One Las Vegas mother might have changed the course of her 4-year-old daughter Hailey’s life with an email to the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering.
Hailey Dawson was born with Poland syndrome, a rare birth defect that causes underdevelopment of the pectoral muscle on one side of the body and deformation of the hand.
The syndrome caused her hand to form with only a thumb and a pinky and nubbins in place of the remaining fingers, resembling the “hang loose” sign.
Hailey calls it her “special hand.” She doesn’t have the ability to grasp, which makes common childhood activities — such as riding a bicycle — difficult and unsafe.
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.
Inspired by Robohand, Dawson contacted UNLV engineers, hoping that a researcher might take on the project.
“How could you say no to this?” said Brendan O’Toole, chair and professor of mechanical engineering. “The project combines mechanics, robotics, and we get the added bonus of helping someone. It could make all the difference in the world of making Hailey more comfortable or safe.”
