Claws from Carter
Donation protected
We started on this journey a few months ago with little expectation and very high hope. Our vision for Claws from Carter was simple; to help as many children as possible achieve self-confidence and independence through a cost free, donation based program. Through generous contributions from friends & family of Carter, as well as the community, we are happy to report that Claws from Carter is now in full swing.
To date, we have successfully created and delivered our first hand to a 4 year old boy named Carter from Byron Center, MI and we are currently in the process of building 3 more hands. Again, our goal for Claws from Carter is to help as many children and families as possible. Through persistent exposure of this page, and its followers sharing Carters story, we hope to continue to reach those in need.
Moving forward, our hopes for this project are to continue to provide these 3D printed hands to those in need on a cost free basis. Claws from Carter will never require a family to purchase or provide materials in order to receive a hand. This is strictly a donation based project; to hold true to that, we are relying on donations from the general public. All further donations will fund the materials used to print, assemble, and ship our 3D printed limbs to children around the globe. This will require ongoing exposure of the Claws from Carter Facebook page , our GoFundMe , and of course, further donations.
Thank you all for your continued donations and support.
-Mike & Carter
Here are a couple examples of how our non-profit organization has already affected recipient families:
"As a parent we all want our child to be happy, healthy, successful and able.
As a parent of a child with a limb difference there are worries and wonders of IF or HOW.
I can tell you our son Carter has shown us he is happy, healthy, successful and totally able.
As Carter has grown we as parents have picked up on his shyness about his "lucky fin". He will hide it at times when in new group situations, like at the park. As a parent this is difficult to watch. We want to help him, we want him to be proud of who he is, we want him to show others just how wonderful he is.
A few weeks ago Mr. Mike contacted us about wanting to make Carter a phoenix hand. We didn't know how to respond because our goal is for Carter to be proud of who he is and how he is. Would giving him a prosthetic hand make him think we didn't feel he was enough with what he had?
We met with Mr. Mike and his son Carter at the park where we saw the prosthetic hands and saw his Carter use his own prosthetic arm.
Carter expressed he would like a "robot hand", a green and yellow with Batman logo robot hand to be exact. Mr. Mike was very responsive and easy to work with. He had Carter's robot hand just as he asked, green and yellow with Batman, ready in one week!
Carter has had his hand for 2 days and the confidence it has given him is astounding. He's been practicing picking items up and releasing them. He's been giving high fives and said "look Mom I can clap my hands".
While at the park on Sunday Carter (who did not have his robot hand on) walks right up to an older girl and said "I'm Carter and I'm 4 want to play"? Sitting on the bench with a few tears in my eyes I wondered "who is this newly confident guy"? I know the confidence came from his new hand. I heard him say to the little girl "I have a new robot hand and I can high five and clap now". The gift Mr Mike gave to our child is immeasurable. The confidence it has given Carter is incomparable to anything I have experienced and in such a short time is amazing.
We are forever grateful for Mr. Mike and this blessing. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts." -Karen H.
(Carter H. receiving his Batman hand)
"So scrolling through my newsfeed and this pops up.. 3d printing has always interested me, so I started reading. Michael Campos's words brought tears to my eyes.. But then I see the name Ava and realize HEY THAT'S MY AVA'S HAND!! Squee!!!!! Ava does not know that this is in the works yet, quite the surprise :) Through many messages, pictures and measurements sent to the other side of the state, it's all coming together. Like a kid in the candy store I can't wait to see it in person!! Hopefully soon Ava will be able to meet Michael Campos who runs Claws from Carter in person and can shake his hand :)" -Michael S.
How it all began:
A few months ago I was giving my son, Carter, a bath and he turned to me and said "Daddy, will you build me a hand?” My heart hurt. There was nothing I could do for him at that moment. I told him that one day we would build him one when he gets older. He's asked me a few more times since then, and I keep telling him "soon, buddy"........
Hello! My name is Michael Campos. This is my dude, Carter. He has a below-the-elbow congenital amputation, which simply means he was born without a right hand.
For Carter's 4th birthday I was determined to get him riding a bike. This had been difficult for him in the past because he couldn't reach the handlebars with his right arm unless completely hunched over. It was neither practical nor enjoyable for him and prevented him from wanting to ride a bike.
After much research, I obtained a design for an adapter that would clamp onto the handlebar of his bike. It took an afternoon to build the device and looked prehistoric, but it did the job.
How we made the adapter
At Carter's 4th birthday I was able to give him his shiny new blue bike that he was able to ride!
