David Aguilar, like many children, spent his childhood building with Lego bricks. While other kids made model aeroplanes and toy towns out of the plastic bricks, David built functional life-size prosthetic arms. This unique talent stemmed from his diagnosis of Poland syndrome at birth, a condition that led to the partial development of his muscles and the absence of his right forearm.
Growing up, David struggled with feeling different and was bullied at school. Seeking solace in his bedroom, he turned to Lego as a way to escape reality. It was through his love for building with Lego that he created his first prosthetic arm. When he revealed his invention to his schoolmates, they were amazed, boosting his self-esteem and inspiring him to continue improving his designs for functionality and comfort.
With each new version of his Lego prostheses, David’s abilities improved. The MK1 allowed him to do push-ups, while the MK2 gave him the dexterity to pick up a sandwich. Recognizing the potential impact of his creations, David shared a tutorial on building a prosthetic arm out of Lego on YouTube, hoping to help others facing similar challenges.
The simplicity of his designs has made them easy to reproduce, and David’s passion for helping others has earned him a Guinness World Record and opportunities to speak at conferences around the world. Using his congenital anomaly as a platform for inspiration, David continues to work towards creating a better world for those in need of prosthetic limbs.