Boy who lost his limbs as a toddler gets new bionic arm

By Tom Bevan

A boy who lost four limbs to meningitis has been fitted with a new bionic arm — to help him start secondary school.

Fin Lawlor, 11, had legs and arms amputated due to meningococcal septicemia when he was just 2.

The youngster from Hereford wanted to be able to perform basic tasks such as using a ruler and carrying a bag to school.

And this week he was fitted with one of the most advanced bionic arms in the world, a Hero PRO from U.K. bionics company Open Bionics, just days before starting secondary school for the first time.

Immediately after trying out the arm for the first time, he said: "I've picked up a bottle and opened it and was able to pick up a pen.

"I could also pick up and unlock my phone. It feels amazing. I just wanted it to help me out and make my life easier."

Within the hour of being fitted, Fin had put his new bionic arm to the test. "When I was fitted, I was amazed at the design, it looks so cool.

"After the fitting, I practiced writing using the key thumb mode, and was able to use a ruler and draw a straight line on paper.

"I also carried a backpack, grabbed fruit, but had to adjust the sensitivity on the grip as it crushed a honeycomb square."

Fin hasn't worn an upper-limb prosthesis before. On his left side, where the amputation is at his wrist, he has a partial palm and thumb and already manages well day-to-day.

His right side, amputated closer to his elbow, has less function, and it's this side Fin wanted a Hero PRO to support him at school.

Fin is starting secondary school this September with his old classmates, and is especially looking forward to art and design technology lessons.

He's hoping the Hero PRO will help support his left hand with two-handed tasks, like holding a piece of wood steady while using a file, or holding a paintbrush.

Fin was 2 years old when what looked like a cold or flu turned critical fast.

His mom Sarah Bonner said he had become "a little floppy," with a few pimple-like spots on his shoulder.

Once at hospital, his condition declined dramatically over the next three hours, until doctors made the decision to place him in an induced coma to stop the infection spreading.

After two weeks in hospital, surgeons amputated his arms and both legs below the knee.

Fin has since had 10 operations in total, including having pins inserted into his leg bones.

Sarah said it was extremely hard watching her son try and adjust.

She added: "It was heartbreaking after the amputations to see such an active toddler try to get up and run around, but not being able to.

"Even though Fin was only two years old, after the amputations he refused to let me put black socks on his legs.

"I think the color triggered the memory of waiting for the amputations."

"We made it our mission to get him leg prosthetics that will keep up with his energy and resilience.

"Today he loves kung fu, football, and swimming.

"The next chapter is helping him get back to riding his bike more confidently, and trying out tennis and ping pong, which is where I think the Hero PRO will really help him build that confidence." commented mom.

The family only needed three appointments to get Fin's bionic arm made.

Sarah added: "It all happened much faster than we expected, from finding out about the Hero PRO, to a check socket appointment in June, we didn't think it would be ready before school, but the clinical team worked so hard to make it happen for Fin."

Fin's Hero PRO was custom-built to his shape and individual requirements. It uses myoelectric sensors that detect muscle movements and convert them into intuitive, proportional bionic hand movements.

The arm is also water-resistant and wireless, a step-up in function and comfort from more traditional prosthetic options.

Samantha Payne MBE, co-founder of Open Bionics, said: "Starting secondary school is such a big moment for any child, and it means so much to know Fin is walking into it with more independence and confidence with his new bionic arm.

"We wish Fin the very best luck at his new school."