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 Lucas Abraham, who has wanted a working right hand since he was 2
years old, showed off the new prosthetic made by University of
Louisville bioengineering students.
"It's better than every gift that I've ever had before," Lucas told
a news conference at the university on Wednesday.
Gina Bertocci, a University of Louisville bioengineering professor,
said Lucas' hand was the first created by the school for a child and
that more could be produced. The university described it as
"bionic."
The printer technology greatly reduces the manufacturing cost and
the plastics used are similar to those in Lego blocks, allowing the
devices to be produced in various colors, Bertocci said.
 Children like it because it makes them look like a Transformer, she
added, saying: "Everyone wants to show off their hardware."
The students received assistance from e-NABLE, a global volunteer
group that designs and prints prosthetics.
Three hands composed of plastic, leather and wire were made to fit
Lucas. He will keep two and the university will retain the third for
accreditation purposes, the school said.
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Within minutes of receiving his new hand last week, Lucas was able
to grasp a ball. He wore the hand to school and was able to shake
hands and give his classmates high fives. It also will let him crash
cymbals together in music class, Lucas said.
Lucas' grandmother Julie Abraham said he had shown more confidence
in himself since receiving the hand. Abraham had written to the
university in August asking if it could do something for him.
"It's a pretty good Christmas gift," she said.
(Reporting by Steve Bittenbender; Editing by David Bailey and Peter
Cooney)
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