in two games. Not a bad start to the season!

Progress continues! Alex has made the all-important color choices and N has successfully printed the forearm cup retainer, palm, and fingers. The only people who are not doing their assigned tasks effectively are Bill and me. Who knew that making molds and casts that bear some resemblance to Alex's arm could be so tricky?! Ah well. We're getting an education in alginates and plaster in the process .... Does this arm look awesome, or what?

The e-NABLE community is incredible! We contacted the group 10 days ago. Since then, we've been matched with two volunteers, received a screen recording of a model of Alex's "SuperArm," AND received videos of the first test pieces being printed out. They look amazing. We're still working out privacy issues, but, for now, I can say thanks to N, M, and R for all of their hard work. Alex hasn't seen the videos yet, but my guess is that we're likely to have an excited little boy in the morning.

Last Thursday, Bill and I ran across the following video. [It's worth the time to watch it!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M07FaHYh0jo

We were impressed. In part by the device. In part by the organization. You can read more about e-NABLE here.

We sent a few emails. Took a few photos. And, with the help of some enthusiastic (and fast-acting!) volunteers, Alex is well on his way to serving as a test-pilot for the first round of 3d printed arms. The designs are set to be released in just a few days . . .

Bill and I were not really planning on going down the path of finding a prosthetic for Alex. Most kids with upper limb differences find currently-available prosthetics clunky and uncomfortable. And most kids with upper limb differences, like Alex, really don't run across a whole lot they can't do. But we're intrigued enough by the possibilities of this particular device and, especially, the e-NABLE community that we are joining up with them to see just what a growing group of volunteers can accomplish. While contemplating the larger picture, we're also getting excited about more mundane possibilities - like watching Alex hold a cup of milk and a sandwich at the same time. ;) 

We'll post more as the process moves along.

Bill and I started a blog in 2008 when we embarked on a journey to China to meet this (now not-so-) little guy  

and become a family of four.

Since then, the frequency of posts has steadily diminished.

It's time for a fresh start.

Exciting things are happening. Stay tuned.