Schoolboy gets ‘ robot arm’ and can now open his presents without any assistance
Loved ones rallied around to help family raise £ 23,000 in less than two weeks
ASCHOOLBOY has gotten a ‘ robot arm’ which will allow him to open his Chri stmas present s by himself for the first time in years.
Tomek Ciechomski suffers from a rare genetic disorder, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which gradually causes his muscles to weaken meaning he needs around- the- clock support.
Now the 15- year- old, from Cumbernauld, has regained some of his independence after getting a robotic Salvum arm support fitted to his wheelchair.
The new freedom means he can now brush his teeth, drink, eat and put his hand up in class all on his own. His mum Anna Ciechomska, a 51- yearold NHS worker, told the Glasgow Times: “It’s fantastic and just a b s o l u t e l y wonderful to see Tomek using his new arm support.
“It has rem a r k a b l y improved his independence which is great to see, he can do so much on his own now.
“Tomek doesn’t need support like before, now he can feed himself and brush his teeth alone. “We can even leave him for a few hours on his own at home now but before we had to constantly be with him.
“He will open his own Christmas presents without any problems this year, before we had to help him.
“I feel really relieved to see him happy and being independent, he’s more secure now.” We previously reported how the St Aloysius pupil was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder at two years old after his parents noticed him struggling with his mobility.
The condition grew worse over the years and in March 2020 sadly Tomek lost the ability to walk, and he now relies on a wheelchair.
Anna had planned for the family to save up for the arm themselves but were stunned after loved ones rallied around to help them raise around £ 23,000 in just 10 days.
This allowed them to buy Tomek the device from Rahana Life much sooner to give him more freedom.
The arm can be controlled by an app or buttons and will attach to Tomek’s wheelchair and arm giving him better mobility.
Anna said: “It is very expen
sive, and his arm is only a fraction of the cost as he needs hoists, ramps and other special equipment.
“I am so grateful to see how generous everyone has been and knowing it was to make my own so happy was amazing.
“The speed in which we managed to raise money really took my breath away, I was so moved by it.
“It will allow him to be more independent and happier, he has plans to go to university and do something with his life so the donations people have made will help him achieve that.
“He is thinking about studying engineering and physics but loves talking to people so might do something with that.”