I can open my Christmas presents for the first time with my new bionic hand, says eight-year-old girl
A GIRL born without a left hand will be able to open her Christmas gifts for the first time this year — thanks to a bionic one.
Eight-year-old Alexia Cliffe has never experienced the thrill of ripping open wrapping paper on presents left under the family tree.
But the electronic prosthesis fitted last month — her first one that can grip — means her Christmas wish has finally come true.
Mum Angela, 40, said: “Her new bionic hand is amazing.
She can open and close the grip on it, which gives her the full use of a hand.
“She can’t stop picking things up all over the house. She’s absolutely thrilled by it.
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“And she can’t wait to open her presents on Christmas Day.
“She’ll be able to rip them open for the first time in her life.”
Until now, Alexia has got by using her elbow joint — even managing to squeeze a tube of toothpaste.
She has had several prosthetic arms but none with a grip.
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Single Angela, also mum to Logan, five, said: “She’s always been so independent and does manage but there are things she just couldn’t do and that’s been very frustrating for her.
“I’ve always had to cut up her food for her.”
Finally Angela, of Middlesbrough, turned to Open Bionics, a Bristol-based company which develops 3D-printed bionic arms.
She applied for funding towards the £11,000 cost of the prosthetic while the family also did their own fundraising.
Alexia was fitted with a Hero arm, which uses the muscle cues of the rest of the arm to give the grip function.
The Frozen fan even had it designed to match Elsa’s dress.
It has allowed her to do things, such as brushing her hair and putting on shoes, that others take for granted — and even to hold her ukulele properly.
But Angela said: “The best thing is going to see her on Christmas morning, opening her presents.”