As part of the Prosthetics Hands Project, The Glovers have donated their first Hero Arm to a young teacher. Vikki was born without a right forearm. When she became a teacher she found it very challenging trying to juggle carrying pens, books, worksheets and helping children with only one functioning arm.
Vikki teaches young children Hero Arm should well enable her to help them with the tasks that we take for granted.
Vikki believes that the arm will allow her to demonstrate how one can overcome challenges in life and ensure that children under her care can understand the importance of inclusivity.
Hero Arm is a major step forward in prosthetic technology and is manufactured using 3D printing. It is known as a myoelectric prosthesis. It works when a user intentionally flexes specific muscles in their residual limb, EMG electrodes within the Hero Arm detect tiny electrical signals, allowing them to activate different grips with precise, proportional control.
3D printing has enabled these high tech devices to become considerably more affordable as well as being much lighter than the earlier innovations in prosthetics.
Vikki has now received her Hero Arm. Thanks to Zoom - The Master, Maggie Manwaring, The Clerk and Jonathan Isaacs were able to join her during her fitting. Whilst “on air” Vikki demonstrated its use by retrieving her re-useable coffee cup from her handbag.
Later that day Vikki sent us an email of thanks and in it said “I am so excited to get to try the arm out. I just ate my dinner holding a knife and fork the right way round for the first time ever!”
Hearing such words really makes our efforts so worthwhile. The seeds for this were sown at the Lords Fundraiser in 2018 so a big thank you to all those Glovers and their guests who have made this life changing gift possible.
There are many other people similar to Vikki out there who are not able to afford such a devise. This is where we in the Glovers can play a significant part in improving the lives of people such as Vikki.
Assistant Jonathan Isaacs
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