First Bionic Prosthesis in Belarus
Katya Poletilo, a young woman from Brest, Belarus, made history by becoming the first person in the country to receive a bioelectric prosthetic arm. Born with a rare condition known as aplasia of the left hand, where the hand fails to fully develop, Katya wore a cosmetic prosthesis throughout her childhood. However, at 17, she decided to take the next step and get a bionic one.
A Bionic Prosthesis Instead of a Cosmetic One
For many years, Katya used a prosthesis that only resembled a hand and served no functional purpose, other than for cosmetic reasons. Simple tasks that are easy for most people were once overwhelming challenges for her. However, everything changed five years ago when her mother learned about a Russian company developing bionic prostheses, including for children. Recognizing that such a device could significantly improve Katya’s life, her mother contacted the company and arranged a fitting. 
“By that time, the company hadn’t yet fitted prosthetics for Belarusians. But my mother managed to negotiate, and within a month, we were in Moscow for the procedure. I had my bionic hand by December 2019,” Katya recalls.
The cost of the device, which amounted to tens of thousands of dollars, was covered with the help of the international charity Unihelp, which found sponsors for the project.
Everyday Life with a Bionic Prosthesis in Belarus
Now 22, Katya uses her bioelectric prosthesis every day. Unlike her previous cosmetic prosthesis, this one connects to her nervous system using electrodes. When she tenses the muscles inside her arm, the prosthetic hand closes, and when she relaxes, it opens. The prosthesis is equipped with sensors that allow for one-finger grasping, enabling Katya to perform simple tasks like gripping objects or holding onto things.
“I’ve developed strong arm muscles over time because I always trained my arm by bending and extending it with weights before I got the prosthesis,” Katya explains. “Now, after getting the prosthetic hand and undergoing rehabilitation, I had no issues adapting to it.”
She admits that sometimes she feels like a cyborg, especially when passersby react to her unique device.
New Opportunities and Benefits of the Bionic Prosthesis
Despite feeling a bit like a cyborg at times, Katya enjoys the attention. “Honestly, I like it. Before, people would point at me and say I was without a hand. But now they see things differently. Sometimes a kid will say, ‘Mom, look, that girl is a robot. I want one too!'” she says with a smile.
The prosthesis is charged every few days using a phone charger cable (Type-C), and Katya finds it very easy to use. “It’s simple to charge; I usually do it once every four days, depending on usage,” she explains.
A Prosthesis that Changed Her Life
In her professional life, Katya works as an agronomist in a farming organization near Brest. She finds her job interesting and is an active participant in planting and maintaining crops. “During the sowing season, I approach the seeding machine, set it up, and monitor the seed planting rate,” she adds.
In her free time, Katya enjoys baking, and having the prosthesis has made it much easier to do. “The prosthesis really helps me hold things while I use my other hand to prepare dough, whip eggs, or remove hot pots from the stove,” she says.
Katya believes that she can often do more than people with two hands, as her prosthesis allows her to perform tasks more efficiently. “I no longer feel limited by what others might think about me as an ‘invalid.’ I understand that, in fact, I can do things that many others can’t,” she concludes.
