Malakai Johnson has had limited function of his right hand ever since he was born, and thanks to Texas Tech University, he was given a second chance at using that hand.
The Texas Tech Library has had a 3D printer for almost three years, made avaliable to students just like pre-med student, SivaTeja Pati.
In May of 2018, Pati said he used the printer and created a his first prosthetic hand for a patient to use.
“Malakai’s family found the story about Toby’s hand and because of that they reached out to us,” Pati said. “We brought them in and we determined whether or not he was a good fit for this device.”
After he was selected as a candidate, Pati said it took about four months for the hand to be completed.
“The first time he picks something up, the smile on his face put a smile on mine and I was estatic to say the least,” Pati said.
Audrey Dominguez, Malakai’s mom, said she tried not to get her hopes up when Malakai was selected, because she has tried for nearly ten years to get him a prosthetic.
“We’re very thankful to Tech that they would even try and take something like this on, not just for my son but all the future people they’re going to help,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez said she is most excited for her son to be able to dribble a basketball with two hands, and catch a football.
“We’re very thankful to Tech and to all the people out here who’ve helped us,” Dominguez said. “I know there was a big team of people who got together to do it and i’m thankful that he’s got the heart for it because there are people out there just like us who are just so grateful.”
Johnson said he got to help design the hand, and wanted it to reflect not only his favorite superhero, Flash, but his favorite football team as well, the Kansas City Chiefs.
“When my friends saw it they were trying to fist bump me,” Johnson said. “They loved it, they were excited for me.”
As for the future, Pati said he hopes this to be a lifelong partnership.
“We want to be able to help children as they hit growthspurts and be able to provide a low cost prosthetic so that they can grow and have a device that they can continuously use throughout their life,” Pati said.