Aspiring car mechanic shifts to top gear, thanks to 3D printing

Reuters - Despite being born without her right forearm, 19-year-old car-lover Kinga Wawro has not let that stop her pursuing her chosen career. Her classmates at a technical school in Jaroslaw, south-east Poland, have used their tech know-how to design and 3D print a prosthesis for Wawro, to help her achieve her dream of becoming a car mechanic. The prosthetic arm is the result of a project between Wawro's classmates and the E-Nable foundation, a global community of volunteers who use their 3D printers to create free arms and hands for those in need. Wawro's lightweight prosthesis comes equipped with a torch and magnets for holding screws to help her when fixing cars. Thanks to her new arm, Wawro has been able to pass her practical exams, without needing help from her teachers. "My colleagues from the project showed me how to stand but I took the steps forward myself," said Wawro, adding that her new prosthesis has given her more confidence. Wawro's mother Lucyna was also overwhelmed by how the prosthesis has changed her daughter's attitude. "Now my child is smiling, my child is happy, she is going to fulfil her dreams," said Lucyna.