FATHOM was introduced to a 4-year-old girl from California who needed a unique prosthetic hand through e-NABLE, an organization that connects children in need of prosthetic hands with volunteers willing to 3D print a prosthetic free of charge to the recipient. Although the online community has a set of designs that are ready for production by any volunteer with a 3D printer, Isabella needed a unique design of her own.
Born with a shortened forearm and an underdeveloped hand, activities that come easily to other children are more difficult for four-year-old Isabella to perform on her own. Through the online e-NABLE community, FATHOM met with Isabella’s family to extend this soon-to-be kindergartener’s capabilities.
“These 3D printed prosthetics have an undeniable impact on the lives of children and their families,” said FATHOM Principal and Co-Founder Michelle Mihevc. “Children are very self-conscious about being different than their peers. The 3D printed prosthetics don’t just give them mobility, they’re also cool and something they can be proud to show off. I think this is the best part about it.”
After just two visits to FATHOM’s Oakland Production Center, Isabella and her family were able to take home a fully functional, custom prosthetic hand that the preschooler was excited to wear and use.
FATHOM will continue working with the e-NABLE community and will soon be enlisting resources from local universities through a collective partnership or internship that will be dedicated specifically to e-NABLE projects.
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