9th September 2025
For most high school students, the return to school might feel routine. For 17-year-old Davic Kasper from Fort White, Florida, it was a milestone of independence worth celebrating.
Last year, an ATV accident changed Davic’s life when he lost his arm. Everyday tasks were challenging, and he often relied on others to help with simple things like carrying books or opening a water bottle. But this fall, he returned to school carrying his own backpack for the first time since the accident.
“
He can hold a bottle and take the lid off. He uses it for running errands, going out to dinner, and shopping. The only time he does not wear it is when he is sleeping.
”
Davic’s family had searched for ways to give him more independence after the accident. A high-tech prosthetic seemed out of reach, but his small-town community recognized the opportunity and stepped in to help. In just six months, friends, neighbors, and local businesses made it possible for Davic to be fitted with the Hero PRO, one of the most advanced bionic arms available today.
The Hero PRO is designed to move naturally through everyday life. It is fully wireless, with movements in the hand controlled by MyoPods™, small, waterproof sensors that rest on the skin and detect muscle signals. A simple squeeze or flex of the muscles opens or closes the fingers in seven different grips, with an additional 25 grips available through the Sidekick app. The movements came naturally for Davic from the start. With a touchscreen-compatible fingertip and lightweight frame, the device made it possible to open doors while carrying his backpack, twisting the lid off a bottle, or multitasking while on the phone.
“This is the first year Davic can carry his own backpack to school,” said his mom, Sandra Maynard. “Last year, someone else had to do it for him. Now he is independent, confident, and the Hero PRO even adds a little bit of wow factor. The kids call him the bionic kid.”
For Davic and his family, the biggest change has been the return of everyday independence. “So many things are different for him now,” Sandra explained. “He can hold a bottle and take the lid off. He uses it for running errands, going out to dinner, and shopping. The only time he does not wear it is when he is sleeping.”
The Hero PRO is built from durable 3D-printed materials and is water resistant, so it can keep up with daily activities without slowing down. It also pairs with the Hero FLEX socket, a breathable design that improves airflow and reduces sweat, keeping the arm comfortable throughout the day. The design balances durability with comfort, giving Davic the ability to carry objects up to 57 pounds while remaining light enough for all-day wear. Every detail, from manual wrist rotation to customizable covers, has been engineered to support function, self-expression, and confidence.
This month, Davic joined Open Bionics at the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association National Assembly in Orlando, where he showcased the Hero PRO to thousands of clinicians and innovators. For his hometown, he is already a hero. For many people living with limb differences seeking solutions, he is proof that technology combined with determination can open the door to a new kind of independence.
Sandra, Davic’s mom, shared how powerful attending the conference was for her son. Surrounded by others with similar stories, Davic found a sense of belonging. Sandra explained, “This is the first time I believe Davic felt like he belonged. He connected with a world that made him feel normal and saw he isn’t alone. He was so proud to realize that with Open Bionics he had the best out there, and couldn’t wait to tell everyone. He’s already excited for the next conference and loved showing off his hand.
If you’d like to demo any of our devices or would simply like to speak to a prosthetist about your next prosthesis, get in touch.
English 
USA 
German