In the realm of 3D printer training, most people may tend to think it’s only available in wealthier countries. However, thanks to one entrepreneur who operates a non-profit organization called Not Impossible, that training has been made available in a country you may not have expected. In Sudan, war has ravaged the country for years and placed innocent bystanders there right in the middle of harm’s way. As a result, many have been seriously injured and lost limbs from the random warfare around them. Out of all injuries, far too many have lost their arms or hands as a result of the violence.
It’s a sad situation that seemed hopeless until Mick Ebeling, the founder of above-mentioned Not Impossible, heard a story about a Sudanese boy who had his arms and hands blown off. The boy, named Daniel Omar, told his story to Time Magazine and made it clear to the world that he’d likely never be able to work to support a family due to his injury. It’s then when Ebeling got word of the story and set up an initiative called Project Daniel to help give Daniel Omar prosthetic limbs.
What makes this story connect to 3D printing is that Ebeling linked up with Intel and Precipart to take 3D printers over to Sudan so the prosthetics could be printed. It’s an example of how 3D printing is starting to grow more accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to one in their lifetime.
With the printer creating a workable prosthetic hand for Daniel Omar, the best technology available has finally made it to a country that was desperate for help. However, the story doesn’t stop there. The 3D printers hadn’t been brought along with intention of taking them back to America. Part of the initiative was to help train people in Sudan to start using 3D printers to their own advantage.
Bringing 3D Printer Training to Sudan
After the prosthetic hand was created for Daniel Omar, Eberling made sure of one other thing: The Sudanese people receive proper training in 3D printing. As a result of this training, this area of Sudan now has a makeshift prosthetics lab that can print out prosthetic limbs for very little money. Despite those prosthetic limbs not being overly hi-tech, they’re still very useful and allows people like Daniel Omar to feed himself and do tasks he couldn’t have done without the printers.
It’s a small example of how far-reaching 3D printing training is becoming and how extensive it’s going to be in America this year and beyond. Even better, it’s a sign that people can be trained to print prosthetic devices that work just as well as going through a cutting-edge company selling them for thousands of dollars.
Yes, for our returning war veterans who’ve lost limbs, it could help save them exponential money on their health care bills.
References:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/3dprinted-prosthetics-how-a-100-arm-is-giving-hope-to-sudans-50000-war-amputees-9071708.html
http://www.notimpossiblelabs.com/
