Prosthetics as an Extension of Beauty and Ability

In the October 2017 ASME magazine you’ll find this startling photo that looks like it should be in a fashion magazine. It is in fact a photo of a professional model, Kelly Knox, who was born without a forearm. Kelly is modeling a most engaging prosthetic device, designed by New Zealander Danielle Clode, that re-imagines the prosthetic arm as a piece of jewelry – functional, yet beautiful. Going even further, another Clode design has won an award for design creativity from the Royal College of Art in London. Her innovative “Third Thumb” design can actually augment a person’s ability to manipulate objects. The video showing people using it with incredible dexterity is mesmerizing. I really like the last sentence in the ASME article, "Here success is measured not by more euphemisms for the word disability, but by redefining ability itself."

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