Amputee lends an affordable hand to other victims
Print Edition
AFTER losing his right forearm in a factory accident, Chang Hsien-Liang tried several artificial limbs but he was never satisfied with the outcome.
The only arms he could afford were too basic while the robotic hand he wanted was too expensive. Undeterred, the 46-year-old engineer from southwest Taiwan decided to design and build his own prosthetic arm using 3D printing technology.
“After getting my own bionic arm, my daily life improved. It became easier to do things like ride a bike and eat a meal,” Chang said.
At the time of his accident in September 2014, Chang worked as a metal engineer at a stamping plant in Tainan city. Chang said he accidentally pressed the wrong button when operating a stamping machine, leaving his right hand so badly injured it had to be amputated.
Two months after the accident, Chang tried two prosthetic arms but was disappointed. He wanted a hand with moveable fingers but could not afford it.
Chang heard about 3D printing technology and acquired a scanner and printer. With no medical training, he watched online videos to learn about fingers and hands.
After many attempts, Chang said he produced an arm with moveable fingers that cost about US$4,000.
“I was very happy and excited, finally my design could be used,” he said.
Now, Chang wants to help others.
He is designing and building a prosthetic hand for Angel Peng, an 8-year-old girl whose hand was crippled in a scalding accident when she was 9 months old. Her mother Peng Ji-han said they heard about Chang at Angel’s clinic.
“She grew up thinking it was normal not to have one hand,” Peng said. “Angel’s eyes widened excitedly as she tried to use an early product of Chang’s 3D printing to pick up a bottle.
“When my hand is done, I will hop on to a bike immediately,” said an excited Angel in anticipation of her new hand.
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