07 March 2023 , 18:20
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A schoolgirl born with no fingers on one hand is set to be the youngest in the UK to be fitted with a bionic arm.
Six-year-old Caitlin Hutson was born with only one fully formed hand due to a rare congenital condition.
Her left hand did not fully develop giving what she calls her “nubbins” instead of fully working fingers.
The condition means she is unable to do up her coat or open an ice cream packet without help.
But now her family are trying to raise £13,000 for a bionic hand that would make her the youngest to receive a “Hero Arm” from UK-based company Open Bionics.
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Dad Terry Hutson, 45, an engineer from Wymondham, Norfolk, said: “Caitlin hides her hand under her sleeve - at her request we don’t adapt any clothing so her sleeve dangles.
“When we’re out people will point. Kids bother her too - they are tolerant but are interested so ask about it.
“Some days she’s happy to talk about it whilst other days she’ll keep it hidden away.
“But when I watched her first test out a bionic hand she lit up. Getting a bionic arm will give her confidence.”
Caitlin was born with no fingers on one hand (Terry Hutson / SWNS)
Vitalii Ivashchuk is one of two wounded Ukrainian soldiers who has also received a robotic arm from Open Bionics (Open Bionics / SWNS)Prosthetics are often only fitted from age eight, but this year Caitlin was deemed eligible for one by Open Bionics, a company which develops low-cost bionics.
Thanks to the muscles in her arm she’s able to use the bioelectric sensors that link to the bionic hand, making it move as a normal hand would.
The thousands the family aim to raise will give Caitlin a bionic arm which can be recast as she grows.
The money will also be used to keep the arm upgraded with the latest updates and modifications so she’ll be able to grab, pinch, high-five, fist bump and more.
Terry, who lives with his wife Maria, 41, said: “As her parents, it breaks our hearts when we see her struggle and we do our best to not just jump in and help her out.
“We are so proud of her perseverance in never giving up trying to do something. We are not exaggerating when we say a Hero Arm will change her life.”
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To donate log on to Caitlin's wish for a Hero Arm, organized by Open Bionics Crowdfunding Support