Hi, my name is Andy Bodymore. Twenty-four years ago I lost my arm in an industrial accident. Before that I was a trained Carpenter.

I really loved my job as a carpenter and I was only working in a factory because I was in between jobs. My arm was crushed in a metal press and I

spent four painful months in hospital. I retained my hand for two years and then decided to have it amputated as it gave me constant pain and no longer worked.

This was my dominant left hand. I tried a few prosthetic arms and hands which were very cumbersome and heavy and so for the last twenty-two years I have relied on my right hand.

Relying on one hand has caused issues; due to using this hand constantly and not ever being able to rest it, I now have problems with the rotary cuff in my right shoulder which is causing ongoing issues.

Because of the accident, life afterwards has been very different. Having only one hand makes me feel less than other people, I can’t always do the same as my friends, even a simple game of cards is difficult. I now suffer from PTSD and to this day still have nightmares about the day of the accident and its aftermath.

I like cycling, football, going out and walking. I have had a bike adapted so it is all on the right-hand side but I can't cycle very far on it because it causes back issues due to the position I have to ride in.

I would like an Open Bionics Hero arm because I want to start doing daily tasks myself again more easily.

I want to be able to go to the gym more often without having to adapt everything I do and I really want to try and lead as much of a normal

life as possible whilst alleviating the strain on my right arm as much as I can to help the ongoing pain issues.

I'm getting married next July and I would love for my fiancée to be able to put a ring on my left hand.

Having visited Open Bionics and seeing their products, I am very hopeful and excited to one day have a fully functioning left hand again.

If you are able to donate to my crowd funder – thank you – your donation is very appreciated.

I’m raising money through The Open Bionics Foundation, and any donation will go towards my Hero PRO. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Open Bionics Foundation: The Open Bionics Foundation provides financial support to socioeconomically deprived people with limb differences who need multi-grip upper limb prosthetics.