I built son’s arm with a 3D printer I got on eBay
Dad’s joy as robotic limb gives Jamie, 10, a new lease of life
A BOY born without a left hand had his life transformed after his dad built him a new one with a 3D printer.
Jamie Miller, 10, can now hold things and throw and catch a ball.
Dad Callum made the hand with a printer he bought on eBay for £160. The 51-year-old said: “Just seeing my boy being able to hold things and throw a ball with his left hand was emotional. Now he can grab life with both hands.”
Jamie, who has a sister, Molly, 14, said: “I think my new hand is really cool and I like using it a lot. I feel a bit of a superhero.
“I would like to learn how to make them like my dad so I can help other people.”
The youngster had learned to cope with his disability but Callum, of Stockton, County Durham, started looking at alternatives online. He found the Team UnLimbited charity, who use 3D printers to build robotic limbs.
But they had an 18-month waiting list so he decided to have a go himself.
He downloaded the designs from the charity’s website and after the success of his first effort, he made two more that have leads attached to the elbow. Callum is saving to build one that uses sensors.
Jamie’s mum Suzanne Chester, 36, who is separated from his dad, was delighted with the limb. Callum said: “She messaged to say, ‘This is amazing.’”
Team UnLimbited said: “Stories like Callum’s are why we do this.”