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SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – A group of high school students in Sandy Springs made a prosthetic hand for a fellow teenager.
College freshman Alex Linkous has gotten to know the students in Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School’s technology, engineering and design class very well.
Linkous was born with only part of his hand.
“I was born with something called Poland Syndrome,” said Linkous. “Basically, my hand got caught in the bands that line my mom’s womb.”
Until now, he has made due.
“I was really self conscious about it up until a few years ago,” Linkous said.
But with the help of a 3D printer, he is finally getting a hand.
“I think it’s going to give me a sense of belonging kind of — acceptance and being like the other kids,” he said.
Linkous tried on three different models — all were functioning, none were just right.
Alex is excited about the imperfect addition to his life.
“I’m excited to tie my shoes, to see how it’s different,” Linkous said.
The class has convinced Brandon Snow to be a mechanical engineer. But the making of a hand has changed these kids’ hearts.
“What we’re hoping is to build a sense of empathy with students” said teacher TJ Edwards. “It’s one thing to do a project, but once you really empathize with the real user and have real deadline and realize you’re making a real impact in the community, I think the learning goes much deeper.”
