Feelings! Feelings! Feelings!
6-year-old Alex Pring was born with a limb deficiency that left him without the lower part of his right arm…
And while he fought for a normal kid’s life of playing sports and climbing outside — he knew the possibilities of him actually doing those things were slim to none.
That is, until the University of Central Florida gifted Alex with a 3D-printed prosthetic limb that’s capable of reading muscle movements from the upper arm for functionality.
…SCIENCE!
UCF engineering doctoral student Albert Manero got in touch with Alex├óΓé¼Γäós family through an online network for 3D fanatics, students and inventors — to create the perfect prosthetic for this youngster.
Before, it was very hard to gather materials small enough for a functioning prototype for someone so little.
But the team was successful in designing and executing, as Manero described in a statement. He revealed that Alex took to the arm immediately, and did something very special when it finally started working:
“He learned pretty fast. The first thing he did when he could actually control it a little bit was hug his mother. He said it was their first real hug. There wasn├óΓé¼Γäót a dry eye in the room.”
Alex’s mother, Alyson Pring, described the embrace, as well:
├óΓé¼┼ôWhen he hugged me with two hands, he just didn├óΓé¼Γäót let go. It was amazing. I think this arm will reinforce our ├óΓé¼╦£you can do anything you set your mind to├óΓé¼Γäó attitude. I think it will help his confidence, so he can see future possibilities and make them seem all the more reachable for him.”
Gah, emotions everywhere!
The affordable $350 child-size prosthetic arm’s blueprint will reportedly be uploaded to the web for open access to anyone with a 3D printer. Yay!
Now all teeny kiddos can get these special prosthetic limbs for feasible prices.
Ch-ch-check out Alex’s excellent progress and the iconic hug (above!)