I'm new, so here's my intro.. use me.
RedShoe
I was in the special makeup effects for the movie industry for 10
years and have since moved onto the world of webmaster.
The webmaster world is a boring and lonely one. I miss being creative,
I miss building things. I crave the need to build stuff.
In FX, I did both mechanical and makeup effects.
If you need something built please let me know. I've been wanting to
explore the world of prosthesis for a while now but didn't know how to
go about it, and today I found this site.
I think at first I'd like to explore the idea of building non-
supportive "extras" for prosthesis. Like doctoring them up to look
like the Terminator limbs for Halloween, or adding (I think I saw one
area describe adding) mp3 players to limbs. I don't think I would be
ready to create limbs that would have to actually function as a daily
support product for it's wearer.
I'm here to learn so forgive me if I'm insensitive to the cause.
~RedShoe
Wayne Renardson
R> I think at first I'd like to explore the idea of building non-
supportive "extras" for prosthesis. Like doctoring them up to look
like the Terminator limbs for Halloween, or adding (I think I saw one
area describe adding) mp3 players to limbs.
As a BK prosthesis user of many years, I have seen people decorate
their rigs for a long time. Myself, I have some artwork by the great
M.C. Escher
<http://www.mcescher.com/Gallery/ital-bmp/LW268.jpg>
tattooed on the front of my prosthesis. I confess the notion of an
MP3 player on, or as an adjunct to, my prosthesis is not something I
want. But I understand you are exploring notions. We need people who
have been creative and wish to continue to do so after a period of
rest.
RS> I don't think I would be ready to create limbs that would have to
actually function as a daily support product for it's wearer.
Fabricating a prosthesis for function and that is first of all
'comfortable' is no small task. There are many reasons why a rig is
not comfortable, and there are any number of unskilled, unqualified
people who fabricate rigs that can damage a user.
If you have no interest in creating a prosthesis that would actually
be functional, what sort of prosthesis or for what purpose do you
envision making one? Aesthetics? If not for function, then for what?
Just curious....
Wayne Renardson
RedShoe
See, that's why I'm new to this.
I think what I meant was I wasn't ready for supportive rigs just yet
because, and you
explained it in your answer, I didn't want to be one of the many
unqualified people that
dabble in this and damage a wearer.
I guess, I'm looking to learn how they work, what function they serve,
and to explore
possibilities.
And by function, I mean they just don't attach to your body, they
sometimes need to
support your entire weight, or allow you to grab and lift things. I
absolutely don't want
to create something that could possibly break under stress and cause
pain or even more
damage to a wearer.
In FX we pretty much built things that looked like they work, and are
never really built
to last more than a few weeks. It only has to last a shoot.
So, I figured if I could explore on a more aesthetic level, then that
might eventually
help me to understand the needs and requirements of wearers for real
world applications.
Any pointers are greatly appreciated.
Jenn Maroun
I have a very active 3 year old who had a stroke at 10 - 13 weeks
gestation. Both of his hands are deformed, but 1 worse than the
other. We need a prostesis for one of his hands, but it doesn't
exist. We need a thumb. right arm is normal, but the hand on has 2
fingers on it and they are fused together (the arm and with the
fingers on the end for lack of better description kinda looks like a
pencil with a point on the end). Anyway, it would be so great to have
something that could be a thumb. To the best of my knowledge (and we
looked everywhere) all prosthetics are for missing hands not missing
digits. If you want pictures we would be happy to provide.
Thanks for your interest in trying to help.
Jenn Maroun
Daril Atkins
It appears that you are talking about a congenital defect. In time you
are likely to be surprised to see what the child can do with relative
ease. The first step is to take advise from a hand surgeon who may
decide to separate the two fused fingers. Thereafter you may be
referred to an Occupational therapist who will teach the child how to
use the defective limbs.
In my experience of 40 years, I have seen that the only time such
individuals need any kind of prostheses is when either the parent or
the growing child feels embarrassed and would prefer a camouflage
cover. However such covers would hamper natural function.
Would it be possible for you to post the pictures so that I can
suggest further.
Daril Atkins
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