Hello, my name is Branden Wolfe. I am 14 years old. I recently lost my right dominant hand in a terrible accident. I was airlifted and then hospitalized for many weeks.

I had a few surgeries to try to save my hand for possible reconstruction, but infections began to take over and my life was at grave risk. This resulted in the amputation of my hand.

I was very scared but my doctors were great, they took good care of me and continue to do so.

Many friends, family and even strangers came to visit me in the hospital. It is because of all these wonderful people that I am moving forward with life. I know I have many challenges ahead but I can face them easier knowing I am surrounded by the love of many.

Currently, I am scheduled to be fitted with a metal hook replacement hand. Although this will give me some functionality, it is a far cry from having my hand with 5 fingers back.

The i-Limb is the first commercially available bionic hand replacement. It features 5 digits that act just like real fingers! It’s even covered with a material that makes it look like a real hand! With this hand, people won’t see me just for my handicap and I will be able to shake hands with confidence. It will allow me to be as prosperous as if I had my original hand.

We recently won the approval for the i-Limb, but the insurance company will only cover 80%. The i-Limb will cost roughly $80,000. My mom is working on a bill, #S1672, which will help all New Yorkers get the prosthetics that they want. Unfortunately, bills can take years to pass, if it even passes at all!

I am still doing great in school, maintaining honors, but I miss sports. My mom is working with Hanger_Orthopedic_Group,_Inc. in Albany NY to try to make me a special lacrosse stick as well as a sleeve to wear for football protection. It will be great to get back to playing sports, but if I had the i-Limb I could be doing that and so much more.

The Give_Branden_A_Hand fund raiser is to help raise money for an i-Limb and help cover my medical expenses.

Thank you for reading my story!

-Branden Wolfe

This is the i-Limb.
It can look and act
just like a real hand!