Watch the girl who is living with 3D-printed bionic arms
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Tilly Lockey, from County Durham, UK contracted Group B meningococcal septicemia and had both her arms amputated when she was just 15 months old.
Tilly’s mother, Sarah found her unconscious and with dark marks after she was diagnosed with an ear infection. She rushed her to the hospital where doctors diagnosed her with meningitis.
Sarah told Barcroft TV: “This woman came over to me and just said ‘I need you to sit down.’ She was just like ‘I think your daughter is going to die.’ I suddenly felt really light-headed… this can’t happen to her.”
But after spending four days in intensive care, doctors told Sarah and her husband Adam that they would have to have her both her hands amputated.
Sarah said: “As soon as they said they were going to amputate it was a case of, but she’s alive. It’s really unfortunate but as least she’s got a life to remain. I said at the time I’m going to make her life the best life she could possibly ever have.”
In 2016, Tilly received a pair of the 3D-printed bionic arms when she was 13 years old.
Tilly then went on to become an ambassador for Bristol-based tech firm Open Bionics who manufacture The Hero Arm.
She is also modeling and is raising awareness for meningitis.
Tilly told Barcroft TV: “I think if you have a disability you should be proud because you’re unique and you’re not like anybody else. I think social media plays a really big part, I’ve got quite a big following and I’ve been showing everyone how cool my arms can be.”
“It doesn’t bother me when people stare at me because when I had [prosthetic] hands in the past I’d get looks of confusion but that needs to change.”
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Tilly told Barcroft TV: “The sensors are on the inside; whatever I do with my muscles I can control the fingers.point 204 |
If I squeeze my muscles, they’ll close and if I flex, they open.point 54 | I have four different grip modes which make it easier to hold different types of things.point 127 | ”point 134 | 1
Tilly has been living with bionic arms for three years. She is living a normal life and is very happy the way she is.
Tilly is an inspiration for people living with a disability. Her disability doesn’t stop her from living a happy life.