While researching the adapter, I connected with E-Nable who provides blueprints for 3D printed hands. With these plans, anyone with a 3D printer can build these devices. After obtaining the blueprints, I began to research 3D printing in our area, which led me to Axislab 3D Printing. I reached out to them, and as it turns out, they have printed over 50 devices and have worked with over a dozen families.
Carter and I went and visited the lab. We met Aaron who is part of the E-Nable community and learned it only costs about $10 worth of material to print a hand for Carter. Aaron shared with me the biggest obstacle they face right now is too many different designs and not enough people to print them, try them, and provide feedback to the designers.
(Carter's hand that is currently in the build process at Axislab)
Aaron teaches a course on how to use a 3D printer and design blueprints. He also informed me that the printer he is going to use to print Carter's arm is available for just over $350. He is more than eager to lend his expertise in any way possible, if I'd like to start printing these devices and replacement pieces for people who need them.
I had already been talking with friends and family about how I'd like to build more bike adapters for kids who need them, but meeting with Aaron opened up many opportunities. It was suggested to me that I reach out and create a GoFundMe to help raise money for the 3D printer that Aaron recommended (), and the minimal cost of the initial building materials.
This is my vision and what your donation will support:
-Attending the 3D printing course offered by Aaron
-Purchasing a 3D printer
-Printing practice hands for Carter to test (per E-Nable's blueprints)
-Collaborating w/ E-Nable to offer 3D printed hands to families all over the country
Because the cost of materials is so nominal, this is possible on a donation basis. For example: someone sends me the required measurements, I print and assemble the device, and I send it out to them. After they receive the 3D printed hand, they have the opportunity to make a donation to our fund which is used to aide in the cost of printing hands for others. There would never be a fee, only the option to donate.
I'm an IT technician. I have the computer skills, I have the time, I have the space, I certainly have the passion, and I have Carter. I believe we would be the perfect candidates to undertake a project like this.
Last week when Carter asked again, “Daddy, will you build me a hand?” I was able to say, "Yeah dude, we are getting started on your hand next week." Carter didn't say anything, he grabbed on to me tightly, and the look on his face was priceless. Carter gets to ride his bike now, and he gets his 3D printed arm in a couple weeks. We would love nothing more than to provide other kids and their parents the same opportunities that Carter is getting. In order to help these families, we need a little help ourselves. We are asking for any and all support we can get. Anything you have to offer, even $5, will help us to help others. As a parent, nothing felt better than watching Carter's delight with these amazing opportunities. Please Help Carter and I give other families these same opportunities.
Thank you for hearing our story!
Please contine to share!
Thank you, everyone!
-Mike & Carter
To date, we have successfully created and delivered our first hand to a 4 year old boy named Carter from Byron Center, MI and we are currently in the process of building 3 more hands. Again, our goal for Claws from Carter is to help as many children and families as possible. Through persistent exposure of this page, and its followers sharing Carters story, we hope to continue to reach those in need.
Moving forward, our hopes for this project are to continue to provide these 3D printed hands to those in need on a cost free basis. Claws from Carter will never require a family to purchase or provide materials in order to receive a hand. This is strictly a donation based project; to hold true to that, we are relying on donations from the general public. All further donations will fund the materials used to print, assemble, and ship our 3D printed limbs to children around the globe. This will require ongoing exposure of the Claws from Carter Facebook page , our GoFundMe , and of course, further donations.
Thank you all for your continued donations and support.
-Mike & Carter
Here are a couple examples of how our non-profit organization has already affected recipient families:
"As a parent we all want our child to be happy, healthy, successful and able.
As a parent of a child with a limb difference there are worries and wonders of IF or HOW.
I can tell you our son Carter has shown us he is happy, healthy, successful and totally able.
As Carter has grown we as parents have picked up on his shyness about his "lucky fin". He will hide it at times when in new group situations, like at the park. As a parent this is difficult to watch. We want to help him, we want him to be proud of who he is, we want him to show others just how wonderful he is.
A few weeks ago Mr. Mike contacted us about wanting to make Carter a phoenix hand. We didn't know how to respond because our goal is for Carter to be proud of who he is and how he is. Would giving him a prosthetic hand make him think we didn't feel he was enough with what he had?
We met with Mr. Mike and his son Carter at the park where we saw the prosthetic hands and saw his Carter use his own prosthetic arm.
Carter expressed he would like a "robot hand", a green and yellow with Batman logo robot hand to be exact. Mr. Mike was very responsive and easy to work with. He had Carter's robot hand just as he asked, green and yellow with Batman, ready in one week!
Carter has had his hand for 2 days and the confidence it has given him is astounding. He's been practicing picking items up and releasing them. He's been giving high fives and said "look Mom I can clap my hands".
