Gettysburg students create 3D-printed hand for amputee
Natasha Dillow, left, tests out her new prosthetic hand as her mother, Lisa Sleichter, watches. Dillow lost her right hand, and several other limbs, to a flesh-eating disease last summer and received a 3D hand from two Gettysburg Area High School engineering students who helped print it. (Andrew P. Robinson/Gettysburg Area School District)
(Gettysburg) – Natasha Dillow wanted to hold a frosting bag and roll fondant again.
The 34-year-old cake decorator from Chambersburg no longer could do that after losing her right hand, and several other limbs, to a flesh-eating disease last summer.
With the aid of two Gettysburg Area High School students, Dillow will get an opportunity to bake like she used to after the students printed her a 3D right hand, according to a news release.
The two engineering students, upcoming seniors Adam Thomas and Garrett Young, printed the prosthetic for Dillow and brought her to the school for a fitting in early July. After refitting the 3D hand for Dillow, she was able to grasp and pick up a small object.
Dillow’s mother, Lisa Sleichter, accompanied her for the fitting.
“I’m so anxious to see what she can do now,” Sleichter said via a video shot by Andrew Robinson, the communications coordinator for the Gettysburg Area School District.
The video was