3D Printing for Medicine, Blog
Lakewood Native, Faith Lennox Tugs Heartstrings with New 3D Printed Hand.
Mar
Hand it to Faith
Seven-year old, Faith Lennox was born with a physical anomaly called compartment syndrome caused by an injury that she sustained during her birth. In Faith’s case the injury was so severe that doctors were forced to amputate her limb when she was just 6 months old. As many parents will attest, raising children is an expensive endeavor. This is especially true for parents raising children with special needs. The cost of traditional adaptive equipment such as the high-end robotic model shown here can easily exceed $30k per unit. If that price tag already sounds cost-prohibitive, consider that many children Faith’s age are required to replace their prosthesis every 1 to 2 years. That’s according to Douglas G. Smith M.D. in Limb Loss in Children: Prosthetic Issues. The main reason is simple: children grow…and they grow fast!
Faith’s parents, Greg and Nicole Lennox struggled to find the most affordable short term prosthesis for their daughter. They needed a device that would be functional, affordable, comfortable, and most importantly, that Faith would enjoy wearing. The tripartite cooperation of E-Nable, BUILD IT Workspace, and Airwolf 3D provided just such a product to the Lennox family for about $50 USD!
Faith’s New 3D Printed Hand
Thanks to the simple, modular design of Faith’s new 3d printed hand she can modify, repair, and replace the unit with minimal time, cost, and effort. Watch Faith trying on her brand new purple, pink, and blue 3d printed hand for the first time here at KTLA. Airwolf 3D would like to extend thanks to the E-Nable community who selflessly provide children with affordable adaptive equipment like the prosthetic hand shown here; and to Mark Lengsfeld and Carina King of BUILD IT Workshop who organized the event and work diligently to provide a maker space for children and adults alike. And a special thanks to Faith and the rest of the Lennox family who allowed us to be a part of such a special moment in your lives.
#handittofaith, #enable, #builditworkspace
About Build It Workspace
Build It Workspace is an open workspace and learning center where anyone can learn and use traditional and advance computer controlled tools to turn ideas into products. Located in Los Alamitos, Build It Workspace offers affordable access to equipments, software, and resources that are not typically affordable by individuals. You can find Airwolf 3D printers available to use at the Build It Workspace. If you would like to learn more about Build It Workpace, please click here: Build It Workspace.
About E-Nable
E-Nable is dedicated to following the growth of the e-NABLE community and the “3d Mechanical Hand – Maker Movement” that was inspired by two strangers (a prop maker from the USA and a carpenter from South Africa) that came together from 10,000 miles apart – to create a prosthetic hand device for a small child in South Africa …and then gave the plans away – for free…so that those in need of the 3d printed hand could make them for themselves or have someone make it for them. If you would like to support the e-Nable community, please click here: Support e-Nable.
About Airwolf 3D
Airwolf 3D is committed to designing and manufacturing high-performance consumables, accessories and 3D printers that are fast, affordable, durable and easy to use. All Airwolf 3D printers are made in America, manufactured in the company’s 12,000 sq. ft. facility in Costa Mesa, Calif. Airwolf 3D printers can be found in Fortune 500 companies, engineering firms, government agencies and schools worldwide. For more information visit www.airwolf3d.com, telephone (949) 478-2933, email info@airwolf3d.com, or visit the company’s showroom at 130 McCormick, Suite 105, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 for a free demonstration.