Happy : Abbi Jillians has been given a pink hand through the pioneering 3D printer technology . The first thing four-year-old Abbi Jillians wanted to do when scientists gave her a new hand was brush her Barbie doll ’ s hair . The youngster – who was born with a just a thumb on her left hand – has been given the pink hand through the pioneering 3D printer technology . She has now been using her new hand to pick up objects around her house , ride her bike , and even pinch her dad on the bottom . Full-time mum Julie Jillians , of Tavistock , Devon , started a campaign to find local access to a 3D printer three months ago and said the new hand had revolutionised her daughter ’ s life . The 47-year-old said : ‘ When we got home , the first thing she did was pick up her dolly so she could brush her hair with two hands . ‘ That is one thing she always wanted to do . She had always loved her dolls and wanted to dress them - but I ended up always having to do it for her . ‘ It is amazing and wonderful to see her do it herself . She is just like any other girl - Barbie is her favourite . ‘ This is just so special for Abbi . The smile on my daughter ’ s face is from ear to ear with a bow round the back . ‘ I am now finding things all over the house . There are apples upstairs . She ’ s even managed to pinch her daddy ’ s bum . ‘ It ’ s fantastic . The determination on her face is the sweetest thing , and the fact she ’ s willing to receive the hand and willing to work at learning to use it. ’ The hand works by opening and closing when Abbi bends her wrist up or down . It has a Velcro which straps around her palm and the gauntlet sits on her arm . Abbi had an operation at 18 months old , taking parts of her toes to give her a bigger palm , and replacing the toes with hip bone . But her mother said she and husband Jim , 34 , would not consider any more operations after seeing the success of her hand . She said : ‘ It is fantastic and we just can ’ t stop her using it . She wants to wear it all the time and can not believe what she has now got . New lease : Julie Jillians says the pink hand has changed Abbi 's life and the four-year-old has been testing out the new kit by picking things up and putting them down all over the house . Abbi 's hand costs around £50 in materials to print a hand , so new limbs can be created as she grows . ‘ She is still building up her strength and getting used to it - and she can not hold anything too heavy . ‘ But she is going around picking everything up , from cups to fruit , and playing with all the toys she was never able to before . ’ She loves dress-up as well and is finding that a lot easier now she has two hands . Abbi 's hand is among designs available on a global database of 3D printer prosthetics and comes in 30 colours . It was printed in around 20 pieces which were put together with elastic bands before a professional helped to fit it . The hand is attached to Abbi ’ s arm with Velcro straps . She can control it by twisting her wrist to tighten the bands . The 3D printer was provided by IT firm Midwich , and the Enabling The Future website printed it out and helped fit it . A Midwich spokesman said NHS prosthetics were usually for aesthetic purposes only and did not move or grip . He added that it costs around £50 in materials to print a hand , so new limbs can be created as a child grows . ‘ She was never able to ride a bike before as her hands would slip off the handlebars . But she is now riding it around the house . ‘ The technology is fantastic . The more she gets to use it , the stronger her wrist and arm will become . There is no way I would consider another operation for her now - this is just way too functional . ‘ Because her muscles aren ’ t as developed in that arm , we keep having to take it off her so she doesn ’ t overdo it . But in time the muscles will get stronger and she ’ ll be able to use it more and more . ‘ It ’ s not going to be a permanent fixture on her arm but it ’ s there as and when she needs two hands. ’ Abbi , who is in reception class at school , said of her new hand : ‘ I love wearing it so much . I want to wear it forever and ever. ’ Mrs Jillians launched the appeal for organisations with a 3D printer to help Abbi , and the FabLab at Plymouth College of Art , with the help of IT firm Midwitch , came forward . The family has since raised nearly £4,000 to get a nearby school kitted out with a 3D printer to help other children in a similar position to Abbi .
Abbi Jillians , 18 months old , was born with just a thumb on her left hand . She now has a pink prosthetic hand through 3D printer tech . It costs £50 to print , so new limbs can be created as she grows .