Paige Cox, a 16-year-old from Somerset, is determined to raise £20,000 to fund a cutting-edge bionic arm that could revolutionize her daily life. Born without a right hand, Paige has navigated unique challenges from an early age, but her ambitions remain high.
Passionate about cricket and an active member of the Army Cadets, Paige aspires to serve in the armed forces. She believes that acquiring a custom 3D-printed Hero Arm—a highly advanced bionic prosthetic powered by muscle sensors—will significantly improve her chances of achieving that goal.
The Hero Arm would provide Paige with the ability to perform everyday tasks such as tying shoelaces, cutting food, and carrying items with ease. As she prepares to start college studying psychology, law, and sociology, Paige acknowledges that her disability has often made her feel like “the odd one out.” However, she is hopeful this prosthetic will help her embrace a more positive and empowered identity.
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“Born with one hand, I’ve always faced unique challenges that have shaped my experiences,” Paige shared. “Starting college has been tough, but with the Hero Arm, I would turn being ‘different’ into something really positive—a ‘cool’ bionic hand that I’m proud of.”
While Paige has learned to adapt and find creative solutions, simple activities like cooking and sports present ongoing difficulties, impacting both her confidence and well-being. She recalls struggling to keep up with teammates in cricket and hopes the arm will boost her performance and enthusiasm for the game.
Her involvement with the Army Cadets also presents hurdles, from handling equipment to field exercises, which she believes would be much easier with the prosthetic.
The Hero Arm’s intuitive muscle sensor control would allow Paige to move the prosthetic naturally, enabling her to engage fully in sports like rugby, which she hopes to try in the future.
“The arm would be transformative,” Paige explains. “It would let me participate more fully in life and enjoy activities with friends and family, doing things I’ve always wanted but found challenging.”
Paige is raising funds through The Open Bionics Foundation—a charity that helps individuals access advanced prosthetics often not funded by the NHS. So far, she has raised over £300 towards her goal.