July 9, 2008 Man gets "bionic hand" after accident Play video

(NECN/ABC) - The accident happened just about a year ago at the mill where James Bristol was working. He lost his hand while clearing a jam in his table saw. He is now in the process of re-training his brain and his body ... With the help of a bionic hand. Brian wood has the fantastic story.

James Bristol " I wouldn't say I feel like Steve Austin, the hand doesn't have the ability to punch through a wall but at least I can grab the wall."

IT'S ALL ABOUT BABY STEPS. JAMES BRISTOL HAS ENDURED MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND MONTHS OF RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION SINCE THE ACCIDENT. AND HE'S JUST NOW GETTING THE HANG OF HIS NEW HAND.

James Bristol " you feel like a little kids that's learning to walk again."

IT'S THE WORLD'S FIRST BIONIC HAND THAT LOOKS AND AND ACTS LIKE A REAL HUMAN ONE, THANKS TO THE REVOLUTIONARY I-(EYE)-LIMB TECHNOLOGY.

FIVE INDIVIDUAL MOTORS POWER EACH FINGER MAKING IT EASIER TO DO EVERYDAY THINGS, THAT BECAME SO DIFFICULT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

JUST DRINKING A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEARING OPEN A PACKET OF SUGAR HAD BEEN DIFFICULT. BUT BECAUSE OF THE MODERN MARVELS OF TECHNOLOGY... HE HAS MUCH MORE RANGE OF MOTION.

James Bristol " The older ones they really limited you on what you could and couldn't do"

IT'S A FIRST FOR JOEL RINTA OF HANGER PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS TOO.

JAMES IS HIS FIRST PATIENT TO USE THE BIONIC HAND.

" His attitude has been fantastic he's been nothing but positive."

THAT'S

BECAUSE, DESPITE LOSING HIS HAND, JAMES SAYS HE HAS A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR. " I could have lost my arm... I could have lost a lot of things."