John is a below-elbow amputee from Market Deeping in the East Midlands. A former blacksmith, he lost his arm following a workplace accident and underwent 36 operations before surgeons made the decision to amputate. In the years since, his rehabilitation has been defined by a gradual return to the activities and occupations that matter most to him.

John was first fitted with the Hero FLEX, Open Bionics' lightweight activity prosthesis, which enabled him to return to exercise and take up kayaking, an activity he continues to do regularly. More recently, John was fitted with the Hero PRO through the NHS, Open Bionics' advanced multi-grip bionic hand. IP67 water and dust resistant, the Hero PRO features manual wrist flexion of up to 45 degrees in both directions to reduce compensatory movements and make grasping easier, alongside full 360 degree manual rotation. 

He has since returned to his workshop and is using his bionic hand to work with wood again.

"I was fitted at the Nottingham NHS clinic and the team there have been amazing and really supportive. The hand is working extremely well and I'm very pleased." John Whitman

For occupational therapists, John's outcome illustrates something important: that the right device, matched to the right patient at the right time, can support a meaningful return to occupation. It also illustrates that device needs can evolve. John now uses two Open Bionics devices for different purposes, the Hero FLEX for activity and the Hero PRO for daily function and skilled hand use.

Open Bionics' device range, including the Hero ARM and Hero PRO are available through the NHS for eligible patients across England and Wales. OTs are well placed to identify candidates and are encouraged to get in touch with Open Bionics directly to discuss referral pathways for potential patients.

If you work with patients with upper limb differences and would like to understand the referral process, our clinical team will be at the OT Show, NEC Birmingham, 25-26 November. You can also visit openbionics.com for device information and clinical resources.