Life-Changing Magic: Artfully designed medical prosthetics deliver hope

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02:54

Today marks the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. An estimated one billion people worldwide live with disabilities. For some, physical dis-figurement can lead to exclusion and isolation. But there is hope. As CGTN's Dan Williams now reports.

The moment a new prosthetic finger is fitted. Once on, Gregory Gion sets about color matching the finger with the rest of the patient's hand. At this stage, it is simply down to the skill of the prosthetist to make the finger look as realistic as possible.

GREGORY GION, ANAPLASTOLOGIST & PROSTHETIST MEDICAL ART PROSTHETICS CLINIC "Our focus is right away, how can we make a really convincing, natural, lifelike prosthesis that exhibits all the skin-like natural qualities. Such that, when they put their prosthesis on, and look in the mirror they can feel really confident that people aren't even going to notice it."

DAN WILLIAMS MADISON, WISCONSIN "It's a painstaking, intricate process in order to create each prosthetic part. The attention to detail has to be at the highest level in order to provide the patient with a satisfactory outcome."

First, a preliminary mold is taken of the region where the part is required. Where possible, a mold is also taken of the opposite unaffected area. A 3D printer is then used to make the final mold.

JIM HOGUE MEDICAL ARTIST & ANAPLASTOLOGIST MEDICAL ART PROSTHETICS CLINIC "You are trying to hit a perfect thing. You are trying to make something plastic look like living tissue. And you can get pretty darn close."

For some, the prosthetic is life changing. Mary lost her nose in an accident two years ago.

MARY DONLEY PROSTHETIC NOSE PATIENT "Overnight my life changed. Just like overnight. And I kept saying I wish I were dead, I wish I were dead. There is no acceptance for someone like me. You are a freak. You are the freak on the street."

Deciding she had little to lose, she underwent a fitting for a prosthetic nose.

MARY DONLEY PROSTHETIC NOSE PATIENT "I cried. I just started crying. I was like my god. I look human. When it happens and they put it on you. Your soul just lifts out of hell and darkness."

In the future, it is hoped advancements in technology will bring even greater improvements to both the mechanics of prosthetics as well as the overall aesthetic. Mary also hopes society will change and become more accepting. But in the meantime, she has this message for other sufferers.

MARY DONLEY PROSTHETIC NOSE PATIENT "There is hope. Don't give up."

Dan Williams, CGTN, Madison, Wisconsin.