Today, I printed a Dummy 13 action figure with my 3D printer.
Sixty-one components waited to be assembled.
It felt great to shape a fully functional body with my hands—
the precise fit, the satisfying click as parts snapped into place.
Smooth plastic, bright colours,
an hour of patient work,
until the Dummy stood lifelike, joints moving as a human’s.
I am paralyzed from the chest down,
yet it gave me freedom to manipulate the figure.
I performed physiotherapy on it—lifting legs,
bending knees, flexing ankles, moving toes.
After a while, I grew bored,
and made him sit atop my computer.
A sword in his right hand, a gun in his left.
Seeing the Dummy perched there made me feel superior.
At least my arms and head still obey me.
