“He smiles so much. He brightens up now that he has that hand.”
A 3-year-old Hawaiian boy, Rayden “Bubba” Kahae, was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS), which is a congenital fetal abnormality. His grandmother, Rulan Waikiki, explained to Hawaii’s KHON2, “It’s where the baby’s hands end up without some fingers, some with none, couple little stumps instead of fingers.” In Rayden's case, he ended up without any fingers on his right hand.
As he got older his deformity began having a negative impact on his life. He would cry when people would ask to touch his stump and to avoid that unwanted attention Rayden would often hide his right hand in his pockets. Rayden's grandmother was compelled to find a solution and began looking into mechanical/prosthetic hands, which can go for as much as $40,000. But times have changed, and with advances in 3D-printing technology the non-profit organization (E-Nable) was able to create a customized Iron Man prosthetic hand for Rayden for only $50. Best part? E-Nable didn't even charge Rayden's family.
“He would never want to show it to people,” said Kahae. "Now, he shows it to everybody. He’s so proud. He can catch a ball.”