Ohio boy receives life-changing mechanical hand
A young boy in Ohio has received a life-changing gift. Students and staff at a local college built him a mechanical hand.
Three year old Cameron Haas is full of energy. He was born without his right hand. It's called congenital amputation, but it hasn't slowed him down or dampened his spirit.
His grandmother, Sabrina Haas, is a student at Northwest State Community College in Ohio. She brought the idea of making a mechanical hand for Cameron to the department of science technology, engineering and mathematics.
"I am still taken aback, it shouldn't be this easy but it is," she said.
It took about a month and several prototypes to come up with the final version, then 18 hours on the 3D printer. Many students say the project was life-changing on many levels.
"I thought it would be studying books and have a few projects here and there. I never expected anything like this," said Erika Getzinger.
"It was priceless to see his reaction and to hear what he said when he got it. And to watch him utilize it, it meant the world," said David VanSteenkiste.
"It makes me want to do more, keep going and changing the world," said Brandon Allen.
A world changed by a simple machine and the help of others.
A commercially-made prosthetic hand typically costs about $12,000 dollars. The total cost to make Cameron's was $60 dollarsand it was donated to Cameron's family.
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