Photo: Sumner County Schools / Kelly Flood
Like many students, Sergio Peralta began his school year nervous about fitting in.
The 15-year-old, a new kid at Hendersonville High School outside of Nashville, Tenn., was particularly concerned with what his peers would think of his right hand, which had never fully formed.
Speaking to CBS News, Peralta saidon his first day of school, he “honestly felt like hiding” his hand in his sleeve, “like nobody would ever find out.”
But his classmates, to his surprise, supported him in a way he never expected.
“They changed my life,” Peralta saidwhile telling his inspiring story.
The teen recounted how the school’s engineering teacher, Jeff Wilkins, came and told him that his fellow students might be able to help.
“They ended up offering me, like, ‘We could build your prosthetic hand,’ and I never expected it,” he told CBS News, “Like, never in a million years.”
Sumner County Schools / Kelly Flood
Three students used their access to online models of prostheses and a 3D printer to make a plan. After four weeks, their project came to fruition.
“You’re supposed to be engineering, coming up with new ideas, solving issues,” Jaramillo said. “Just making things better than how they used to be.”
RELATED VIDEO: Former Soldier Who Lost Both Legs Becomes First Above-the-Knee Double Amputee to Climb Matterhorn
Bob Cotter, the high school’s principal, toldBBCthat his students are encouraged to turn concepts “into reality,” telling the outlet that Peralta’s new prosthesis is “a testament to the students who care about each other and the program that Jeff Wilkins has built.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“When I caught it for the first time, everyone started freaking out,” Peralta said with a smile. “It was the first time I caught a ball with my right hand in [my] 15 years.”
source: people.com
