Одиннадцатилетний мальчик с ампутацией всех конечностей получил бионическую руку перед поступлением в среднюю школу

Boy, 11, who lost four limbs gets incredible bionic arm in time for secondary school Fin Lawlor was just two-years-old when what appeared to be a cold or flu suddenly turned life-threatening. He later lost all four limbs and has since undergone 10 operations An 11-year-old boy who lost all four limbs after contracting meningitis as a toddler is heading to secondary school with a new bionic arm he hopes will give him greater independence. When Fin Lawlor was just two, meningococcal septicaemia left doctors with no choice but to amputate both his arms and his legs below the knee. Nine years on, the youngster is preparing for his next big milestone alongside his old classmates – and will do so with one of the world’s most advanced bionic arms. Fin, from Hereford, wanted something that could help him with everyday school tasks, from using a ruler and carrying his bag to taking part in lessons. And just days before starting secondary school, he was fitted with a Hero PRO arm made by UK bionics company Open Bionics. And within minutes, Fin was already discovering how much more independence the arm could give him. Immediately after trying out the arm for the first time, he said: “I’ve picked up a bottle and opened it and was able to pick up a pen. I could also pick up and unlock my phone. It feels amazing. I just wanted it to help me out and make my life easier.” It did not take Fin long to get to grips with his new arm, as he tried everything from writing and using a ruler to carrying his school backpack. He said: “When I was fitted, I was amazed at the design, it looks so cool. After the fitting, I practised writing using the key thumb mode, and was able to use a ruler and draw a straight line on paper. “I also carried a backpack, grabbed fruit, but had to adjust the sensitivity on the grip as it crushed a honeycomb square.” Fin had never previously worn an upper-limb prosthesis. His left arm was amputated at the wrist, leaving him with a partial palm and thumb which he already uses well in everyday life. But his right arm was amputated closer to the elbow and has less function, so Fin hoped the new prosthesis could give him extra support as he starts school. It marks another huge step for Fin after his life changed dramatically when he was a toddler. What initially appeared to be a cold or flu rapidly became critical, with mum Sarah Bonner noticing her little boy had become “a little floppy,” and developed several pimple-like spots on his shoulder. His condition deteriorated dramatically in the three hours after arriving at hospital and doctors placed him into an induced coma in a bid to stop the infection spreading. After two weeks in hospital, surgeons amputated both his arms and his legs below the knee. Fin has since undergone 10 operations, including surgery to insert pins into his leg bones. Sarah said watching her previously active toddler come to terms with what had happened was devastating. She added: “It was heartbreaking after the amputations to see such an active toddler try to get up and run around, but not being able to. “Even though Fin was only two years old, after the amputations he refused to let me put black socks on his legs. I think the colour triggered the memory of waiting for the amputations.” But his family were determined to make sure Fin could continue doing the things he loved. Sarah said: “We made it our mission to get him leg prosthetics that will keep up with his energy and resilience. Today he loves kung fu, football, and swimming. “The next chapter is helping him get back to riding his bike more confidently, and trying out tennis and ping pong, which is where I think the Hero PRO will really help him build that confidence.” The process proved surprisingly quick for the family who was initially unsure whether it would be completed in time for his first day at secondary school, but Fin's new arm was fitted after just three appointments Sarah added: “It all happened much faster than we expected, from finding out about the Hero PRO, to a check socket appointment in June, we didn’t think it would be ready before school, but the clinical team worked so hard to make it happen for Fin.” The Hero PRO was custom-built around Fin’s individual shape and needs, using myoelectric sensors to detect muscle movements and translate them into movements of the bionic hand. The wireless arm is also water-resistant and designed to offer greater function and comfort than more traditional prosthetic options. Samantha Payne MBE, Co-founder of Open Bionics, said: “Starting secondary school is such a big moment for any child, and it means so much to know Fin is walking into it with more independence and confidence with his new bionic arm. “We wish Fin the very best luck at his new school.”