Andrew
In November 2020 I started my Hero Arm Journey and in March 2021, I with the help of family, friends, local businesses, and Open Bionics managed to buy a HERO Arm. The appointments at Open Bionics were hassle free and everyone I met there were so welcoming and supportive. It took a total of 3-4 appointments to finalise the details I needed (casting, fitting, training etc) to finally get my Hero Arm.
Fast forward to 2024. The HERO Arm has changed my life in so many ways. I use it every day at work as a Warehouseman at Screwfix. I can push cages, trollies and drive any Manual Handling Equipment vehicles (e.g. FLT) around the warehouse, as well as using other heavy machinery and equipment. The warrantee I had on my arm ensured that from 2021-2023 all repairs and updates were conducted quickly by Open Bionics. I was sent a “loan hand” on several occasions, my hand collected repaired and returned – usually within a week. This included repairs of the fingers and palm grips, and updates of the hand’s hardware.
The warrantee of my Hero Arm ran out in October 2023 and as it is such a cool piece of kit, the repairs can be costly which was not financially viable for me. After discussions with Chris from the Customer Service Team at Open Bionics, I was advised to approach the NHS as the Hero Arm is now available on the NHS for Hero Arm Users who have been using the equipment for more than 2 years – as well as other people in the UK with a limb difference – however for those starting their Hero Arm journey as a new user, the process is significantly longer. Please do not see this as a deterrent though. You need to persevere with the process to get your HERO Arm as it is utterly amazing.
The NHS process has been slightly longer than the first. The NHS need to ensure that money is being spent appropriately. My journey also started a little differently, as I had to go to see my GP to get a referral to the Orthopaedics Department at the NHS.
I again have had a lovely journey with Open Bionics who have worked closely together with the NHS to support myself to get a new Hero Arm. Many thanks to Helder from Open Bionics and Phil from the NHS, who have made this process easy to understand and have been so supportive. I have had my cast, fitting and training – as the HERO Arm I will be using is an updated version and there are some new things it can do! I am now awaiting delivery of my new HERO Arm.
Once the order for the Hero Arm was submitted by the NHS to Open Bionics, my arm will take less than 15 weeks to complete and delivered. All repairs and updates will now be done through the NHS, which means I am secure in the knowledge that if I have any problems or any parts need replacing, they will be done in a fast and efficient manner at no cost to me, meaning I don’t have to worry about my finances anymore.
I cannot thank or recommend Open Bionics or the Hero Arm enough. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you. The Hero Arm is truly lifechanging.
Picture is of me on my wedding day in May 2024, using my Hero Arm to hold a glass of Champagne!!