Girl Who Survived Shark Attack Gives ‘Thumbs Up’ With New Robotic Hand
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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A 12-year-old girl who lost her hand due to a shark attack in North Carolina was able to give her parents a “thumbs up” when trying out her new prosthetic hand recently.
Kiersten Johnson suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a shark in June. She lost the lower portion of her left arm and suffered bites on her leg in the attack.
Kiersten’s mother Laurie Yow gave an update with a Facebook post on Wednesday on how her daughter was doing. Yow said Kiersten was able to try out her hand and even a give a thumbs up during her final fitting.
“This hand amazes me and we hope that when Kiersten gets the final version, she will continue to adapt and relearn several tasks,” Yow wrote on Facebook. “Here is a quick video from today. She picked up how to use it fairly quickly, but it will take a lot more practice.”
In the video, Kiersten was able to make a fist, extend her fingers and give a thumbs up to her family.
“We are looking forward to the special delivery just in time for Christmas!” Yow wrote of getting the prosthetic for Kiersten.
Yow did not immediately respond to a request from ABC News for further comment.
Kiersten was one of two people attacked on the same day in June on a beach in Oak Island, North Carolina. A 16-year-old boy lost part of his arm in an attack that took place just two miles from where Kiersten was attacked, authorities said.
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