Soldier first to get 'bionic' arm after Afghan attack
Story by Anthony Baxter and Dan Cairns
Newsbeat reporters 
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demonstrates his new arm
A 23-year-old soldier has become the first British servicemen injured in battle to benefit from a new ‘bionic’ arm.
has just completed six months’ rehabilitation at a military medical unit after his right arm was blown off during a battle in September 2010.
“It’s so nice to be able to hold a cup, stir something, open a jar and do the simplest things in life”, he says.
The arm is controlled by pressure pads on his chest and back, which pick up electronic pulses from a plate attached to his shoulder.
By flexing his pectoral and back muscles he can perform different movements, like gripping and rotation.
He told Newsbeat he received his injuries fighting in an enemy stronghold for the Queen’s Royal Lancers
“There were a lot of fire fights going on between us and the Taliban.
“Unfortunately a rocket propelled grenade got fired in my direction – actually it was a direct hit, which took my right arm, literally there and then.”
After being evacuated back to Camp Bastion, medics had no choice but to amputate.
Corporal Garthwaite has been doing strength and fitness rehab
However, within a month he was starting treatment at Headley Court, a specialist military rehabilitation centre in Surrey.
Corporal Garthwaite states he was scared about losing independence, but the ‘bionic’ limb now means he can do each day tasks, as well as drive his automobile and ride his motorbike, which have been specially adapted.
Soldiers with other injuries are also benefiting from advances in prosthetic limbs.
“The legs that you see knocking around Headley Court – it’s like electronic knees, electronic elbows…”, states Andrew.
“It’s all fitted to you now, and they are comfortable to wear and simple to use.”
He states it actually only took him a few hours to get used to controlling his new arm.
Corporal Garthwaite is now hoping to travel to Vienna to undergo a process called ‘targeted nerve reinnervation’.
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They’ll take nerves from my stump and put them into my chest
It’ll mean his prosthetic arm can react directly to his brain’s thoughts, rather than him having to flex his muscles to get it to move.
“They’ll take nerves from my stump and put them into my chest area,” he explains.
Although it’s unlikely he will be able to fight again, Andrew states he wants to rejoin the Army in Afghanistan.
“I’m quite able to do everything I used to do – sometimes at a slower time, but you cannot really ask for miracles.”
More source:
BBC - Newsbeat - Soldier first to get bionic arm after Afghan attackBBC - Newsbeat - Soldier first to get bionic arm after Afghan attack
First UK soldier to have mind-controlled bionic arm |
First Bionic Arm Given To British Soldier - Sky News
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Submited at Monday, April 4th, 2011 at 6:00 am on Uncategorized by sofia
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