24 year old industrial engineer Guillermo Martinez, worked in a toy shop, developing and selling toys. When he first bought a 3D printer, it was purely for entertainment purposes. He would go through YouTube tutorials on building robots and gadgets and enjoyed making this. The world changed for him the day he came across a tutorial showing how to build a prosthetic limb.
"I started making many 3D-printed hand prostheses for fun. Then I thought to myself, 'what if this can actually help someone?'- Guillermo Martinez
Having planned a trip to Kenya to meet an NGO, Guillermo asked if anyone would require a prosthesis. He was shocked by the number of responses he received. That journey to Kenya would change his life forever.
"There are everyday things we do in our daily lives that we take for granted and we don't realize how lucky we are. For others it's a constant struggle, and that's why I set up Ayúdame3D to do my own bit, however small."
- Guillermo Martinez
The devices are made of plastic and works with high-tension wires and rubber bands. Rotating the natural joint creates a movement in the fingers of the prosthesis. This means that the 3D prosthesis is not just for show but allows the user to do various normal activities like gardening and sewing. The prosthesis he created is also capable of carrying up to 10 kgs.
There were multiple hurdles, of course. Money remained an obvious issue in a country where most Kenyans earned less than $2 a day (creating and fitting a normal prosthesis can cost $1000). Thus he started seeking help online, through donations and NGOs and using the funds he receives from them.
Guillermo via Ayúdame3D delivered over 150 prosthetic last year to people in need in over 34 countries... all free of charge.
Heroes of Kindness:
Since 2017, every year, I take up the #BlogchatterA2Z & #AtoZChallenge and focus on showcasing lovely real-life heroes from around the world. The aim is to remind you that there is still plenty of good human beings all around you... to inspire you to smile once more.
Want more stories of compassion? I have Hundreds of 'Heroes of Kindness' to brighten your day here:
2017 edition (Articles - 40, Heroes - 67)
2018 edition (Articles - 34, Heroes - 52)
2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)
Heroes of Kindness - My Interviews2019 edition (Articles - 31, Heroes - 42)
From entertaining self to catering to the needs of differently-able, Martinez Guillermo has traded a path not taken. Going by his example I now have firm belief that great people are ordinary people like everyone in the world but their deeds are extraordinary! Salute to Martinez.
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DeleteAwesome. The calling comes in unexpected ways
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That is indeed wonderful. He must be really skilled if the limbs allow lifting weights up to 10 kg and stitching too.
ReplyDeleteHow a small pass-time activity can change the life of so many people. This is such a heartwarming post.
ReplyDeleteSomething that probably started out as a hobby became a life-changing ability. Kudos to him!
ReplyDeleteThat is just awesome! I’m amazed at what technology can do nowadays and also the large-heartedness of some youngsters!
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Of course I have my real arm but recovering from a rotator cuff surgery has only shown me how handicapped one is without an arm. And to get a prosthetic limb that is functional and not just cosmetic is a real blessing. God Bless this Angel.
ReplyDeleteIn a world that seems to be filled with entitled ungrateful educated idiots, your posts keep reminding me that there is still humanity left in the society.
ReplyDeleteWow!! How a fun and entertaining activity changed him and changed the lives of so many. More power to Guillermo!!
ReplyDeleteSo heart-warming! Guillermo is a true hero.
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