Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Wrappy Xmas
Hollie, 11, can now open her presents with bionic arm
A YOUNGSTER will open her Christmas presents for the first time tomorrow using her new bionic “Iron Man” arm.
Hollie Lownds, 11, who was born without a right hand, has also been able to help her dad wrap gifts for their family and friends.
Proud Hollie said: “It’s the missing piece of me and now I’ve finally got it.
“It will mean so much to open my presents this year because when I was younger it was always tough.
“Getting the wrapping off was always a struggle and my family used to have to make the wrapping a bit loose so I could get it off.”
Dad Steve, 34, said: “This Christmas will be very special for her. All she’s been able to normally do previously is use her right elbow down to pin the box down and rip it open with her left hand.
“Finally, she’ll be able to open her presents properly.”
Hollie, from Stoke-on-trent, Staffs, was given the arm, made by Bristol-based tech company Open Bionics, in September after an anonymous donor covered the £10,000 cost.
She has spent the past three months learning to use her muscles to operate the hand.
Steve, who calls it her “hero arm”, said: “She was a bit teary eyed when she first got it.
“It was an amazing moment – it’s made her complete. It’ll give her a lot more independence.”
The bionic arm means Hollie can use a knife and fork to eat a meal, play with a skipping rope and tie her shoelaces.
The family are trying to raise £8,000 to buy the warranty for the arm, which will need refitting as Hollie grows.
Her dad added: “She’s very proud of her hand. It completes her and it’s just so wonderful to see Hollie come into herself and flourish.”