A nine-year-old US boy has received a 3D-printed prosthetic arm delivered by a Star Wars fan organisation dedicated to charity work.
Alvin Garcia Flores, who was born with a right arm that ends just below his elbow, got his new prosthesis at Gateway Elementary School in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday from members of the 501st Legion, a national fan organisation whose members cosplay as characters from the Star Wars films. Darth Vader, an imperial officer, two stormtroopers and a droid made the delivery.
The white arm with gold trim was created by Limbitless Solutions, a Florida nonprofit organisation that provides children with bionic arms for free. It created Garcia's arm after his principal, Terry Burton, reached out to the organisation.
"I hope that the arm gives Alvin more self-confidence at school around his peers," Burton said.
Alvin was surprised with the gift and put it on in front of about 140 of his fellow fourth graders.
The arm, which will last about a year, uses electrical currents in muscles to control the arm's hand. When Alvin flexes his biceps, an electrical current prompts the hand of his new arm to grip.
Alvin says he is shocked to receive the arm and showed it off to his classmates.
His mother, Leticia Flores, watched as her son tested the gift.
"He knows that I love him the way that he is... and I always tell you, Papi: `Don't ever let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do, you know, right'?" Leticia said.
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