Nowadays, technology has improved significantly from an advanced myoelectric arm or a computerized prosthetic leg controlled by muscle movements to a self-stabilizing stair-climbing electric wheelchair that takes its users to once-inaccessible places. Some implants allow hearing and severely physically impaired people to control computers and other devices using their thoughts. All these technologies would make a tremendous difference in the life our students.
These are, however, still very expensive for a regular family. A prosthetic arm or leg typically costs $10,000- 100,000, and the high prosthetic devices are mostly not covered by the insurance. On top of that, these need to be replaced every x amount of years. The wheelchair costs 40,500 plus $1,100 for pre-order. Hopefully, in the near future, regular families will have access to these life-changing technologies.
