Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

Think bionic arms are just the stuff of superhero movies? Think again. Thanks to an incredible blend of cutting-edge technology and the power of community, three children in the UK were given their new "life-changing" Hero Arms on December 12—just in time for Christmas. For Zoey Hampton-Pigeon (8), Finley Jarvis (11), and Ettie Baker (8), their new “Hero Arms” aren’t just cool gadgets—they’re life-changing miracles.

Their story is made possible by the Big Hero 3 campaign, a fundraising initiative started by mother Sarah Lockey, who launched the campaign to help families of children with missing limbs fundraise for bionic arms. This grassroots movement raised a total of £60,000 for the three children—£40,000 from the Open Bionics Foundation, The Worshipful Company of Glovers, Foresight Group, and an anonymous donor and an additional £20,000 raised collectively by the three families themselves.


Ettie’s mum, Alyse, shared that her daughter "screamed" when she found out she would get her new Hero Arm in time for Christmas. Seeing the unfiltered joy of these children opening the most meaningful present imaginable resonates with anyone who has ever wished for a miracle.

"She's excited about being able to do things like handstands, ride her bike without an adaption and tying her shoes."
— Alyse, Ettie's mum

New possibilities, new dreams

A bionic arm user demonstrates their abilities. These high-end prosthetics promise enormous quality of life improvements for their users. Open Bionics (used with permission)

The Hero Arm, designed and manufactured by UK-based Open Bionics, is the world’s most advanced bionic limb for below-elbow amputees. It doesn’t just look cool—it delivers superhero-worthy functionality. With multi-grip options, intuitive controls and lightweight 3D-printed materials, it allows wearers to perform complex tasks like gripping, typing and even giving a thumbs-up. Activities like tying shoelaces, riding a bike without an adaptation, or doing handstands are no longer out of reach for these children.

Zoey’s dad, Thomas, said his daughter was jumping up and down "squealing" when she found out about her Hero Arm. Zoey has been using her arm to practice activities she once found challenging, like braiding her hair and drawing.

“It’s the best Christmas present in the world,” Zoey said, beaming with excitement, according to Yahoo News.

Expanding the mission

Inspired by this success, Lockey plans to expand the Big Hero 3 campaign to help more children in need. “We’re hoping to do another campaign next year,” she said. “Any donors who want to get involved to help are welcome.”

About Open Bionics

Open Bionics, the company behind the Hero Arm, has been pioneering a revolution in the prosthetics industry since its founding in 2014. Based in the UK, the company specializes in creating affordable, 3D-printed bionic arms for individuals with below-elbow limb differences.

@nypost Christmas came early this year for three children with missing limbs. ❤️ Learn more at the link in bio.
♬ original sound - New York Post | News

Open Bionics aims to make advanced prosthetics more accessible while transforming disabilities into superpowers. Their innovative approach allows users to personalize their arms with themed covers inspired by franchises like Marvel, Disney and Star Wars, adding a unique touch of fun and empowerment for kids and adults alike.

A Hero Arm holding a Rubik\u2019s Cube, showcasing the prosthetic's precision.The advanced superhero themed prosthetics have the power to restore an amazing amount of capability. Open Bionics (used with permission)

Open Bionics has earned accolades for its cutting-edge technology and humanitarian mission. By working with global organizations and expanding access to clinical care worldwide, the company continues to change lives, one Hero Arm at a time.

For more information or to support the cause, visit the Big Hero 3 campaign’s GoFundMe page.

More For You

Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | TranStudios Photography & Video; Reddit | u/whoevenisthat5

Man cancels wedding after fiancée refuses to include his daughter

A wedding is supposed to be a celebration of love and family, but for one man, it became the breaking point in his relationship. Reddit user u/whoevenisthat5 shared how he was forced to call off his engagement after his fiancée refused to include his 11-year-old daughter in their wedding.

At first, he thought it was just a disagreement over wedding roles—but when he found out her real reason for wanting to leave his daughter out, he realized there was no future for them.

Keep ReadingShow less
9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein
Cover Image Source: Instagram/Adhara Maite Pérez Sánchez

9-year-old with autism stuns the world with an IQ higher than Einstein

At just 9 years old, Adhara Pérez Sánchez has achieved what most people can’t even imagine. The Mexico City native has an IQ of 162—higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, who were both estimated to have IQs of 160, according to PEOPLE.

Despite facing relentless bullying due to her autism diagnosis, Pérez has not only graduated high school but is also pursuing two college degrees in systems engineering and mathematics.

Keep ReadingShow less
kimberly dowdell, reunion, down syndrome

Brothers Blake and Jack have an emotional reunion.

thekimberlydowdell/Instagram

Teen with Down syndrome travels hundreds of miles for incredible reunion with brother

Going off to college is the break-free moment that most young adults long for. While the newfound freedom is an amazing change, it is also a time of transition--which can bring a lot of uncomfortable feelings with the adjustment. It can be overwhelming, scary, and unfamiliar. So when mom Kimberly DowDell (@thekimberlydowdell) received a message from her son Blake that he was feeling anxious and overwhelmed during his second semester at college, she knew exactly what to do. She loaded up the family, including her husband and Blake's brother Jack (who has Down syndrome), and got on the road to go see him. And the brothers had an emotional reunion that was shared on social media.

"Blake is in his second semester of college, and being away from home can be hard. When he told us he was feeling anxious and overwhelmed, we didn’t even think twice—we jumped in the car and drove 286 miles just to be there for him," she wrote in the post's Instagram caption. "To remind him he’s not alone. To give him words of encouragement. To wrap him in a hug that says, we see you, we love you, and we’re always here for you."

Keep ReadingShow less
Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself
Representative image by Canva

Teacher unleashes glorious payback against school after forced to pay for class trip himself

School excursions often provide unforgettable experiences and bonding opportunities for students, but for teachers, they can be loaded with logistical headaches. So when a teacher was asked to single-handedly finance a field trip—with zero compensation—Reddit user u/Unfunded_Teacher took to the platform to vent about this bizarre demand.

Representative photo by Pexels | Anny Patterson

Keep ReadingShow less
A child's hand in an adults hand.

Representative Image: A mother and son found their way back together.

She gave her baby up for adoption. Years later, he named his son after her.

Choosing adoption is never easy. It’s a decision filled with love, sacrifice, and hope for a better future. When Schauna Austin gave birth to her son at 20 years old, she made the difficult choice to place him for adoption. But thanks to the openness of his adoptive parents, she remained an important part of his life, proving that family isn't just about biology—it’s about love.

A mother’s love, even from afar

After giving birth, Austin named her son Riley and treasured every moment she had with him before saying goodbye. She held him close for 72 hours straight, making sure to soak up every precious second.

Keep ReadingShow less