his friends.
This week his ambitions became a reality after he received an Iron Man-style “hero arm” developed by Open Bionics, which can mimic real hand movements.
The hand has a freeze mode that allows her to hold things and take out the Christmas cracker for the first time.
Harry is one of the first non-military veterans in the UK to be given a life-changing bionic arm by the NHS. The health service provided them to citizens last year.
His grandmother Susan Higham said he was “sparkling” after the fitting and “couldn’t wait to show everyone off.”
She added: “It’s amazing that this technology is now available to everyone who needs it.”
Harry had tried other prosthetic options in the past, but found that they never suited him. He said: “I had one arm with a strap on my shoulder, but I was riding a bike. I even had to lean forward, which was uncomfortable.
“And another prosthetic arm that barely opens or closes, which I don’t use.”
“I can do a lot with the hero’s hand. I also like the design. It has a freeze mode, so when I grab things, it locks them so I don’t drop them.”
Last November, bionic hands became available to all amputees, which can imitate real hand movements.
The implants are controlled by electrical signals from the brain and have multi-grip capabilities, allowing users to perform movements that make everyday tasks easier.
The NHS has made life-changing technology available to every patient across England who needs it.
Under the new guidelines, people who have used Hero Arms for 12 months will be eligible for an NHS trial of the technology. If they pass the test, they can keep the hand for life.
Samantha Payne, co-founder of Open Bionics, said: “Our community has been campaigning for almost a decade for the NHS to update its guidelines. “So it’s very important to see Harry become the first citizen to receive a hero’s hand as part of the NHS.” “
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.