{"id":121588,"date":"2023-11-12T22:10:26","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T22:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gendermyn.com\/?p=121588"},"modified":"2023-11-12T22:10:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-12T22:10:26","slug":"former-blacksmith-fitted-with-bionic-arm-now-training-to-set-world-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gendermyn.com\/world-news\/former-blacksmith-fitted-with-bionic-arm-now-training-to-set-world-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Former blacksmith fitted with ‘bionic’ arm now training to set world record"},"content":{"rendered":"

A former blacksmith who lost his arm in a workplace accident last year, is now training to set a world record for the most weight bench pressed with a prosthetic limb. <\/p>\n

John Whitman, 41, to undergo 36 operations before his arm was amputated below the elbow to save his life from sepsis.<\/p>\n

The 41-year-old, who now works as an Argos sales assistant, shared: "After the amputation I just felt lost. All the operations and pain just became who I was." He added, "It is such a big, life changing experience. It took a toll mentally and physically. It was very draining on not just myself but the family as well. Everything gets flipped upside down." <\/p>\n

READ MORE: Kate Middleton pays subtle nod to late Queen Elizabeth at Remembrance Sunday<\/b><\/p>\n

To read more injury related stories from the Daily Star, click here <\/b><\/p>\n

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"But I was very fortunate to have the right sort of backing from my family. They have given me the drive to be more motivated than before because I have to try and push myself harder." John continued, "Every day can be a challenge, but I take each day as it comes and try to embrace those obstacles."<\/p>\n

John, hailing from Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, has been determined to regain independence since the accident. Earlier this year, he was fitted with a customised 3D printed prosthetic arm – the Hero Flex – by Open Bionics. He said: "When I was lying in my hospital bed, I looked up the different types of prosthetics you could have and what would be available to me at the time. "<\/p>\n

"I was offered an NHS prosthetic, which was great. But Open Bionic contacted me and invited me for an experience day where they gave me a presentation on what they offered<\/p>\n

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