The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fife gran first in UK to have bionic hand fitted
AFife gran who lost her limbs after getting sepsis from a paper cut has become the first NHS patient in Britain to be given a life-changing bionic hand – and can’t wait to eat a burger with it.
Marguerite Henderson, from Crosshill, has celebrated another milestone in her incredible recovery by receiving a high-tech “Michelangelo” hand which will give her a new lease of life.
The 57-year-old lost both legs and her left arm to sepsis three years ago, and her right hand was partially saved.
But the pioneering new prosthetic was fitted last month and has already given her vastly more independence.
Fo r the last y e a r, Marguerite has been under the care of specialist prosthetic staff at the
WESTMARC centre on the Queen Elizabeth University Ho s p i t a l Campus in Glasgow.
Marguerite said: “I’ve only had it a few weeks, but already it’s helping me to be more independent.
“It will mean very simple things like cutting my own food, eating d i ff e r e n t things, feeling comfortable about eating out – I can’t wait to eat a burger, which of course you need two hands for.”
Marguerite has made remarkable progress since her near- fatal illness in February 2018.
After sepsis ripped through her body in a matter of days she had to have both legs and her left arm amputated.
The right hand was partially saved and she has amazed everyone with how much she has been able to continue to use it.
Incredibly, she went on to tell her inspirational story by writing a book, Sepsis: Raw And Real, which was published last summer and was typed by Marguerite herself using her remaining thumb in 20-minute stints at her laptop.
She said: “I am so glad the surgeon was able to save part of my hand. I can use it to type, sew, phone people and do my own hair, use my wheelchair and lots more.
“It’s not the life I would have chosen but I owe my life to the NHS.
“My new left hand will make me so much more independent. It just opens up so many things for me now. I am very lucky.”
Marguerite’s new hightech hand works by her firing different muscles in her forearm to trigger the hand to do different movements.
Senior prosthetist
Vincent Maceachen explained: “Marguerite was a natural – it normally t a k e s m a ny weeks to get used to a new hand, but you can normally tell within five minutes if someone is a good prospect.
“The Michelangelo hand is quite intuitive.
“There are two sensors in the socket on Marguerite’s arm – basically one to open and one to close.
“How strong ly Ma r g u e r i t e flexes her muscles determines the speed and the movement the hand makes.
“With practice she can produce several movements – open, close, rotate the wrist left and right and position the thumb for different grasps.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Ma rguerite who has been motivated to try new treatments and put in the practice required. I wish her future.”
The hand was fitted over Zoom.
Alan Gordon and Alistair Ward, from the hand’s manufacturer Ottobock, watched Ma r g u e r i t e ’ s responses remotely, then relayed instructions about the adjustments to make.
They repeated this process until the hand was working perfectly.
Marguerite said: “Everyone at WESTMARC has been amazing.
“From the smile at the front door to the time that staff spend making sure you are happy, each and every one of them is special.
“I am treated like a person with feelings and hopes – 100% of the time it’s for my benefit.
“I feel so privileged to be given this amazing hand and every day it’s helping me do more and more.” all the best in