 A seven-year-old boy born without an arm has been able to hold a fishing rod with two hands for the first time – after receiving a £13,000 bionic limb. Alex Sparkes spent birthdays 'wishing his arm would grow', only to be left heartbroken when he was told it wasn't possible. But the youngster has been gifted a 'life-changing' prosthetic arm by 'Britain's kindest plumber' James Anderson, 55, who was touched by Alex's moving tale. Since receiving his Black Panther-themed arm, Alex has been able to put toothpaste on his toothbrush for the first time and will learn how to tie his shoelaces. And Alex is ecstatic to have finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of holding a rod for the first time during a fishing trip with his dad Robin Sparkes, 31. The youngster has been pictured reeling in fish with Robin at Cornfield Fisheries in Lancashire. Teaching assistant Robin said: 'With his new hero arm, he's a lot more independent, I don't have to be there by his side all the time with the fishing rod or by the bankside. Alex fishing with his new Hero Arm with Dad Robin Sparkes, 31 (Picture: William Lailey / SWNS) Alex spent birthdays 'wishing his arm would grow' (Picture: William Lailey / SWNS) 'I'm confident in the knowledge he can handle the rod on his own and he's able to catch his own fish. 'I had to constantly be there whenever he handled the road, especially if he had a decent-sized fish on, just in case the weight pulled on his right arm. 'But now I can take a bit of a step back and watch over his shoulder as he's fishing rather than having to constantly having to manage him with it. 'We're realising what he couldn't do before, rather than what he can do now. 'He's becoming that more independent in and around the house, but also outside the house.' Alex said his arm is 'amazing', adding: 'I can now pick up stuff. I like that I can hold the rod. I feel happy when I'm fishing, I've got tw){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A seven-year-old boy born without an arm has been able to hold a fishing rod with two hands for the first time – after receiving a £13,000 bionic limb.
Alex Sparkes spent birthdays ‘wishing his arm would grow’, only to be left heartbroken when he was told it wasn’t possible.
But the youngster has been gifted a ‘life-changing’ prosthetic arm by ‘Britain’s kindest plumber’ James Anderson, 55, who was touched by Alex’s moving tale.
Since receiving his Black Panther-themed arm, Alex has been able to put toothpaste on his toothbrush for the first time and will learn how to tie his shoelaces.