While at the park on Sunday Carter (who did not have his robot hand on) walks right up to an older girl and said "I'm Carter and I'm 4 want to play"? Sitting on the bench with a few tears in my eyes I wondered "who is this newly confident guy"? I know the confidence came from his new hand. I heard him say to the little girl "I have a new robot hand and I can high five and clap now". The gift Mr Mike gave to our child is immeasurable. The confidence it has given Carter is incomparable to anything I have experienced and in such a short time is amazing.
We are forever grateful for Mr. Mike and this blessing. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts." -Karen H.
(Carter H. receiving his Batman hand)"So scrolling through my newsfeed and this pops up.. 3d printing has always interested me, so I started reading. Michael Campos's words brought tears to my eyes.. But then I see the name Ava and realize HEY THAT'S MY AVA'S HAND!! Squee!!!!! Ava does not know that this is in the works yet, quite the surprise :) Through many messages, pictures and measurements sent to the other side of the state, it's all coming together. Like a kid in the candy store I can't wait to see it in person!! Hopefully soon Ava will be able to meet Michael Campos who runs Claws from Carter in person and can shake his hand :)" -Michael S.
How it all began:
A few months ago I was giving my son, Carter, a bath and he turned to me and said "Daddy, will you build me a hand?” My heart hurt. There was nothing I could do for him at that moment. I told him that one day we would build him one when he gets older. He's asked me a few more times since then, and I keep telling him "soon, buddy"........
Hello! My name is Michael Campos. This is my dude, Carter. He has a below-the-elbow congenital amputation, which simply means he was born without a right hand.
For Carter's 4th birthday I was determined to get him riding a bike. This had been difficult for him in the past because he couldn't reach the handlebars with his right arm unless completely hunched over. It was neither practical nor enjoyable for him and prevented him from wanting to ride a bike.
After much research, I obtained a design for an adapter that would clamp onto the handlebar of his bike. It took an afternoon to build the device and looked prehistoric, but it did the job.
How we made the adapter At Carter's 4th birthday I was able to give him his shiny new blue bike that he was able to ride!
While researching the adapter, I connected with E-Nable who provides blueprints for 3D printed hands. With these plans, anyone with a 3D printer can build these devices. After obtaining the blueprints, I began to research 3D printing in our area, which led me to Axislab 3D Printing. I reached out to them, and as it turns out, they have printed over 50 devices and have worked with over a dozen families.
Carter and I went and visited the lab. We met Aaron who is part of the E-Nable community and learned it only costs about $10 worth of material to print a hand for Carter. Aaron shared with me the biggest obstacle they face right now is too many different designs and not enough people to print them, try them, and provide feedback to the designers.
(Carter's hand that is currently in the build process at Axislab)Aaron teaches a course on how to use a 3D printer and design blueprints. He also informed me that the printer he is going to use to print Carter's arm is available for just over $350. He is more than eager to lend his expertise in any way possible, if I'd like to start printing these devices and replacement pieces for people who need them.
I had already been talking with friends and family about how I'd like to build more bike adapters for kids who need them, but meeting with Aaron opened up many opportunities. It was suggested to me that I reach out and create a GoFundMe to help raise money for the 3D printer that Aaron recommended (), and the minimal cost of the initial building materials.
This is my vision and what your donation will support:
-Attending the 3D printing course offered by Aaron
-Purchasing a 3D printer
-Printing practice hands for Carter to test (per E-Nable's blueprints)
-Collaborating w/ E-Nable to offer 3D printed hands to families all over the country
Because the cost of materials is so nominal, this is possible on a donation basis. For example: someone sends me the required measurements, I print and assemble the device, and I send it out to them. After they receive the 3D printed hand, they have the opportunity to make a donation to our fund which is used to aide in the cost of printing hands for others. There would never be a fee, only the option to donate.
I'm an IT technician. I have the computer skills, I have the time, I have the space, I certainly have the passion, and I have Carter. I believe we would be the perfect candidates to undertake a project like this.
Last week when Carter asked again, “Daddy, will you build me a hand?” I was able to say, "Yeah dude, we are getting started on your hand next week." Carter didn't say anything, he grabbed on to me tightly, and the look on his face was priceless. Carter gets to ride his bike now, and he gets his 3D printed arm in a couple weeks. We would love nothing more than to provide other kids and their parents the same opportunities that Carter is getting. In order to help these families, we need a little help ourselves. We are asking for any and all support we can get. Anything you have to offer, even $5, will help us to help others. As a parent, nothing felt better than watching Carter's delight with these amazing opportunities. Please Help Carter and I give other families these same opportunities.
Thank you for hearing our story!
Please contine to share!
Thank you, everyone!
-Mike & Carter
Organizer
Michael Campos
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI