It’s the ‘best Christmas present’ ever

Forget the Barbie Dream House or her two front teeth — this 8-year-old got a “bionic” arm for Christmas.

Thalia Coultas, who was born with only one full arm, became the youngest person in the United Kingdom to receive a $16,500 bionic “hero arm” from Open Bionics. Now, she can open her Christmas gifts on Monday morning with both hands — and even plans to cut into her holiday dinner all by herself.

“It has taken her time to build and train the muscles in her forearm to use it,” Thalia’s mom, 41-year-old Kerrie Coultas, told South West News Service. “Now she can hold a knife and fork, do up her coat and open presents — simple things we all take for granted.”

She quipped: “Amazingly, it hasn’t helped her tidy her room though!”

Before obtaining the new limb last year — which her mom calls the “best Christmas present” ever — she adapted to life by completing tasks with only one hand.

“It’s completely changed her life — she has always been independent but it gives her an extra option if she’s struggling,” Kerrie continued.

“This year will be a reminder that no Christmas present will top that one for a long time.”

While she attempted to use an array of prosthetics previously, they lacked the technology to move and instead were more like a “stick on the end of her arm,” explained Kerrie, who found out her daughter’s left arm hadn’t formed properly while 20 weeks pregnant.

It wasn’t until Thalia started inquiring about a “robot arm” that the Selby, North Yorkshire, family looked into the company Open Bionics, which typically doesn’t provide “hero arms” to children under 8 years old — but they made an exception.

At the time, Thalia, then 7, “surprised herself” by how quickly she picked up the tech.

“Thalia not having an arm or wrist — she never had to use those muscles — for her to locate where they are is tough enough,” Kerrie continued.

“For her to locate them to hit a sensor, it takes some work — but she did it.”

After fundraising more than $16,000 to afford the bionic limb, it was “the best day” when they embarked on the four-hour drive to pick up the prosthetic.

“When she opened it up in the design she had picked and put it on the first time — she even got the thumb to move on it!” Kerrie recalled.

Something as simple as applying toothpaste on a toothbrush was once a hurdle for the young girl but quickly became easier.

Last year, she was finally able to tear open Christmas presents with both hands and this year plans to tackle cutting her holiday feast by herself.

“Last year it took a lot of concentration and focus to use because it’s a heavy piece of machinery for her upper arm to control,” said Kerrie, who previously would cut up Thalia’s food for her.

“This year she should have no problem doing it by herself.”