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Loudon Co. students receive 3-D printed prosthetic hands

"It's a pretty simple design but it's able to have a big impact on people's lives," Carter said about the 3D-printed prosthetic hands.

A quick pass to Macy Presley leads to another basket for the Philadelphia Middle School Lady Warriors.

Macy is in the fifth grade and according to her parents and her team, she doesn't quit.

"She don't have no limits. Nothing slows her down now," said her father Dewayne Presley.

Many people don't even notice that she plays the sport with only one hand. That is until this week when she was gifted a 3-D printed prosthetic hand.

Cole Carter, a first-year osteopathic medical student at Lincoln Memorial University and local prosthetic professional Janice Reese at Assistive Technology for Kids (AT4K) met Macey on Monday to gift her with her new hand.

Cole Carter fits Macey Presley with her new 3-D printed prosthetic hand. Dec. 11, 2017.

"To actually see their face light up when the see the device, it's really exciting," Carter said.

Carter has been researching and designing prosthetic hands for children in East Tennessee at no charge.

"It's a pretty simple design but it's able to have a big impact on people's lives," Carter said. "The beauty of these devices is that they are relatively efficient to make. Eight hours in a 3-D printer and eight or so hours on the assembly bench so the idea is that when a kid grows out of it, you press a button to scale it up, 10, 20, 30 percent and then you have a new device ready to go in a week or so."

Cole Carter

Macy's father said her new hand will open doors for her to try new things.

"It will give her other opportunities to be able to do stuff she hasn't been able to do," he said.

Macy was not the only student given this opportunity.

Second-grader Christopher Olvera at Loudon Elementary School also got the chance to try on his new prosthetic hand on Monday.

Second-grader Christopher Olvera tries on his new 3-D printed prosthetic hand. Dec. 11, 2017.

He immediately started to pick up items like a glue stick and a water bottle.

It's no doubt these prosthetics will enhance their daily lives and it's a gift that will keep on giving as Christopher and Macy grow up.

LMU is looking for more children who need a prosthetic to participate in their program.

For more information, click here.

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