He Wanted To Keep His Abnormal Hand Hidden, But When Kids Found Out, They Changed His Life
February 24, 2023
Hendersonville High School students recently and quite literally offered a hand to a new student when a group of three set out to make a robotic hand for one!
The idea of starting a new school can be scary, and that feeling was amplified for 15-year-old Sergio Peralta when he began a new year at the high school outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
RELATED: Parents of Boy in a Wheelchair Post Plea and High Schoolers Do Way More Than They Asked
Sergio was born with a birth defect that kept his right hand from fully forming. So, Sergio hoped he’d be able to hide his hand from classmates. He told CBS News, “In the first days of school, I honestly felt like hiding my hand. Like nobody would ever find out."
However, students at Hendersonville High did notice Sergio’s hand. But instead of responding negatively to his disability, three students did something to make Sergio’s life better! Jeff Wilkins, the school’s engineering teacher, approached Sergio with a proposal. They wanted to make a robotic hand for him!
Class Sets Out To Make Robotic Hand
Jeff told Sergio that students in his Design and Development class might be able to make him a prosthetic hand!
With reference to online models of prostheses and access to a 3D printer, the students devised a plan and completed Sergio’s new hand within four weeks!
RELATED: Strangers Create Wheelchair That Lets Disabled Boy Play in Ocean And His Joy Has Mom in Tears
There are so many wonderful things about this project. From learning to really put their knowledge to work to experience the joy of changing a life, these three, along with Sergio, were blessed by carrying out the assignment.
Student Leslie Jaramillo told The Guardian that they were able to do what they’ve been taught in class, saying, “You're supposed to be engineering, coming up with new ideas, solving issues."
And their finished product certainly accomplished that mission!
Robotic Hand Inspires So Many
Principal Bob Cotter told the BBC that Mr. Wilkins' class is geared toward teaching students to turn concepts “into reality,” adding that their work serves as “a testament to the students we have here who care about each other and the program that Jeff Wilkins has built."
Sergio has learned to do almost everything, including writing, with his left hand. Now, he is able to catch a baseball with his new right one!
“When I caught it for the first time, everyone started freaking out," he told People. "It was the first time I caught a ball with my right hand in 15 years."
Hendersonville High School set out to make a robotic hand for Sergio. But they gave him much more than that! The students there showed him the friendship and kindness that we wish all students—all people—demonstrated to others!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dad in Wheelchair Couldn’t Safely Take His Baby on a Walk So Students Design a Way to Help
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” Colossians 3:12
WATCH: Students Make Robotic Hand For Classmate
LISTEN: The Unusual Story Behind the Popular Flintstone's Song | Lunch Lady Helps Boy With Dwarfism At Lunch
h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: Youtube/THV11
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Receive Jesus - Your Daily Prayer - October 27
Authentic Christian faith is about accepting Jesus as he comes to us. Do you receive him as he presents himself to you?
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Receive Jesus - Your Daily Prayer - October 27
Authentic Christian faith is about accepting Jesus as he comes to us. Do you receive him as he presents himself to you?
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.