Whiz kids make prosthetic hand in library's community laboratory

ESCONDIDO, CALIFORNIA — A California man who just received a new prosthetic hand can thank some unlikely creators.

The only thing more surprising than who made it, is where it comes from.

Nick Sissakis finally got to experience one of life's great pleasures for the first time - scratching his back with the hand he's never had.

After walking into the library a few months back, the 39 year old dad stumbled upon the Innovations Lab - a creative and collaborative space where tech savvy librarians work with community members to make stuff.

Prosthetics was uncharted territory here, but Calexis and Calramon Mabalot -- owners of Brother Robot, an Escondido based 3-D printing company they started last year -- were undaunted.

Using 3-D scanners the brothers and lab staff fitted Nick's arm and over the next few months inched closer to a working prototype.

Finally last week -- for the first time -- a breakthrough with a bottle of water.

"Last week was the absolute first time I've ever picked something up and the rush of emotions through me was amazing," recalls Nick.

The Mabalot brothers helped make a prosthetic hand for pennies on the dollar compared to the real world price - which is why Nick hasn't had one until now.

"A prosthetic that I'm looking at purchasing in the past was up to 60-thousand dollars."

Now the brothers want to make it better.

Today he can do more than just joke around, he can actually hold his daughter's hand -- with either one of his -- an invaluable creation thanks to a pair of whiz kids and the modern day librarians inside the library.

The brothers will be making the finalized prosthetic with their professional grade 3-D printer at home-- which they built themselves in just 4 days.

Cox Media Group