Friends raise money to give local woman a Hero Arm

WILMINGTON, Ohio (WKRC) – A local woman has lived 20 years without a left hand. Friends are trying to raise money to give her a “Hero Arm.” Hayley Wilson doesn't know life any other way. She's never had a left hand. The 20-year-old was born with a birth defect called amniotic band syndrome. “I did learn to tie my own shoes when I was little. I learned basically how to do everything,” she said. Wilson had to adapt to her own circumstances. She didn't look like every other kid in school. “I did get made fun of a lot through my school years, but it didn't really break me down,” she said. It motivated her. She played basketball for Blanchester from fifth grade through her senior year. That's how she met her boyfriend and his grandmother, Debra Vance. “My grandson is out to make this girl's life a good one,” said Vance. Two years ago, Wilson’s boyfriend discovered the "Hero Arm." It's a 3D printed bionic arm. It would allow her to grip and move her fingers. “I have always thought what it's like to be able to reach for something with your left hand or grab something. I wouldn't say I need it, but I would like to have it for my nursing career,” said Wilson. The catch: It's $18,000. “It's like Hayley, you can do this. We can do this. I will help,” said Vance. Vance started a GoFundMe page because she said Wilson deserves this. It would make her current job as a home health aide and future job as a nurse a whole lot easier. “I don't want to get my hopes up. If I don't end up getting it, then it wasn't meant to be. I was meant to stay the way that I am,” said Wilson.

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