A New Chapter for Danielle with a Hero PRO Upgrade

When New Jersey native Danielle first met her clinical team at Open Bionics, she was still adjusting to a new reality after a sudden infection left her with life-changing injuries. 

“About two and a half years ago, I had strep throat that turned into sepsis and I lost both my arms and my toes,” Danielle explained. “I’ve just been trying to claw my way back into my life.”

After months of rehabilitation, Danielle was fitted with her first Hero Arm, choosing lilac covers that matched her optimism and individuality. The bionic hand gave her back a measure of independence, and confidence.

This month, Danielle was fitted with a Hero PRO, one of the world’s most advanced, water-resistant bionic hands. Her new arm features bright yellow covers, a color she says reflects how she feels now: Hopeful, bold, and very much alive.

“Before, I had purple covers on my Hero Arm,” Danielle said. “Yellow is my favorite color—purple’s my second favorite—so I figured this time, I’d go with yellow.”

Danielle said the potential to improve her mobility is what drove her to upgrade to the Hero PRO. “I was really intrigued by the wrist flexion. I love – love – that the wrist can move more now,” Danielle emphasized with a grin. “The angles of it are amazing. It feels so much more natural. It has made walking with a cane at physical therapy much easier!” 

The Hero PRO’s flexible wrist and full rotation has also given Danielle more freedom and comfort as she moves through her day, from eating a slice of pizza, to holding a glass of wine, to flipping pages while reading a book.

At her recent fitting appointment with Open Bionics clinician Daniel Green, Danielle arrived independently and handled most of the process herself, using her Hero Arm. She opened the box containing her new arm, adjusted the BOA dial, and slipped on her new Hero PRO without assistance. Once the fit was tested to make sure the comfort levels matched her Hero Arm, she began testing the hand, opening and closing the fingers, switching between grip modes, and exploring the wrist rotation.

Green and Danielle seemed like old friends at the appointment. He’s worked with her since the initial fitting of the lilac Hero Arm more than a year ago. “Her muscle signals are strong, the fit is perfect,” said Green. 

At the delivery, Danielle practiced daily activities like stabilizing food with a fork, carrying a plate, and writing her name. With the Sidekick App connected, she was also able to view her muscle graph and customize new grip settings. 

“I love to read,” she explained. “I’m most excited to do that tonight using the Hero PRO.”

The Hero PRO’s water resistant design also means Danielle can return to simple pleasures. “I also enjoy taking baths and reading in the bath,” she said with a smile. “I can’t wait to do that again.”

For Danielle, her Hero PRO represents the next step on the path of recovery and rediscovered joy.

“I’ve been through a lot,” Danielle said. “But every day I’m finding new ways to live again.”

Thinking about upgrading or getting your first bionic arm? Book a free consultation with your local Open Bionics clinical team to learn what’s possible with a Hero PRO.