Oct 17, 2016 | By Alec
That 3D printing can save lives is hardly a secret; just look at conjoined twins Anias and Jadon McDonald, who have just been given a fighting change through 3D printing and 3D scanning platforms. But 3D printing can also help to make the lives of those people who’ve survived medical nightmares a bit more normal. That is exactly what’s happening to the 11-year-old British girl Tilly Lockey, who has begun testing 3D printed prosthetic arms for 3D printed bionic pioneer Open Bionics, after losing both hands to meningitis as a baby. Their latest success is a fantastic arm inspired by the Deus Ex video game, which can even give a thumbs up.
Tilly is actually actively involved in the development of these bionics, by testing them, providing feedback and travelling around the world to raise awareness and funds for 3D printed prostheses. The inspiring girl takes after her mother Sarah, who has been a campaigner and fundraiser for meningitis since 2007 – when Tilly herself nearly died of the disease. Now, almost ten years later, Tilly is determined to work with the world’s best developers to develop the next generation of prosthetic limbs that give these children a chance to live a normal, active life.
This is even more amazing because Tilly was left very disabled after developing Group B meningococcal septicaemia – meningitis – as a baby. As a result, she lost both hands, her toes, and probably will suffer from stunted growth over the coming years. The disease even destroyed her baby teeth, and left her adult teeth severely underdeveloped. Even now, nearly a decade after developing the disease, hospital visits are a very common part of her life.
But even with this situation, her parents Sarah and Adam count themselves as blessed. Back in 2007, there was no vaccination for this deadly form of meningitis, and Tilly very nearly died. While originally a very healthy baby girl, Tilly contracted the disease when she was just 15 months old. Suddenly she started to lose all energy and developing bluey grey mottled spots. “The marks did not disappear and instantly meningitis came into my head,” her mother recalled. “I ran to the telephone and called an ambulance mentioning all the symptoms of rapid breathing, high temperature, not interested in anything and not wanting to be picked up and especially the marks on her skin. I told them that I thought it was meningitis. They were ready for her and they agreed that it looked like meningitis and they gave her a shot of penicillin straight away. Thank God they did that – otherwise ...
SOURCE: 3ders.org ( go on reading...)
