We've had some exciting things happening amidst all of the chaos. The first and most exciting thing is the opportunity to get Addy a 3D printed hand! I started this process while we were still in Chicago, where a local high school had volunteered to help us create a special hand for our girl. Obviously when we found out we were heading back to Ohio for the husband's new job opportunity, those plans were put on hold and I was left wondering if we would be able to find someone in the area to continue the process with.
Here's where the story gets really good. I called my old high school, the one I graduated from almost ten years ago. I was instantly nervous as the office secretary answered the phone, but I managed to string together a few words in the form of a question. She asked if she could put me on hold for a minute while she checked on something. She came back to the line a few minutes later and said she was going to put me through to the shop teacher, Mr. Daniels. I giggled, explaining that he was the shop teacher when I was in school all those years ago.
Moments later, I was speaking with Mr. Daniels, pouring my heart out to a man I wasn't entirely sure remembered me. "What was your last name again?" When I reminded him of my maiden name...something clicked, and he laughed. Now that he remembered me, he wanted more information. I told him about my girl, her shocking arrival, and the newest technology that could give her an amazing and unique tool to explore her world with two hands. There was a long pause, I could feel him processing everything. And then he said this: "We've been waiting for an opportunity like this to come around. We would love to do this for you...I'm really excited!" With my heart pounding and tears in the verge of exploding, I let him know the timeframe of when we would be moved back, and we made plans for us to go in and have the group of students who would be working on this project meet Addy.
Last week, that meeting happened. I was giddy, and hoping that we would leave knowing whether or not they were going to take this project on or not. To my surprise, Mr. Daniels had already ordered many of the parts needed to begin the process. He had already began helping Addy. We were doing this, and I was over the moon.
The students trickled into the classroom, settled into their seats. Mr. Daniels introduced Addy and I, explaining that their new project was going to be building Addy a hand with their 3D printer. I could tell there were a few students who were excited, they asked questions, wanting to know more about Addy, her abilities, why we were pursuing a 3D printed hand, and what our connection was to the school. Mr. Daniels made it a point to let them know just how many years ago I was a student there, and that although I seemed domesticated promising the students cookies on our next trip, that back in the day...I was a hellion. Talk about embarrassing.
It was a great visit. The students took some measurements, we chatted a little bit longer, and then we left them to begin the planning. I was proud of myself. I talked about Addy, everything we've been through, and managed to do it without crying. I'm sure some of the students aren't that interested, and I know that a few of them are excited, but I hope with all my heart that they know how incredible this is for our daughter. I hope they know that they are working on a project that uses cutting edge technology to do amazing things for my limb different daughter. I hope they know that this project could change her life, or at least give her the opportunity to experience life with two hands, something I can't give her. I'll never be able to thank them enough, but hopefully some baked goodies will give them an idea of how much this means to us.
I want to be very clear. We are not trying to "fix" Addy. She is perfect to us in every way. A prosthetic in any capacity is not a "fix", it's a tool. These tools make it possible for people to walk again, children are able to run the bases and ride a bike, hold a pencil or their child. These 3D printed prosthetics are an amazing way to test drive a prosthetic. Addy has never used one, we made the decision to wait and see how she adapts on her own first before introducing her to any tools that could help her through her life. This is an opportunity for us to see if she enjoys one, will use it, and then determine if we pursue a more technical and expensive prosthetic, or if Addy is happy to continue adapting and navigating the world as she does now, with one hand and a whole lot of determination. People who were never able to afford a prosthetic are able to get one made for them at a minimal cost, and the kindness of volunteers, and that is a truly amazing thing.
Next month is Limb Loss Awareness month, or Limb Difference Awareness month as many of us in the community prefer to call it. Our journey to get Addy a 3D printed hand is just another way for us to celebrate her her limb difference, a chance to educate people about the limb different community, and to show the world how incredibly amazing our Addy is. I will update our readers about the process, and hopefully I will have some pictures to share soon!
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