Not all superheroes are on the movie screen – sometimes, they are right next to you.

And they might even have 3D printers.

For one young Marvel fan in England, those everyday superheroes just happened to be local students from Beamont Collegiate Academy.

The parents of 5-year-old Andrew, knew early on in Siobhan Traynor’s pregnancy that their son would be born with a congenital issue. The problem led to his right hand and arm being smaller than his left arm was.

Traynor told the Daily Mail, “He has a thumb and little finger but they are reduced in size. There is nothing else wrong. He’s certainly a normal little boy, he’s interested in everything and likes climbing things.”

The family, she said, had been searching for a group that might be able to help with a prosthetic hand for Andrew, but had no luck. “It’s just day-to-day things that can be difficult, like fastening buttons or zips, holding bottles and unscrewing lids.”

Because he’s right-handed he can’t hold a pen so we have to teach him to be left-handed. He tries his best but now at school it’s more difficult,” she said.

Andrew Traynor reads a Marvel book with help from a new prosthetic arm designed by local students. Photo by the Warrington Guardian

While the family had placed Andrew’s name on multiple charity lists, the wait was long and the family had given up hope of getting a response. Until one day when she got a call from the ‘Fab Lab’. Made up of a group of students and staff from the academy, they said they would help create a 3D arm for the little boy. 

Teacher Chris Hillidge told the Daily Mail, “We want to show that our students can design something that improves the quality of peoples’ lives.”

And the Fab Lab knew just what to make for the tiny Marvel fan – an Iron Man prosthetic. The group 3D printed the arm, and once Andrew had it fitted, the family was beside themselves. Traynor said, “It brought a tear to my eye to see him enjoy using it. He tried to hold my hand. He was really excited to see what he could do.”

Andrew can now read his favorite comic books more easily,  as well as go bowling with friends and family.

Now he has proudly shown all his friends and they think it’s amazing,” said his mom, smiling.

His father, Carl Traynor said, “Over the past year Andrew has been asking when will his hand grow so this 3D arm should give him something positive to look forward to.”

A local charity called ‘Reach’ got in touch with the family. The group helps children with disabilities like Andrew’s. “They have also given us loads of help and support,” Carl said.

“It’s great for Andrew and he loves the fact that he is not the only one who has, in his words, a ‘lucky fin’ like Nemo.’

Source: Daily Mail