A quadruple amputee has been able to hold a pint and shoot some pool for the first time in five years — thanks to a new futuristic bionic arm.
Michael White, 55, lost all four limbs due to a rare inflammatory condition, but was able to shoot some pool and take a sip of ice cold beer thanks to his new robotic limb.
He was diagnosed with Behçet’s syndrome and between 2012 and 2017, a condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue and affects just 1,000 people in the UK.
Mr White, from Fleet in Hampshire, was left him in so much pain from his ‘dying’ limbs, which had turned black, that he begged medics to cut off his hands.
He underwent around 30 operations that meant doctors had to amputate both his legs and hands.
Mr White was fitted with cosmetic arms but these did not let him pick up objects, forcing him to pick up objects with his teeth and carry things under his armpit.
But the former gardener can now use his new right arm, which connects to his brain through sensors, to mow the lawn and carry out everyday tasks.
He hopes the upgrade, which he bought for around £10,000 after crowdfunding the cash, will also let him get back to work.
Michael White, 55, lost all four limbs due to a rare inflammatory condition, but was able to shoot some pool and take a sip of ice cold beer thanks to his new robotic limbs
He was diagnosed with Behçet’s syndrome and between 2012 and 2017, a condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue and affects just 1,000 people in the UK
Mr White, from Fleet in Hampshire, was left him in so much pain from his ‘dying’ limbs, which had turned black, that he begged medics to cut off his hands. He underwent around 30 operations that meant doctors had to amputate both his legs and hands
Unlike his other prostheses that have limited functions, the new arm connects the bionic limb directly to his brain so precise sensations can be picked up by the device and create natural movements.
The device uses myoelectric sensors fitted to his muscles that detect underlying muscular contractions generated from specific muscle groups in his arm.
These signals are then amplified and converted into hand movements in the bionic limb.
The custom-built arm was made using 3D printing to better fit his body.
Before amputation, Mr White said his condition left him begging doctors to cut off his hands because ‘any small cut would just make them go black, they were dying and the pain was excruciating’.
Behçet’s disease causes the immune system to become over-active, triggering exaggerated inflammation in the blood vessels and can affect any part of the body.
Most people’s symptoms are painful but not life threatening and can be managed through drugs that suppress the immune system.
It is not clear what causes the condition but experts believe genetics or unidentified external factors.
Mr White said: ‘With my NHS prescribed cosmetic arm, I can’t pick things up. If I go down the pub, now with my bionic arm I will be able to hold a pint.
Celebrating his birthday with a game of pool and holding a cue for the first time in five years was the first thing Mr White did after his new arm was fitted.
He was able to pot balls and use the cue just as he could before he was diagnosed with the life changing condition.
Mr White said: ‘I was looking for something that was functional and that looked cool and to see if it would make my life easier and a little bit less frustrating.
‘I just strive to get back to normality, that’s all I wanted to do and no matter what, that’s what I was determined to do — to get back to some form of normality. To be able to drive, to get back to work.
‘I didn’t want to be sat at home, being waited on hand and foot. I’ve always been an independent person. There’s things that I want to do with my family. I should be able to hold a pool cue.’
While it has been seven years since the amputations, Mr White is still working to get back to some form of normality as he would still like to be able to go fishing, he said.
Mr White added: ‘Before the amputations, I was always an independent person. There are still so many things I really want to do, simple hobbies like going fishing and being able to hold a fishing rod.
‘It’s going to be so great now to be able to hold my phone and still be able to pick something up.
Mr White was fitted with cosmetic arms but these did not let him pick up objects, forcing him to pick up objects with his teeth and carry things under his armpit. But the former gardener can now use his new arm, which connects to his brain through sensors, to mow the lawn and carry out everyday tasks
Mr White was initially fitted with NHS cosmetic arms after he had his limbs amputated but he could not use them to pick up objects. Unlike his other prostheses that have limited functions, the new arm connects the bionic limb directly to his brain so precise sensations can be picked up by the device and create natural movements
‘I’ll be able to do it with two hands rather than trying to put stuff under my armpit or hold it with my teeth.
‘When your an able-bodied person you say “oh, I’ve got to work”. But I really look forward to being able to go to work.
‘Amputees need to help other amputees — there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Persevere and keep a positive mental attitude, be determined, because you can do it. ‘
After a consultation to fit the arm with an upper limb prosthetist at Open Bionics that makes the bionic limb, Mr White was able to pick up items including fruit and bags for the first time since his amputation.
He was able to pay for the bespoke arm that was custom made to his shape and person design specification thanks to a crowdfunding campaign.
Makers Open Bionics said the firm is on a mission to help patients like Mr White to ‘turn their disabilities into superpowers’.
Samantha Payne MBE, co-founder of Open Bionics, said: ‘Michael has been on an exceptional journey to regain functionality and independence since his amputations.
‘We are so pleased to see Michael be able to enjoy some more of his favourite hobbies with the use of the Hero Arm.’
The company uses innovative technologies such as 3D printing and 3D scanning so that each ‘Hero Arm’, which can be fitted to children as young as seven, is custom-built to each user’s body.
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