TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Class is back in session at Terre Haute South High School after Spring Break, and while some students spent their free time on vacation or catching up on sleep, one teacher and student spent their break in Mexico helping people with disabilities.
Around a year and a half ago, Design Technology Teacher at Terre Haute South, Daniel Card, was approached by Thompson Thrift, a local real estate developer.
They had an idea for the 3D printer in Card’s classroom.
“They have a division that deals with these vision trips to help people around the globe, and they knew I had a 3-D printer already in the room”, Card said. “They had contact with someone in Alabama who designed and developed these prosthetic limbs for third world countries.”
Card asked senior Bryce Norris to join the project.
Norris said the 3D printing process works from the ground up, taking 54 hours to print a single prosthetic leg.
“It goes layer by layer, so it will 3-D print the full bottom layer of the foot and then keep going up each time”, Norris said. “Then it will add in the Kevlar when needed.”
Along with members of Thompson Thrift, Card and Norris flew down to Campeche, Mexico last week, bringing 13 prosthetic legs with them.
“To see the amputees and their families come in with crutches and wheelchairs, then leave with another leg”, Card said. “Now, they can walk, go back to work, and provide for their families.”
Norris said some of the amputees were locals, while others made the trip to Campeche for the opportunity.
“We had one guy that we fitted, he was a cab driver that lost his leg”, Norris said. “He couldn’t be a cab driver anymore because he didn’t have a leg. We gave him that leg and now he can go back to being a cab driver, doing what he wants to do.”
A life changing experience, not just for the amputees.
“It was a great experience because I got to see the different people, who they were, and how their culture was versus mine”, Norris said. “It was great. You could definitely tell they were really appreciative for you, at least showing up, because they would always shake your hand or hug you. A lot of people cried sometimes, so it was just a really great experience.”
While they were only able to give 13 residents a new prosthetic leg, Daniel and Bryce said they took measurements of others and plan on making a second trip to help as many people as possible.
