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Viraj Jayam
Grade 11
Hometown: Roslyn Heights, New York
School: The Wheatley School, Old Westbury, New York
Program: Helping Hands Long Island
Imagine a child laborer losing a hand in a factory accident. Viraj Jayam, a child himself, was stunned when he visited his native homeland of India and learned this had happened to a friend. Viraj returned to the United States wondering how he could help his friend and millions of others around the world who cannot afford prosthetics. He became captivated with the idea of using 3D printing to create affordable prosthetics. “Through much trial and error, I gained knowledge of how to orient the printer on three axes and found the appropriate printing material and proportions for the different pieces to produce a working hand,” said Viraj. “Once the parts were printed, I molded, assembled and created my first prosthetic hand—an amazing feeling.”
Viraj’s friend was the first of dozens of recipients to receive a “helping hand.” Viraj witnessed his friend pick up a bottle minutes after receiving his prosthesis. Unfortunately, the technology currently has limitations for creating prostheses for lower limbs, but the young man says he is committed to pursuing solutions.
To learn more about Helping Hands Long Island, visit www.helpinghandslongisland.com
He intends to use his POCA grant to increase his supply of materials and 3D printers. During the peak of the spring 2020 COVID-19 crisis in New York, Helping Hands Long Island pivoted to help frontline workers by creating face shields and hands-free door handles for local hospitals.
