KATIE and Adam Dengel have used their experience when their son was born without a right forearm as an opportunity to improve the lives of others.
Their selflessness has earned them a Proud of Barnsley nomination.
The couple, both 29 of Galway Close, Royston, have a three-year-old son called Tommy, and they found the information available to them was lacking.
“When we found out at the scan we asked if there were support groups but there’s nothing in the UK doctors could give us to ask questions,” Katie said.
A foundation called Lucky Fin in the United States made Tommy his first arm and this was the inspiration for the couple to start up their own foundation.
LimbBo was created six months ago and provides kids with 3D printed arms free of charge.
The arms are all customised for the children and themes have included Wonder Woman, Paw Patrol and Batman. Tommy’s own arm is a Buzz Lightyear design.
Each arm takes a total of around 24 hours to complete, from design to completion. Adam creates the arms when he’s not at work as an operations manager.
At the moment, the plastic rolls they use to create the limbs are paid for by donations, but they say most of the money goes to organising day trips.
A trip has been planned for August, with 30 people due to attend.
There are also smaller details the pair have become aware of related to being differently abled.
Adam has designed a device so people with only a left arm can operate a camera, as the shutter button is always on the right-hand side.
The design is open source so anyone can find and use the design with a 3D printer.
Their work is not a chore and something they do out of passion. Adam said: “To be honest if we didn’t have money from donations I’d still want to make them.
“If it makes a kid happy I’d spend my wage. It’s worth it for that.”
