5-Year-Old Throws Out First Pitch With 3D-Printed Prosthetic

The new hand, created by UNLV students, has given Hailey the opportunity to do many things that she was not capable of doing before with her right hand. This disorder results in the underdevelopment or even the absence of the chest muscle on one side of the body, as well as the deformation of the fingers of the hand on that same side. The disease affects her right arm as well.

“5-year-old Orioles fan with Poland Syndrome S/O to Hailey Dawson throws out first pitch using her robotic hand”. “Ultimately, the goal is not for her to just have her dream come true, but to also expose the hand… people can get this hand and it’s available to anybody”.

And at the game, the five-year-old delighted the crowd by throwing the first pitch with the Flexy Hand they developed. Hailey threw out a first pitch at a UNLV baseball game, but wanted to try the big leagues. She has a pinky, thumb and palm – but no fingers.

After scouring the Internet, Hailey’s mother Yong Dawson stumbled upon Robohand – a cost-effective plastic prosthetic made in a 3-D printer and cobbled together with wire, nuts and bolts.

While Hailey and Yong are still working with the department at UNLV and with Touro University Occupational Department to develop and fine-tune the mechanics, (Hailey is now using Version 4 of the hand, ) the students’ project has already opened up many doors for Hailey and others.

Apparently Hailey isn’t the only inspirational one in her family either.

“What do you do when John Angelos, exec VP of the Baltimore Orioles, calls you and wants to talk about your daughter?”

And Orioles fans got to see her use it to throw out a very special ceremonial first pitch on Monday night.

This is just so cool on so many levels.