Richard Slusher, an amputee camp counselor from Northeast Ohio who was born with no right arm, raised funds needed in just over 5 weeks for a multi-grip bionic arm. A strong advocate for disability rights, Richard crowdfunded for a Hero Arm to support him in his day-to-day job working with children. 

Recently, Richard wrote candidly for Amplitude Magazine about what it’s like living with a congenital limb difference and how challenging it has been to obtain a prosthesis he wanted “The Hero Arm is lightweight and the socket is breathable, which makes it comfortable to wear for an entire day (which I couldn’t do with my previous devices). I’m able to cook, pour drinks, open doors, and complete other tasks with far more ease than I used to. But my new prosthesis hasn’t just brought practical changes. It also has been emotionally liberating.” – Read the full feature from Richard in this Amplitude Magazine article.

After a life-time of using a prosthesis with minimal function, Richard was in awe when he was able to move his bionic fingers for the first time. The Hero Arm was custom built and uses myoelectric sensors to detect underlying muscular contractions which are then amplified and converted into intuitive bionic hand movements.

An optimist by nature, 27-year-old Richard says prosthetics he had worn before “always had this feeling of conformity, like wearing a prosthetic that looked like a real limb is what I had to do to be accepted.”

Once he decided to opt for the Hero Arm, Richard worked ran a crowdfunding campaign. He said: “I didn’t think it would do that well right out of the gate, I was so humbled by it.”

When Richard first tried on the Hero Arm, he was excited about the opportunity to make it an extension of his personality. Choosing bright blue covers, Richard described the Hero Arm as “something straight out of the future”. 

He added: “When I wear it I feel like a robot, which is so fun and it opens doors to positive communication about limb difference.”

Richard comes from a close-knit community that championed him from a young age to achieve his goals, he explained: “I grew up surrounded by family members who always supported me to do whatever I wanted. I want people to see my journey as a call-to-action that their needs matter and that anyone who is not happy with their prosthetics should seek alternative options.”

“People with limb differences deserve better access to prosthetics that fulfill their physical and psychological needs. We hope the Hero Arm will empower Richard to continue to achieve his goals and encourage others to reach out if they need support funding their bionic arm. We’re here to help.” commented Samantha Payne, Founder & CEO of Open Bionics. 

Recently, Richard spoke candidly about what it’s like living with a congenital limb difference and how challenging it has been to obtain a prosthesis he wanted “The Hero Arm is lightweight and the socket is breathable, which makes it comfortable to wear for an entire day (which I couldn’t do with my previous devices). I’m able to cook, pour drinks, open doors, and complete other tasks with far more ease than I used to. But my new prosthesis hasn’t just brought practical changes. It also has been emotionally liberating.” – Read the full feature from Richard in this Amplitude Magazine article.